Wat wil jy hê?
The English phrase "what do you want?" is translated into Afrikaans as Wat wil jy hê?
Wat wil jy hê? is a question used to ask someone about their desires or what they would like to have.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "What want you have?" because the verb hê (to have) is required to complete the sense of wanting something.
Which one should you use?
While Wat wil jy? is grammatically possible, Wat wil jy hê? is the standard way to ask what someone wants to possess or obtain.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing 'jy' with 'u' makes the question polite and formal, resulting in Wat wil u hê?
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, Wat wil jy? without the hê can sound impatient or aggressive. It is often used in arguments to mean 'What is your problem?' rather than a genuine question about desire.
- While Wat wil jy hê? asks what someone wants, a slight shift to Wat soek jy? is often used in shops. Though soek means 'seek' or 'search', it is the standard way to ask what a customer is looking for.
- In South Africa, using jy instead of u with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as overly bold or even disrespectful. The choice of pronoun transforms the question from a polite inquiry into a direct challenge.
