Gaining basic language skills can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you explore how to express common words and phrases in different languages. One word that transcends barriers and is essential in everyday conversations is “what.” In this guide, we will explore how to say “what” in various languages, including both formal and informal ways. Let’s embark on this exciting linguistic journey together!
Table of Contents
English
In English, “what” is a versatile word that can be used in any setting. When asking “what” informally, you can simply say:
“What?”
For a more formal approach, consider saying:
“Pardon me, what did you say?”
English is straightforward in this regard, so let’s move on to other fascinating languages!
Spanish
In Spanish, the word for “what” is “qué.” It can be used in different contexts, and the formality can vary. Informally, you can say:
“¿Qué?”
For a formal approach, you might say:
“Disculpe, ¿qué dijo?”
It is worth noting that regional variations exist, especially in countries like Mexico, where the informal version can be “¿Mande?”
French
If you want to say “what” in French, the word you need is “quoi.” When using it informally, you can say:
“Quoi?”
In a more formal context, you would say:
“Pardon, qu’est-ce que vous avez dit?”
German
German has its own word for “what,” which is “was.” Informally, you can simply say:
“Was?”
A more formal way to ask “what” in German is:
“Entschuldigen Sie, was haben Sie gesagt?”
Italian
In Italian, the word for “what” is “cosa.” When asking informally, you can say:
“Cosa?”
For a formal approach, consider saying:
“Scusi, cosa ha detto?”
Portuguese
The Portuguese word for “what” is “o que.” Informally, you can say:
“O que?”
Formally, you might say:
“Desculpe, o que você disse?”
Russian
In Russian, the word for “what” is “что,” pronounced as “shto.” Informally, you can simply say:
“Что?”
In a formal context, you would say:
“Извините, что вы сказали?”
Japanese
To express “what” in Japanese, you can use the word “何,” pronounced as “nani.” Informally, you can say:
“何?”
A more formal way to ask “what” in Japanese is:
“すみません、何と言いましたか?”
Remember that Japanese has various levels of formality depending on the context and relationship.
Chinese
If you want to say “what” in Mandarin Chinese, the word you need is “什么” (shénme). In an informal context, you can simply say:
“什么?”
For a formal approach, you might say:
“请问，您说什么?”
Arabic
In Arabic, the word for “what” is “ما,” pronounced as “ma.” When asking informally, you can say:
“ما؟”
For a formal approach, consider saying:
“عذرًا، ماذا قلت؟”
Arabic has regional variations, so certain dialects may have slightly different ways of expressing “what.”
Other Languages
While we have covered some significant languages, there are countless more to discover. If you’re curious about how to say “what” in a specific language, do some research and embrace the joy of language learning.
Conclusion
Mastering basic words like “what” in different languages opens doors to cultural understanding and paves the way for meaningful conversations. Whether you’re traveling, learning, or simply engaging in conversation with someone from a different background, knowing how to say “what” is a valuable tool. Use this guide to kick-start your language exploration, and remember, learning a language is an adventure meant to be enjoyed.
