Which one should you use?
Use что when asking about an object or an abstract concept. If you want to ask 'what kind of' or are trying to identify a specific noun, use the related forms како́й, кака́я or како́е instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the pronoun changes depending on its role in a sentence. It becomes чего in the genitive case, which is required after negation or certain verbs like бояться (to be afraid of). It becomes чем in the instrumental case to indicate the instrument or means of an action.
How do you pronounce it?
što
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using Что? as a standalone way to ask someone to repeat themselves, as it can be perceived as rude. Instead, use Простите? or Что вы сказали?
When do people say it?
In addition to the interrogative pronoun, the word что can be used as an interjection (as in что!) to express surprise.
Did you know?
- In very informal or slang speech, Russians sometimes replace что with чё to sound more casual or street-wise.
- The Russian word что is actually a linguistic hybrid, formed from two different Proto-Indo-European roots: one meaning 'what' and another meaning 'that'.
- The phrase что-то uses the word for 'what' to mean 'something', whereas что-нибудь means 'anything'.
Examples in context
- Да, ну и что?Yes, what of it?Tatoeba #1770628 by Balamax, translation #418644 by blay_paul
- Что у нас тут?What do we have here?Tatoeba #3012240 by marafon, translation #1886768 by CK
- Что ты ей дал?What did you give her?Tatoeba #3517262 by marafon, translation #3915935 by CH
- Извините, что вы сказали?Excuse me, what did you say?
- Чего́ вам не хватает для счастья?What do you lack for happiness?
- 13124 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Dmitry are talking about a gift.
- Ольга OlgaЧто ты купил для меня?Chto ty kupil dlya menya?What did you buy for me?
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто маленький сюрприз.Eto malen'kiy syurpriz.It is a small surprise.
- Ольга OlgaЧто там внутри?Chto tam vnutri?What is inside there?
- Дмитрий DmitryОткрой и посмотри сам.Otkroy i posmotri sam.Open it and see for yourself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries что, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries что, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
