How to Say “What Is Wrong?” in Spanish

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¿qué pasa?
/ˈke ˈpasa/word by word
The English phrase "what is wrong?" is translated into Spanish as ¿qué pasa?
This phrase is a question used to ask what is happening or what the problem is. It can function as a colloquial way to say "what's up?" or "what's happening?"

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase ¿qué pasa? literally translates to "what happens?"

Which one should you use?

While ¿qué pasa? is common, you can use ¿qué ocurre? if you want to sound more formal or precise when asking what is going on. To ask specifically about a person's condition or what is wrong with them, you might use ¿qué te pasa?, ¿qué te sucede? or ¿qué tienes?

Is it said differently in some regions?

¿qué pasa? is a colloquial phrase widely used in Spain to ask what is happening or to express concern.

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈke ˈpasa/

Did you know?

  • The word pasa in this phrase is a distant relative of the English word 'raisin', which comes from the same Latin root for 'dried grape'.
  • In certain contexts, saying ¡pasa! as a command is the standard way to tell someone to 'come in' to a room or office.

Examples in context

  • Disculpe, ¿qué sucede? Parece preocupado.
    Excuse me, what is wrong? You seem worried.
  • Buenas tardes, doctor. ¿Qué ocurre con mi estado de salud?
    Good afternoon, doctor. What is wrong with my health?
  • Señorita Ramírez, ¿cuál es el problema con la entrega del informe?
    Miss Ramírez, what is the problem with the report's delivery?
  • Hola Pedro, ¿qué te pasa? No te veo muy bien.
    Hi Pedro, what's the matter? You don't look well.
  • Juan, ¿qué tienes? No pareces bien.
    Juan, what's wrong? You don't look well.
  • Oye, tío, ¿qué pasa? ¿Estás bien?
    Hey, dude, what's wrong? Are you okay?
  • ¿Qué pasa con tu coche?
    What is wrong with your car?
  • Te veo triste, ¿qué pasa?
    You look sad, what is wrong?

Example conversation

Mateo sees Sofía looking upset in the office.

  1. Mateo

    Sofía, te veo muy nerviosa, ¿qué pasa?
    Sofía, you look very nervous, what is wrong?
  2. Sofía

    No es nada, Mateo, solo estoy cansada.
    It is nothing, Mateo, I am just tired.
  3. Mateo

    ¿Segura? Parece que tienes un problema.
    Are you sure? It looks like you have a problem.
  4. Sofía

    Sí, de verdad, todo está bien.
    Yes, really, everything is fine.

Sources

  • IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (qué, pasa) and can differ in connected speech.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries pasa, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Bethany Edith
Bethany EdithHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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