Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| яко́го бі́са? | jakóho bísa? |
| що за біс? | ščo za bis? |
These phrases serve as intensive forms of the word "what". Яко́го бі́са? is a versatile idiom used to express surprise, such as "What the hell is happening?" or to express annoyance and protest, such as "Why the hell are you doing that?" Що за біс? can be used to express shock, irritation or disbelief.
What does it mean word for word?
The word біс in these expressions literally means "devil" or "demon".
Which one should you use?
The two forms differ in their focus. Яко́го бі́са? is a more direct, idiomatic way to say "what the hell?" or "why the hell?" In contrast, що за біс? focuses more on the nature of the situation, similar to asking "what kind of devilry is this?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both forms are informal. Because they imply a level of frustration or shock, you should use them with caution in polite or formal company.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase що за functions as a way to say "what the" or "what kind of".
How do you pronounce it?
jakóho bísa?
Did you know?
- The word що in що за біс? shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'what'. Both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
- In Ukrainian culture, a біс is often viewed more as a clever trickster than a terrifying agent of eternal damnation.
- While біс and чорт both mean devil, чорт is often used for more aggressive cursing, whereas біс carries a stronger sense of bewilderment or absurdity.
Example sentences for Ukrainian are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what the hell” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries біс, за, що, CC BY-SA 4.0.
