what

This is the most common use. You use 'what' to ask about a thing, an idea, or a situation — when you don't know something and want to find out.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

What is your name?

What did you eat for breakfast?

What time does the train leave?

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She gave me what I needed.

When 'what' comes directly before a noun, you are asking someone to identify or specify something. It is similar to 'which', but more open — you are not choosing from a limited list.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

What colour is your car?

What job does your father do?

You can use 'what' on its own — or at the start of a phrase — to show that you are shocked, amazed, or very surprised by something. The feeling in your voice matters a lot here.

everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

What! You won the competition?

When you did not hear or understand something, you can say 'what?' to ask the person to say it again. It is a bit informal — in more polite situations, people say 'pardon?' or 'could you repeat that?'

everyday language · Modern, widely used

"The meeting is at three." — "What? I didn't hear you."

She mumbled something and he just said, "What?"