what
Loading your saved state.
what
A colloquial expression, especially northern German, for 'was' (what) or 'was für ein' (what a/what kind of). It is often used in questions or exclamations to express surprise or disbelief.
Watt für ein Durcheinander!
What a mess!
The word 'Watt' (what) is strongly colloquial and is used mainly in northern Germany. In formal situations or in other regions of Germany, it should be avoided.
Watt willst du denn hier?
What do you want here?
'Watt' (what) is used especially often in exclamations following the pattern 'Watt für ein/eine ...!' to express surprise. It corresponds to the standard German form 'Was für ein/eine ...!' (What a ...!).
Watt für ein tolles Auto!
What a great car!
Besides exclamations, 'Watt' (what) can also be used as a simple question word in very informal conversations. It then replaces the word 'was' (what).
Watt hast du gesagt? Ich habe dich nicht verstanden.
What did you say? I didn’t understand you.
what / something
Watt and was can both be used in questions about the same unknown thing or action. Watt is primarily a colloquial form used in northern Germany, while was is standard German and appropriate in all situations. For neutral or formal questions, use was.
Im lockeren Gespräch in Hamburg fragt Tom überrascht: „Watt machst du denn hier?“
In a casual conversation in Hamburg, Tom asks in surprise, “What are you doing here?”
Im neutralen Gespräch fragt Tom überrascht: „Was machst du denn hier?“
In a neutral conversation, Tom asks in surprise, “What are you doing here?”
