what
Translation
what
Examples
What did you say?
What did you say?
What time is it?
What time is it?
What a beautiful day!
What a beautiful day!
I know what you mean.
I know what you mean.
Grammar Patterns
what ...? used to ask for information What is your name?
what + ((noun)) ...? used to ask for specific information What color do you like?
what + a/an + ((adj.)) + ((noun))! used in exclamations What a nice view!
clause + what + clause used as a relative pronoun I see what you mean.
Similar Words
Synonyms: which, that
Etymology
From Old English 'hwæt', which was a pronoun meaning 'what'.
Memory Tips
Remember 'what' as one of the key question words (the 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why).