Phrase guide

what do you want

phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

phrase

Meaning 1

Indicates that the listener is paying attention to the speaker, and wishes to know why they were approached or interrupted.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: what, what is it, yeah, yes

Antonyms: none provided

2

phrase

Meaning 2

A rude greeting, implying that the speaker does not wish to engage in formalities.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 咩呀? — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Finnish: mitä nyt? — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Finnish: mitä haluat? — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Jamaican Creole: weh yuh waan — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Japanese: なんでしょう? (nandeshō?) — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Malay: kamu mau apa? — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Marathi: काय हवं आहे? (kāy hava āhe?) — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Marathi: तुला काय हवं आहे? (tulā kāy hava āhe?) — to indicate that the listener is paying attention
  • Marathi: तुम्हाला काय हवं आहे? (tumhālā kāy hava āhe?) — to indicate that the listener is paying attention