What's up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhwəts/, /ˈwəts/ /ˈəp

WUHTS-UP

UK

wɒts/ /ˈʌp

WOTS-UP

Definition

A casual greeting used to ask how someone is or what's happening. Often used instead of 'hello' among friends or in informal situations.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and mainly used in casual conversations. Used both to greet someone and to literally ask about current events in their life. Common replies include 'Not much' or 'Nothing much'. Not appropriate in formal or professional settings.

• Spanish: ¿Qué tal? - ¿Qué pasa? - ¿Qué hay?
• Portuguese (BR): E aí? - O que há? - Beleza?
• Portuguese (PT): Então? - O que se passa? - Tudo bem?
• Chinese (Simplified): 怎么了？- 最近怎么样？- 有什么事？
• Chinese (Traditional): 怎麼了？- 最近怎麼樣？- 有什麼事？
• Hindi: क्या हाल है? - क्या चल रहा है?
• Arabic: ما الأخبار؟ - ماذا هناك؟ - كيف الحال؟
• Bengali: কি খবর - কেমন আছো - কী চলছে
• Russian: Как дела - Что нового
• Japanese: どうしたの - 元気？ - 何してる？
• Vietnamese: Có gì mới không - Dạo này sao rồi - Mọi chuyện ổn chứ
• Korean: 무슨 일이야 - 잘 지내? - 뭐 해
• Turkish: Naber - Ne var ne yok
• Urdu: کیا حال ہے - کیا چل رہا ہے
• Indonesian: Ada apa - Lagi apa - Gimana kabarmu

Example Sentences

What's up? I haven't seen you in a while.

basic

He smiled and said, "What's up?"

basic

Many people greet their friends with 'What's up?'

basic

Hey man, what's up? You look tired.

natural

A: What's up? B: Not much, just studying for exams.

natural

If someone texts you 'What's up?', you can just say, 'Not much.'

natural