wha
word
/ˈwɑ/
wah
wah
Definition
A dialectal or nonstandard form of “what,” especially found in Scots or Scottish English. It is used to ask for information or to express surprise, but it is not standard in most modern English.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly seen in Scots, Scottish English, older writing, or stylized dialogue. Learners should normally use “what” instead. It may appear in set phrases like “Wha’s like us?” and can signal regional identity.
Spanish: qué (escocés/dialectal)Portuguese (BR): o quê (escocês/dialetal)Portuguese (PT): o quê (escocês/dialetal)Chinese (Simplified): 什么（苏格兰英语/方言）Chinese (Traditional): 什麼（蘇格蘭英語／方言）Hindi: क्या (स्कॉटिश/बोलीगत)Arabic: ماذا (اسكتلندية/لهجية)Bengali: কি (আঞ্চলিক বা অপ্রচলিত রূপ)Russian: что (диалектное или нестандартное)Japanese: なに（方言的、非標準的な形）Vietnamese: gì (dạng phương ngữ hoặc không chuẩn)Korean: 뭐 (사투리 또는 비표준형)Turkish: ne (ağdalı ya da standart dışı biçim)Urdu: کیا (علاقائی یا غیرمعیاری شکل)Indonesian: apa (bentuk dialek atau tidak baku)
Example Sentences
Wha are you talking about?
natural
Wha is your name?
basic
Wha do you want?
basic
Wha happened here?
basic
Wha were you thinking?
natural
Wha now, then?
natural