Where on earth Meaning in English
expression
ˈhwɛɹ/, /ˈwɛɹ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈɝθ
WAIR on URTH
wˈeə/ /ˈɒn/ /ˈɜːθ
WAIR on URTH
Definition
Used to show strong surprise or frustration when asking where something or someone is, meaning 'where could it possibly be?'.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, emphatic expression used mainly in spoken English. It's used to add surprise or frustration to 'where' questions. Do not use in very formal writing. Similar in tone and meaning to 'where the heck' or 'where the hell', but more polite.
Spanish: ¿dónde diablos - ¿dónde demonios - ¿dónde rayosPortuguese (BR): onde diabos - onde raios - onde, afinalPortuguese (PT): onde raio - onde diabo - onde, afinalChinese (Simplified): 到底在哪里 - 究竟在哪里Chinese (Traditional): 到底在哪裡 - 究竟在哪裡Hindi: आख़िर कहाँ - भगवान जाने कहाँArabic: أين بحق الجحيم - أين على وجه الأرضBengali: পৃথিবীর কোথায় - দুনিয়ার কোথায়Russian: где жеJapanese: 一体どこにVietnamese: rốt cuộc ở đâu - trời ơi ở đâuKorean: 도대체 어디에Turkish: dünyanın neresindeUrdu: آخر کہاںIndonesian: di mana sih - di mana sebenarnya
Example Sentences
Where on earth are my keys?
basic
Where on earth did you go after school?
basic
Where on earth is everyone?
basic
I've looked everywhere—where on earth could it be?
natural
Where on earth have you been? I was starting to worry.
natural
Where on earth did you find that vintage jacket?
natural