Cool MateWhat are you saying vs What do you mean
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What are you saying
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
What do you mean
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: What do you mean
| What are you saying | What do you mean | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ə juː ˈseɪɪŋ//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɑr ju ˈseɪɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt duː jʊ miːn//🇺🇸 //wɑt du jʊ min// |
| Meaning | What do you mean? | What do you want to say? |
| Example | I was confused and said, 'What are you saying?' after he made his claim. | I didn't catch that last part, what do you mean? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | What are you saying about?, What are you saying here?, I don't understand what you're saying | what do you mean by, ask what do you mean, explain what do you mean |
| Antonyms | - | I don't understand, What do you not mean, What are you unclear about |
| Common mistakes | Used in overly formal situations., Not using proper intonation., Confused with 'What do you mean?' | Using it after every sentence, which can sound confusing., Incorrectly assuming it can replace 'what does this mean?', Not using it when genuinely confused. |
| Usage notes | Typically used during conversations when you're surprised or confused about someone’s statement. More casual than formal inquiries. | Use when you need clarification about someone's statement. Avoid in very formal contexts; use it with friends or in conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: What are you saying vs What do you mean
What's the difference between What are you saying and What do you mean?
What are you saying: What do you mean? What do you mean: What do you want to say?
Which is more formal: What are you saying and What do you mean?
What do you mean is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
What are you saying: I was confused and said, 'What are you saying?' after he made his claim. What do you mean: I didn't catch that last part, what do you mean?
Can I use What are you saying and What do you mean interchangeably?
Not always. What are you saying and What do you mean are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.