Cool MateWhat does that mean vs What's that supposed to mean
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What does that mean
What's that supposed to mean
| What does that mean | What's that supposed to mean | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt dʌz ðæt miːn//🇺🇸 //wɑːt dʌz ðæt miːn// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt səˈpəʊzd tuː miːn//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt səˈpoʊzd tə min// |
| Meaning | What is the meaning of this? | What does that mean? |
| Example | I saw a strange sign and asked, 'What does that mean?' | When she said she was 'busy', I thought, 'What's that supposed to mean?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | ask what it means, wonder what that means, explain what it means | What do you mean?, I don't understand, Can you explain that? |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'that' in informal speech (e.g., 'What does mean?'), Using it without context (vague questions), Confusing with 'What do you mean?' which is more personal | Using it in formal meetings, Confusing it with 'What does that mean?', Not using it when feeling confused |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation. Appropriate for asking clarification in casual settings, but can also be used in formal contexts. | Use this phrase when you find something unclear or confusing. It's casual and best for conversations with friends, not formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: What does that mean vs What's that supposed to mean
What's the difference between What does that mean and What's that supposed to mean?
What does that mean: What is the meaning of this? What's that supposed to mean: What does that mean?
Which is more formal: What does that mean and What's that supposed to mean?
What does that mean is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: What does that mean and What's that supposed to mean?
What does that mean is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What does that mean: I saw a strange sign and asked, 'What does that mean?' What's that supposed to mean: When she said she was 'busy', I thought, 'What's that supposed to mean?'
Can I use What does that mean and What's that supposed to mean interchangeably?
Not always. What does that mean and What's that supposed to 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.