Cool MateWhat's that mean vs What's that supposed to mean
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What's that mean
Top 2,000 (common)
What's that supposed to mean
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: What's that mean
| What's that mean | What's that supposed to mean | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt miːn//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt min// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt səˈpəʊzd tuː miːn//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt səˈpoʊzd tə min// |
| Meaning | What does that mean? | What does that mean? |
| Example | When I heard the term, I thought, 'What's that mean?' | When she said she was 'busy', I thought, 'What's that supposed to mean?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | ask what's that mean, wonder what's that mean, question what's that mean | What do you mean?, I don't understand, Can you explain that? |
| Common mistakes | Using the phrase with a serious tone in formal situations., Omitting the context when asking, making it unclear what 'that' refers to. | Using it in formal meetings, Confusing it with 'What does that mean?', Not using it when feeling confused |
| Usage notes | Use when seeking clarification or asking for the meaning of something. Informal contexts are more common. | Use this phrase when you find something unclear or confusing. It's casual and best for conversations with friends, not formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: What's that mean vs What's that supposed to mean
What's the difference between What's that mean and What's that supposed to mean?
What's that mean: What does that mean? What's that supposed to mean: What does that mean?
Which is more formal: What's that mean and What's that supposed to mean?
What's that mean is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
What's that mean: When I heard the term, I thought, 'What's 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's that mean and What's that supposed to mean interchangeably?
Not always. What's 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.