Cool MateWhat is this vs What the hell is this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What is this
Top 2,000 (common)
What the hell is this
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: What is thisMost common: What is this
| What is this | What the hell is this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ðə hɛl ɪz ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑt ðə hɛl ɪz ðɪs// |
| Meaning | A question asking about the identity of something. | An expression of surprise or confusion about something. |
| Example | Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? | I opened the box and said, 'what the hell is this?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | what is this thing, what is this about, what is this supposed to be | what the hell is, what the hell happened, what the hell are you doing |
| Antonyms | - | What a wonderful thing this is, This is amazing, I love this |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'is', saying 'what this?' instead, Using 'who' instead of 'what' for inanimate objects | Using in formal contexts where it's inappropriate., Mispronouncing 'hell' as 'heel'. |
| Usage notes | Used when you want clarification about an object or situation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. | Use this phrase when you are surprised or angry. It's informal, so avoid it in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: What is this vs What the hell is this
What's the difference between What is this and What the hell is this?
What is this: A question asking about the identity of something. What the hell is this: An expression of surprise or confusion about something.
Which is more formal: What is this and What the hell is this?
What is this is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: What is this and What the hell is this?
What is this is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What is this: Excuse me, **what is this** on the table? What the hell is this: I opened the box and said, 'what the hell is this?'
Can I use What is this and What the hell is this interchangeably?
Not always. What is this and What the hell is this 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.