Cool MateWhat's the matter vs What's the problem vs What's wrong
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What's the matter
What's the problem
What's wrong
| What's the matter | What's the problem | What's wrong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðə ˈmætə//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðə ˈmætər// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ðə ˈprɒbləm//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðə ˈprɑbləm// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts rɒŋ//🇺🇸 //wɑts rɔŋ// |
| Meaning | What's wrong or what's the problem? | What is wrong? | What is the problem? |
| Example | When I saw her crying, I asked, 'What's the matter?' | When he seemed upset, I asked him, 'What's the problem?' | When I saw her upset, I gently asked, 'What's wrong?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | What's the problem, What's the issue, What's wrong | ask what's the problem, identify what's the problem, discuss what's the problem | ask what's wrong, find out what's wrong, tell me what's wrong |
| Antonyms | - | - | What's right, What's correct, What is okay |
| Common mistakes | 'What's the matter' is often confused with 'What's up' which is more casual., Some learners forget to use it only when someone looks upset or unwell., Confused with 'What's wrong?' which is more direct and sometimes impolite. | Using 'what is the problem' in too formal contexts., Confusing with 'what's wrong', which is more emotional. | Confused with 'what's right' which inquires about correctness., Using in overly formal contexts can seem insincere. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to ask someone about their issues or discomfort. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid in very casual situations. | Used to ask someone to explain an issue or difficulty. Appropriate in most situations but best with informal contexts. | Used to ask someone about their issues or concerns. Appropriate in casual and formal situations, but avoid overuse in professional settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: What's the matter vs What's the problem vs What's wrong
What's the difference between What's the matter, What's the problem, and What's wrong?
What's the matter: What's wrong or what's the problem? What's the problem: What is wrong? What's wrong: What is the problem?
Which is more common: What's the matter, What's the problem, and What's wrong?
What's wrong is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What's the matter: When I saw her crying, I asked, 'What's the matter?' What's the problem: When he seemed upset, I asked him, 'What's the problem?' What's wrong: When I saw her upset, I gently asked, 'What's wrong?'
Can I use What's the matter, What's the problem, and What's wrong interchangeably?
Not always. What's the matter, What's the problem, and What's wrong 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.