What is it vs What's that vs What's this

Cuándo usar cada una en inglés, con significado, registro y ejemplos.

What is it

Top 2000 (común)

What's that

InformalTop 5000 (bastante común)

What's this

Top 1000 (muy común)
Más común: What's this
 What is itWhat's thatWhat's this
Pronunciación🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪz ɪt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðæt//🇬🇧 //wɒts ðɪs//🇺🇸 //wɑts ðɪs//
SignificadoUna pregunta para identificar o explicar algo.A question asking for identification or explanation.Una pregunta sobre algo que ves o escuchas.A question asking about something you see or hear.Una pregunta sobre algo que ves o tienes.A question asking about something you see or have.
EjemploLook at that! What is it?Look at that strange noise; what's that?When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'
RegistroNeutralInformalNeutral
Qué tan comúnTop 2000 (común)Top 5000 (bastante común)Top 1000 (muy común)
Colocacioneswhat is it about, what is it for, can you tell me what it iswhat's that sound?, what's that over there?, what's that doing?what's this about, what's this place, what's this doing here
Errores comunesOmitting 'is' (saying 'what it?'), Not using a question mark at the end, Using in inappropriate formal contextsUsed in formal situations where a more polite inquiry is needed., Confused with 'what is that', which is more formal.Using it with a serious tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'what is that' which can be seen as more formal.
Notas de usoSe usa en conversaciones cotidianas para pedir aclaración. Evitar en escritura formal.Use in everyday conversation when asking for clarification. Avoid in formal writing.Se usa en conversaciones informales. Evítalo en entornos formales o escritos, ya que puede parecer demasiado familiar.Used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal settings or written language, as it may seem too familiar.Úsalo en entornos informales cuando quieras una aclaración sobre un objeto o situación. Evítalo en contextos formales.Use in informal settings when you want clarification about an object or situation. Avoid in formal contexts.

Míralo en clips reales

What is it
What's that
What's this

Preguntas frecuentes: What is it vs What's that vs What's this

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre What is it, What's that y What's this?

What is it: A question asking for identification or explanation. What's that: A question asking about something you see or hear. What's this: A question asking about something you see or have.

¿Cuál es más común: What is it, What's that y What's this?

What's this es la más común en el inglés cotidiano.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

What is it: Look at that! What is it? What's that: Look at that strange noise; what's that? What's this: When I saw the strange device on the table, I asked, 'What's this?'

¿Puedo usar What is it, What's that y What's this indistintamente?

No siempre. What is it, What's that y What's this están relacionadas y a veces se solapan, pero difieren en registro, frecuencia y uso, así que cambiar una por otra puede alterar el significado o el tono. Revisa las diferencias de arriba antes de sustituir.

Comparaciones relacionadas