What is?

Question

Hi,Can "what is" be translated as why? I'm asking cuz it appeared in a dialogue between two persons, as follows: A: You know it's bad luck. B: What is? If, however, there is no "it's" or "something is..." as in the above sentence A, can I still say "What is?" to exress the meaning WHY?For example: A: I don't think he has the ability to handle this.                    B: What is?Hopefully you can advise some other ways to say why, if any.Thanks!!!

Tyrudite · Accepted Answer

No.

"What is?" is the same thing as "What is it?"; it, in this case, is "bad luck."

Clive · Answer

Hi,

You are misunderstanding.
When B says 'What is?' in your first example, it is a short form of 'What is bad luck?'.
A would then typically answer
eg Walking under a ladder is bad luck'.

In your second example. B needs to say 'Why?' The long form of the question would be 'Why do you think he doesn't have the ability to handle this?'

Clive

Yanx · Answer

CliveHi,You are misunderstanding.When B says 'What is?' in your first example, it is a short form of 'What is bad luck?'.A would then typically answer eg Walking under a ladder is bad luck'.In your second example. B needs to say 'Why?' The long form of the question would be 'Why do you think he doesn't have the ability to handle this?'Clive

Thanks!

Yanx · Answer

TyruditeNo."What is?" is the same thing as "What is it?"; it, in this case, is "bad luck."

Thanks!

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