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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Who you are vs. what you are

I accept you for who you are and what you are.

What is the difference between 'who you are' and 'what you are' in the sentence above? I hear people sometimes say this but I don't know what they mean. Kindly advise. Thanks.
  

Top answer

who you are is internal. It has to do with your "essence". For example, you are honest, you are cheerful, you are intelligent.

— CalifJim

  • who you are is internal.
  • It has to do with your "essence".
  • For example, you are honest, you are cheerful, you are intelligent.
  • what you are is external.
  • It has to do with your relationships to other people, your familial relationships, your nationality, your religion, your profession, etc.
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4 Answers
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who you are is internal. It has to do with your "essence". For example, you are honest, you are cheerful, you are intelligent.

what you are is external. It has to do with your relationships to other people, your familial relationships, your nationality, your religion, your profession, etc. For example, you are the son of someone, the brother or sister of someone, etc.
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I've been hearing these phrases without realizing their meanings, but now I know. Thanks to you, CJ. That was really helpful.
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Is being gay 'who' you are or 'what' you are?
Friends are having a serious debate, and we don't know the correct answer, if there is one.
Please help. Thank you.
Marge
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AnonymousIs being gay 'who' you are or 'what' you are?
Both are correct.

Who you are - you were born that way.
What you are - You live a lifestyle that is compatible with your inner being.
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