Huh vs. What — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
"Huh" is often used to express surprise or confusion, reflecting a more informal tone, while "What" serves as a versatile interrogative or exclamation, applicable in formal and informal contexts.
Difference Between Huh and What
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Huh" is typically employed in casual conversations as a reflex response to something surprising or unclear. It conveys a need for clarification without specifying what part of the preceding message was confusing. On the other hand, "What" can be used more broadly in both questions and exclamations, providing a structured way to seek detailed information or express disbelief.
While "Huh" suggests a momentary pause or a need for repetition, indicating that the speaker is processing the information, "What" often demands more specific clarification or elaboration on the topic at hand. "What" can introduce a question that seeks to understand a statement's particulars or context more fully.
In terms of tone, "Huh" is informal and might be considered less polite, especially in professional or unfamiliar settings. Conversely, "What" can be adapted to fit both formal and informal situations, depending on its usage and the speaker's intonation.
The use of "Huh" in written communication is generally limited to text messages, chats, or informal emails, where it mimics verbal speech patterns. Whereas "What" is versatile, appearing in both written and spoken language across a range of contexts, from casual to academic and professional.
"Huh" primarily functions as an interjection, reflecting a spontaneous reaction to what has been said. Meanwhile, "What" is multifunctional, acting as an interrogative pronoun, determiner, or adverb in questions, and as an interjection in expressions of surprise or confusion.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal
Both formal and informal
Usage
Expresses surprise or confusion
Versatile: questions, exclamations
Tone
Can be perceived as less polite
Adaptable to context
Communication Type
Mostly verbal
Both verbal and written
Function
Interjection
Interrogative pronoun, determiner, adverb, interjection
Compare with Definitions
Huh
Request for repetition.
Huh? Could you say that again?
What
Question for clarification.
What did you just say?
Huh
Indication of disbelief.
Huh, are you sure?
What
Request for specific information.
What time is it?
Huh
Expression of surprise.
Huh, I didn't see that coming.
What
Expression of disbelief.
What! That's incredible!
Huh
Expression of confusion.
Huh, I don't understand.
What
Exclamation of surprise.
What a beautiful view!
Huh
Marker of hesitation.
Huh, I guess that could work.
What
Indicator of confusion.
What? That doesn't make sense.
Huh
Used to express scorn, anger, or surprise
‘Huh,’ she snorted, ‘Over my dead body!’
What
Asking for information specifying something
What is your name?
I'm not sure what you mean
Huh
Askew; crooked
I'm not one to be picky but his tie is on the huh
Either that picture behind you is on the huh, or you are
What
The thing or things that (used in specifying something)
What we need is a commitment
Huh
Used to express interrogation, surprise, contempt, or indifference.
What
(in exclamations) emphasizing something surprising or remarkable
What some people do for a crust!
Huh
(with rising pitch) Used to express doubt or confusion.
Huh? Where did they go?
What
Asking for information specifying something
Do you know what excuse he gave?
What time is it?
Huh
(with falling pitch) Used to express amusement or subtle surprise.
Huh! I'm sure I locked it when I left.
What
(referring to the whole of an amount) whatever
He had been robbed of what little money he had
Huh
(with rising pitch) Used to reinforce a question.
Where were you last night? Huh?
What
(in exclamations) how great or remarkable
What a fool she was
What luck!
Huh
Used either to belittle the issuer of a statement/question, or sarcastically to indicate utter agreement, and that the statement being responded to is an extreme understatement. The intonation is changed to distinguish between the two meanings - implied dullness for belittlement, and feigned surprise for utter agreement.
(belittlement) A: "We should go to an amusement park, it would be fun." B: "Huh."
(agreement) A: "Murder is bad." B: "Huh!"
What
To what extent?
What does it matter?
Huh
Used to indicate that one did not hear what was said.
Huh? Could you speak up?
What
Used to indicate an estimate or approximation
See you, what, about four?
Huh
Used to create a tag question.
It's getting kind of late, huh?
What
Used for emphasis or to invite agreement
Pretty poor show, what?
What
Which one or ones of several or many
What college are you attending? You should know what musical that song is from.
What
Whatever
They soon repaired what damage had been done.
What
How great; how astonishing
What a fool!.
What
How much; in what respect; how
What does it matter?.
What
That
I don't know but what I'll go.
What
Used to express surprise, incredulity, or other strong and sudden excitement.
What
Chiefly British Used as a tag question, often to solicit agreement.
What
(interrogative) Which, especially which of an open-ended set of possibilities.
What colour are you going to use?
What time is it?
What kind of car is that?
What
(relative) Which; the ... that.
I know what colour I am going to use.
That depends on what answer is received.
What
(relative) Any ... that; all ... that; whatever.
He seems to have lost what sense he had.
What money I earn is soon spent.
What
Emphasises that something is noteworthy or remarkable in quality or degree, in either a good or bad way; may be used in combination with certain other determiners, especially 'a', less often 'some'.
This shows what beauty there is in nature.
You know what nonsense she talks.
I found out what a liar he is.
What
Used to form exclamations.
What nonsense!
Wow! What a speech.
What some lovely weather we've been having!
What beautiful children you have.
With what passion she sings!
What
(interrogative) Which thing, event, circumstance, etc.: used in asking for the specification of an identity, quantity, quality, etc.
What is your name?
Ask them what they want.
What
(fused relative) That which; those that; the thing(s) that.
He knows what he wants.
What is amazing is his boundless energy.
And, what's even worse, I have to work on Sunday too.
What
(fused relative) Anything that; all that; whatever.
I will do what I can to help you.
What is mine is yours.
What
That; which; who.
'Ere! There's that bloke what I saw earlier!
What
(interrogative) In what way; to what extent.
What does it matter?
What do you care?
What
Used before a prepositional phrase to emphasise that something is taken into consideration as a cause or reason; usually used in combination with 'with' (see what with), and much less commonly with other prepositions.
What
An expression of surprise or disbelief.
What! That’s amazing!
What
What do you want? An abrupt, usually unfriendly enquiry as to what a person desires.
What? I'm busy.
What
Clipping of what do you say? Used as a type of tag question to emphasise a statement and invite agreement, often rhetorically.
It’s a nice day, what?
What
What did you say? I beg your pardon?
— Could I have some of those aarrrrrr mmmm ...
— What?
— What?
What
Indicating a guess or approximation, or a pause to try to recall information.
I must have been, what, about five years old.
What
Something; thing; stuff.
What
(countable) The identity of a thing, as an answer to a question of what.
What
(countable) Something that is addressed by what, as opposed to a person, addressed by who.
What
As an interrogative pronoun, used in asking questions regarding either persons or things; as, what is this? what did you say? what poem is this? what child is lost?
What see'st thou in the ground?
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
What
As an exclamatory word: - (a) Used absolutely or independently; - often with a question following.
What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
What
Used adjectively, meaning how remarkable, or how great; as, what folly! what eloquence! what courage!
What a piece of work is man!
O what a riddle of absurdity!
What
As a relative pronoun
What
Sometimes prefixed to adjectives in an adverbial sense, as nearly equivalent to how; as, what happy boys!
What partial judges are our love and hate!
What
Used substantively with the antecedent suppressed, equivalent to that which, or those [persons] who, or those [things] which; - called a compound relative.
With joy beyond what victory bestows.
I'm thinking Captain Lawton will count the noses of what are left before they see their whaleboats.
What followed was in perfect harmony with this beginning.
I know well . . . how little you will be disposed to criticise what comes to you from me.
What
Whatever; whatsoever; what thing soever; - used indefinitely.
Whether it were the shortness of his foresight, the strength of his will, . . . or what it was.
What
Used adjectively, equivalent to the . . . which; the sort or kind of . . . which; rarely, the . . . on, or at, which.
See what natures accompany what colors.
To restrain what power either the devil or any earthly enemy hath to work us woe.
We know what master laid thy keel,What workmen wrought thy ribs of steel.
What
Used adverbially, in part; partly; somewhat; - with a following preposition, especially, with, and commonly with repetition.
What for lust [pleasure] and what for lore.
Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom shrunk.
The year before he had so used the matter that what by force, what by policy, he had taken from the Christians above thirty small castles.
What time the morn mysterious visions brings.
What
Used adverbially in a sense corresponding to the adjectival use; as, he picked what good fruit he saw.
What
Why? For what purpose? On what account?
What should I tell the answer of the knight.
But what do I stand reckoning upon advantages and gains lost by the misrule and turbulency of the prelates? What do I pick up so thriftily their scatterings and diminishings of the meaner subject?
What
Something; thing; stuff.
And gave him for to feed,Such homely what as serves the simple lown.
Common Curiosities
Can "What" replace "Huh" in all contexts?
"What" can often replace "Huh" for clarity and politeness, but the tone may differ.
Is "Huh" a universal expression?
While "Huh" is recognized in many languages, its perception can vary culturally.
Which is more polite, "Huh" or "What"?
"What" is generally more polite, especially when used with proper intonation.
Is "Huh" acceptable in formal communication?
No, "Huh" is considered too informal for professional or formal settings.
Can "What" be used in formal writing?
Yes, "What" can be used in formal writing, depending on the context.
How does intonation affect the meaning of "What"?
Intonation can change "What" from a simple question to an expression of shock or disbelief.
Can "What" express surprise?
Yes, "What" can express surprise, especially when used as an exclamation.
Is "Huh" a word?
"Huh" is considered a word in the context of being an interjection used in informal speech.
Can "What" be considered rude?
"What" can be perceived as rude if said with a harsh tone or in an inappropriate context.
Is "Huh" appropriate in academic writing?
"Huh" is generally inappropriate for academic writing due to its informal nature.
How can "What" be used to seek information?
"What" can start questions that ask for specific details or clarification.
Why is "Huh" less formal than "What"?
"Huh" is seen as less formal due to its use in casual, spontaneous reactions rather than structured inquiries.
Do "Huh" and "What" have the same level of clarity?
"What" generally provides clearer communication than "Huh," which is more ambiguous.
When is it better to use "What" instead of "Huh"?
It's better to use "What" in formal situations or when seeking clear, specific information.
Are there any situations where "Huh" is preferred over "What"?
"Huh" might be preferred in casual, informal conversations among close acquaintances for a more relaxed tone.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
