เราจะใช้เมื่อเราต้องการทราบว่าเกิด
อะไรขึ้น
เช่น กรณีเราเห็นคนมุงดูบางอย่างเรา พากันดูเป็นมหกรรม ได้ยินเสียงที่ไม่แน่ใจว่าเป็นอะไร
อยากรู้ว่าเกิดอะไรขึ้นเราก็อาจจะถามว่า
What happened?
Example: Auntie Joan heard a terrible noise in the kitchen.
Joan: “What happened, Tessie?”
Tessie “I dropped a plate.
I’m terribly sorry”
Joan: “That’s all right. Make sure you pick up all broken pieces and put them in the garbage.”
ส่วน What's the matter? บางอย่างที่เกิดขึ้นในทางที่ไม่ดีแน่ๆ เช่นเราเห็นเพื่อนทำท่าไม่สบายเราจะถามว่า
What's the matter?
Example: Moji looks unwell.
You: "What's the matter?"
Moji: "I have a bad headache. Ahh… It’s killing me"
You: “Would you like to have a pain killer?”
Moji: “Yeah…that would be nice
A is playing badminton, then B, A's best friend, comes and cries. A sees B and
A: What's going on B?
B: I really can't stand it. I've had enough A.
A: Who hurts you? Tell me.
B: Noone hurts me.
A: Does your boyfriend dump you?
B: No, he's a good guy.
A: So what's wrong then?
B: I got stunk on my foot.
A: Oh..................................
This is the same as "What's wrong?" It means something is not right. There is a problem.
Ways to use "What's the matter?"
- You don't look good. What's the matter?
- You look sick. What's the matter?
- You are not paying attention. What's the matter?
2. "What's happened?" You are asking "What has happened?" This means you want to know about the actions that people did (they are finished actions). Usually you use "What's happened?" when something bad or serious has happened.
Ways to use "What's happened?"
- Many people look unhappy. What's happened?
- The train isn't here. What's happened?
Maybe you mean "What happened?" or "What is happening?"
"What happened?" means you want to know about the action that someone did (the action is finished).
Ways to use "What happened?"
- You are sad. What happened?
- You are crying. Why? What happened?
- You are late. What happened?
"What is happening?" mean you want to know the action that is someone is doing now.
Ways to use "What's happening?"
- I can hear a lot of noise. What's happening?
- I can see a lot of people over there. What's happening?
- I am confused. What's happening?
3. "What's going on?" can mean two things. It can mean the same as "What is happening?" or it can be an idiom for "Hello."
Ways to use "What's going on?"
- You didn't do any of your homework. What's going on?
- There is too much noise from this room. What's going on?
- You are fighting with your brother/sister. Why? What's going on?
"What's going on?", "What's up?", "How are you?", "Howdy" - these are also ways of saying hello in English.