9

Example from: ansehen (Wiktionary):

Was siehst du mich so an? Habe ich etwas Falsches gesagt?

I think the 1st sentence is asking "why are you looking at me like that?", in which case 'was' should be 'warum'. Am I wrong? Or can 'was' mean 'warum' in some situations?

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    You and the sentence are both correct. There is a slightly different meaning compared to using "warum" - this question sounds more aggressive.
    – Mörre
    Nov 28, 2013 at 23:41
  • I've seen it used like that in teaching material but never in the "wild"
    – thekeyofgb
    Nov 28, 2013 at 23:42
  • 3
    @thekeyofgb German here, it is a very aggressive question. Your angry wife or husband would ask it.
    – Mörre
    Nov 28, 2013 at 23:42
  • 2
    Actually, let me modify my statement, it does not always have to be very aggressive. It is stronger compared to the same question with "warum" though, which is more neutral. It's sufficient when you know how to use "warum", I can't think of a situation where you would have to use "was".
    – Mörre
    Nov 29, 2013 at 0:45
  • 1
    Was kuckst Du?
    – user unknown
    Nov 29, 2013 at 16:49

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

According to DWDS (I.1.d), was can have the special meaning warum in colloquial language. In contrast to the connotationally neutral warum, was bears the connotation of demanding a justification of ones action. This might be (sligtly) aggressive, as in your example, or plain as in

Was schleicht ihr euch nachts noch hier herum? (Teacher to his students during class trip)

Improve this answer
3
  • 3
    Oder "Was guckst du?"... da wäre es glaub' ich sogar irritierend zu hören "Ey, warum guckst duß"
    – Emanuel
    Nov 29, 2013 at 10:44
  • 1
    „Was guckst du?“ würde ich unter Vernachlässigung der Betonung aber auch erst mal aggressiv verstehen.
    – Toscho
    Nov 29, 2013 at 12:41
  • 1
    Oft ist es eine rhetorische Frage, die v.a. bedeutet: Kuck nicht (so (lange))! Das Anschauen selbst kann als Grenzverletzung wahrgenommen werden, als Provokation. Es kann aber auch ein Missverständnis sein bzw. ein Vorwand, eine körperliche Auseinandersetzung anzuzetteln.
    – user unknown
    Nov 29, 2013 at 16:57
4

I don't think the sentence is grammatically sound.

However, it is used in practice. Here, it is short for: "Was ist der Grund dafür, dass du mich so ansiehst?"

In that sense, yes, it is a replacement for "Warum".

Improve this answer
1

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.