was denn

what?, what is it?

→ was

phrase Common #6,138

what? Denn adds emphasis and can convey curiosity, surprise, or impatience; depending on context, the phrase can mean “what exactly?”

GE: Was denn für ein Film?

EN: What kind of movie?

Was denn, meine Süße, meine Hübsche?

What is it, sweetheart, my pretty girl?

— Wächter des Tages (2006)

Was denn, sind Sie taub?

What, are you deaf?

— The Wailing: Die Besessenen (2016)

Was denn noch?

What else?

— Montags in der Sonne (2002)

Was denn, drei sagen Sie?

What, three, you say?

— Memories of Murder (2003)

Was denn, schon wieder ein neuer Füller?

What, another new fountain pen already?

— Sie küssten und sie schlugen ihn (1959)

Was denn, wegen diesem kleinen Kratzer soll ich ins Krankenhaus?

What? I'm supposed to go to the hospital for this little scratch?

— Memories of Murder (2003)

Was denn, Mama?

What is it, Mom?

— Parallelwelten (2018)

Was denn, sie hat kein Kind erwartet?

What, she wasn't expecting a child?

— Rebecca (1940)

Na was denn?

Well, what then?

— Hass (1995)

Was denn los hier?

What’s going on here?

— The Blue Angel (1930)

So, was denn?

So, what is it then?

— American Gangster (2007)

Was denn zum Beispiel?

For example, what?

— Der Club der toten Dichter (1989)

Nein, was denn?

No, what then?

— Y Tu Mama Tambien - Lust for Life (2001)

Was denn, Signora, mit einem Mann?

What about a man, Signora?

— Der Zauber von Malèna (2000)

Auf was denn?

For what?

— Die Kinder des Monsieur Mathieu (2004)

Was denn, die ganzen Typen da?

What, all those guys?

— Memories of Murder (2003)

Was denn dann?

What then?

— Broker - Familie gesucht (2022)

An was denn?

What about?

— The Mermaid (2016)

Als was denn?

As what?

— Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Was denn nun?

So what is it then?

— The Wolf's Call - Entscheidung in der Tiefe (2019)

Was denn, Madrugadão?

What's up, Madrugadão?

— City of Men (2007)

Was denn, schämst du dich?

What, are you ashamed?

— Central Station (1998)

Digger, was denn los?

Dude, what's up?

— Gegen die Wand (2004)

Was denn?

What?

— Konklave (2024)

Und was denn?

And what is it?

— Wenn die Kraniche ziehen (1957)

Ihr habt meinen Ausweis, was denn noch?

You have my ID, what more do you need?

— Für immer hier (2024)

Ja, ja, was denn?

Yeah, yeah, what is it?

— Die Blechtrommel (1979)

Von was denn?

From what?

— Mommy (2014)

Was denn, Mörder?

What, murderer?

— M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)

phrase Rare #26,647

what is it? A conversational way to ask what someone means or wants; “denn” adds emphasis and usually isn’t translated separately.

GE: Was denn? Ist etwas passiert?

EN: What is it? Did something happen?

Was denn, Bro?

What's up, bro?

— Anora (2024)

Was denn, Stuntman?

What, stuntman?

— Drive (2011)

Was denn, arbeitest du an einer Science-Fiction-Story?

What, are you working on a science fiction story?

— The Man from Earth (2007)

Was denn, hier bezahlen und im Irrenhaus abholen?

What, pay here and pick it up at the madhouse?

— PK - Andere Sterne, andere Sitten (2014)

Was denn?!

What is it?!

— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Mugen Train (2020)

Was denn, nimmst du die Chips mit?

What, are you taking the chips with you?

— Glücklich wie Lazzaro (2018)

Was denn, was denn?

What is it? What is it?

— A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)

Was denn, Süße, was denn?

What is it, sweetie, what is it?

— The Wailing: Die Besessenen (2016)

Was denn, du hast nichts davon mitbekommen?

What, you didn't hear anything about it?

— Die Ironie des Schicksals, oder Genieße Dein Bad! (1976)

Was denn, bitte?

What, please?

— M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)