was hat er denn

what does he ... then?

→ was

phrase Rare #36,924

what does he ... then? The meaning depends on what follows. Denn adds emphasis or conveys curiosity in questions; it often has no direct English equivalent.

GE: Was hat er denn heute vor?

EN: What is he planning today, then?

Was hat er denn bloß?

What's wrong with him?

— Die Besucher (1993)

Was hat er denn noch zu verlieren?

What does he have left to lose?

— Der Untergang (2004)

Was hat er denn an?

What is he wearing?

— Harry Potter und der Halbblutprinz (2009)

Was hat er denn mit Wasseypur zu tun?

What does he have to do with Wasseypur?

— Gangs of Wasseypur - Teil 1 (2012)

Was hat er denn?

What's wrong with him?

— Sie küssten und sie schlugen ihn (1959)

Was hat er denn jetzt?

What’s wrong with him now?

— Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)