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whatchu

(AAVE) What are you; what do you; what have you; what you.

ˈwʌt͡ʃəCurrent171 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🎤 Black culture & AAVE
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US

(AAVE) What are you; what do you; what have you; what you.

See it in action
  • “Babyyyy, because whatchu mean stuff from my childhood still messing with me at damn near 40???”

  • “This post has the essence of the hard -ER, whatchu mean he OWES?”

  • “#World #History in the making. So whatchu Christian cursaders gonna do to erase and re-write all of this noble truth in world history of the common era bear-witness in #oneness by we, the people world fucking wide? #LoveIt welcome to the age of intelligence.”

Whatchu doin'?
For parents

Whatchu means: What are you; what do you; what have you; what you.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

whatchu means: What are you; what do you; what have you; what you.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Heard in the wild
  • “TAURANGA MOANA - whatchu up to Thurs night? "Join us for a kōrero on jobs, housing, climate and more" 🟢 Thurs 7 May at 7pm 🟢 All are welcome to come meet and talk with Ricardo, Lawrence and @taniawaikatolawyer.bsky.social @greens.org.nz #nzpol”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Babyyyy, because whatchu mean stuff from my childhood still messing with me at damn near 40???”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “This post has the essence of the hard -ER, whatchu mean he OWES?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “#World #History in the making. So whatchu Christian cursaders gonna do to erase and re-write all of this noble truth in world history of the common era bear-witness in #oneness by we, the people world fucking wide? #LoveIt welcome to the age of intelligence.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I want to take a militant, armed cadre into the Capitol just like the Zapatistas. Whatchu got for me?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Whatchu means: What are you; what do you; what have you; what you.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🎤About Black culture & AAVE slang

Slang from Black American Vernacular English (AAVE), hip-hop, drag and ballroom culture, the Caribbean, and NYC street vocabulary. The single largest source of new mainstream English slang in living memory.

See all Black culture & AAVE slang on Slangora.

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