In Russian, "what" has different forms based on context. Here's how to use it in various situations.
1 Basic "What"
Что?(shto?)
The most common way to say "what." Use it to ask for information or clarification:
Что э́то? (shto EH-tah?)
"What is this?"
Что ты хо́чешь? (shto tih HOH-chish?)
"What do you want?"
2 "What" as a Pronoun
Что ты име́ешь в виду́? (shto tih ee-MYEH-esh v vee-DOO?)
"What do you mean?"
Что случи́лось? (shto sloo-CHEE-lahs?)
"What happened?"
3 "What" with Nouns
Asking about a specific thing or action:
Како́й?(kah-KOY?)
"Which?" or "What?" — masculine singular
Како́й фильм ты смо́тришь? (ka-KOY feelm tih smoh-TREESH?)
"What movie are you watching?"
Како́й день сего́дня? (ka-KOY dyen' see-VOHD-nya?)
"What day is it today?"
Кака́я?(ka-KAH-yah?)
Feminine singular form
Кака́я му́зыка тебе́ нра́вится? (ka-KAH-yah MOO-zih-kah tee-BYEH NRAV-itsya?)
"What music do you like?"
Како́е?(ka-KOH-ye?)
Neuter singular form
Како́е э́то сло́во? (ka-KOH-ye EH-tah SLOH-vo?)
"What word is this?"
Каки́е?(ka-KEE-ye?)
Plural form for all genders
Каки́е фи́льмы ты лю́бишь? (ka-KEE-ye FEEL-mih tih LYOOB-ish?)
"What films do you like?"
4 "What" for Specific Questions
Что́ за...?(shto zah?)
"What's this (about)?" or "What's going on?"
Что́ за шум? (shto zah shoom?)
"What's that noise?"
Что́-то(shto-to)
"Something" (when you're not sure what it is)
Что́-то мне не нра́вится. (shto-to mneh neh NRAV-itsya)
"Something doesn't feel right."
5 "What" in Exclamations
Вот что! (vot shto!)
"That's what!" or "I see!" (expressing understanding)
Что ты говори́шь! (shto tih gah-vah-REESH!)
"What are you saying!" (expressing surprise or disbelief)