What does "what up" mean?
Quick answer
“What up” is a casual greeting meaning “hello” or “what’s up?” It’s a shortened, informal form of what’s up and usually doesn’t need a detailed answer. A simple “Not much, you?” or “Hey!” is a natural reply.
Variations you’ll hear
| Version | Feel |
|---|---|
| What’s up? | Casual, widely used |
| What up? | More relaxed and slangy |
| Wassup? / Sup? | Very casual, often among friends |
| What up, dog? / What up, bro? | Friendly, between close friends |
The shortened form grew out of African American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture, and spread widely through music, TV and advertising, including a famous beer commercial from 1999 built around shouting “Whassup!”
Is it a real question?
Usually not. Like “How are you?”, it’s mostly a way to say hello. People don’t expect a full update on your life. Sometimes, though, it really does mean “What’s going on?” or “What do you need?”, such as when someone walks into a room where something has happened.
How to reply
- “Not much, you?” The most common reply.
- “Hey! What’s up?” Turning the question back is fine.
- “Just chilling.” or “Same old.”
- “Nothing much, just got off work.” If you want to share a little.
When not to use it
Keep “what up” for friends and casual chats. In a job interview, a formal email or with someone you’ve just met in a professional setting, choose “Hello” or “Hi, how are you?” instead.
For more on everyday greetings, see how to respond to “how are you?” and what “how can I help you?” means.
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