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QUICK ANSWER
"What's the matter" is a form of "what's the matter", a phrase which is often translated as "qué pasa". "What's the problem?" is a phrase which is often translated as "¿Cuál es el problema?". Learn more about the difference between "What's the problem?" and "what's the matter" below.
What's the problem?(
wuhts
thuh
pra
-
bluhm
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. ¿Cuál es el problema?
What's the problem? - Josh stole my lunchbox.¿Cuál es el problema? - Josh robó mi lonchera.
what's the matter(
wuhts
thuh
mah
-
duhr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
b. qué tienes (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Why are you crying? What's the matter?¿Por qué lloras? ¿Qué tienes?
c. qué traes (colloquial) (informal) (singular) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Regionalism used in Mexico
What's the matter? Why aren't you ready to go yet?¿Qué traes? ¿Por que no estás listo todavía?
a. qué pasa
I don't know what's the matter with people. Why's there so much violence?No sé qué pasa con la gente. ¿Por qué hay tanta violencia?
b. qué tienes (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Why won't you tell me what's the matter?¿Por qué no me quieres decir qué tienes?
c. qué traes (colloquial) (informal) (singular) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Stop crying and tell me what's the matter. Maybe I can help you.Deja de llorar y dime qué traes. Quizá te pueda ayudar.
