de qué habla

what is he talking about

what are you talking about

de qué habla(deh keh ah-blah)

phrase

1. (in questions; third person singular)

a. what is he talking about (masculine)

Andrés es un tipo muy pedante. ¿De qué habla esta vez?

Andres is a very pompous guy. What is he talking about this time?

b. what is she talking about (feminine)

No entiendo a la profesora. ¿De qué habla ahora?

I can't understand the teacher. What is she talking about now?

c. what is ... talking about

¿De qué habla tu novio con mamá? Se los ve muy serios.

What is your boyfriend talking about with Mom? They look really serious.

2. (in statements; third person singular)

a. what he's talking about (masculine)

El policía no entiende español y yo no entiendo inglés. No sé de qué habla.

The policeman can't understand Spanish and I can't undestand English. I don't know what he's talking about.

b. what she's talking about (feminine)

Esta filósofa es muy interesante. Si quieres saber de qué habla, te recomiendo su último libro.

This philosopher is really interesting. If you want to know what she's talking about, I recommend her latest book.

c. what ... is talking about

Me pregunto de qué habla Salim con el taxista. - No sé, yo no hablo una palabra de farsi.

I wonder what Salim is talking about with the taxi driver. - I don't know. I can't speak a word of Farsi.

3.

(formal)

(in questions; second person singular)

a. what are you talking about

Profesora Ulloa, ¿de qué habla cuando dice que "el sexo está en la mente"?

Professor Ulloa, what are you talking about when you say that "sex is in the mind"?

4.

(formal)

(in statements; second person singular)

a. what you're talking about

Sus ideas me parecen fascinantes pero enigmáticas, Sra. Roberts. Muchas veces me pregunto de qué habla.

I find your ideas fascinating but puzzling, Mrs. Roberts. Many times I wonder what you're talking about.