Dictionary

you think what en · X

Pronunciation

• [ju˨ ˈtɪŋ˦ ˈwät˦˧] (Singapore)
• /juː ˈθɪŋk ˈwʌt/ (Singapore)

Etymology

A colloquial interpretation of the phrase what do you think? with reorganized syntax, demonstrating optional wh-fronting in Singlish. Analogous to certain sentence structures in Chinese, e.g., Hokkien 汝儂咧講什物？ /汝侬咧讲什物？ (lír-lâng leh kóng sím-mih?, “what are you all talking about?”), in which the interrogative word 什物 (sím-mih, “what”) remains where it is and does not move to the front of the sentence.

Meanings

1. (Singapore, Singlish, interrogative, qualifier:rhetorical, sarcastic) What do you think this is?; do you think this is some kind of […] ?; said in response to an impractical or naïve suggestion.
   • — Can book a whole ballroom anot? — You think what? Got all the money in the world ah, hah?
   • CMPB looking for something better and more kilat for me, you think what, they put somebody like me here as a counsellor? 2011, James Khoo, directed by James Khoo, Hentak Kaki (short film), spoken by 2WO Lee Teck Hong (Michael Hadrievic Chua):

Forms