What happened?
in Spanish¿Qué pasó?
/keh pah-SOH/
This is the most common, direct, and universally understood way to ask 'What happened?'. It's your go-to phrase in almost any situation, from casual to serious.
When you arrive on a scene and need to know what's going on, a simple '¿Qué pasó?' is all you need to ask.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué ha pasado?
/keh ah pah-SAH-doh/
This is the preferred version in most of Spain for events that have just happened or have relevance to the present. In Latin America, it sounds a bit more formal or emphatic, but is still understood.
¿Qué ocurrió?
/keh oh-koo-RRYOH/
A more formal equivalent, similar to asking 'What occurred?' in English. It's often used in news reports, official inquiries, or when you want to sound more serious or detached.
¿Qué sucedió?
/keh soo-theh-DYOH/ (Spain) or /keh soo-seh-DYOH/ (LatAm)
Very similar to '¿Qué ocurrió?', this phrase means 'What transpired?' or 'What took place?'. It carries a slightly more literary or dramatic tone.
¿Qué onda?
/keh OHN-dah/
A very common, multi-purpose slang phrase. While it often means 'What's up?', it's frequently used to ask 'What happened?' when something seems off or surprising. Its meaning is heavily dependent on context and tone.
¿Y eso?
/ee EH-soh/
Literally 'And that?', this is a short, casual way to ask for an explanation. It's like saying 'What's that about?' or 'What was that?' after seeing or hearing something unexpected.
¿Qué fue eso?
/keh fweh EH-soh/
This translates to 'What was that?'. It's perfect for reacting to a sudden noise, a strange comment, or a quick, unexpected event.
¿Me cuentas?
/meh KWEHN-tahs/
A softer, more inviting way to ask, meaning 'Are you going to tell me?' or 'Fill me in'. It shows you're interested in hearing the full story and gives the other person an opening to share.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to ask 'What happened?' depends on your location, the formality of the situation, and the nuance you want to convey. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué pasó? | Neutral | Almost any situation, especially in Latin America. It's the universal default. | You want to sound specifically formal or are trying to blend in perfectly in Spain. |
| ¿Qué ha pasado? | Neutral | Everyday use in Spain for recent events. It's the standard there. | In very casual Latin American contexts, where it can sound a bit stiff. |
| ¿Qué ocurrió? | Formal | Business meetings, official reports, or discussing serious incidents with gravity. | Chatting with friends, family, or children. It's too impersonal. |
| ¿Qué onda? | Very Informal | Slang with friends in Mexico or Argentina when something seems off. | With elders, in professional settings, or with people you don't know well. |
📈Difficulty Level
The sounds in '¿Qué pasó?' are very straightforward for English speakers. The 'o' sound at the end is pure and short, not a diphthong like the English 'oh'.
It's a simple question using the preterite (simple past) tense. The only minor complexity is knowing the regional difference between using the preterite ('pasó') vs. the present perfect ('ha pasado').
Understanding when to use formal versions versus informal slang, and knowing the major regional difference between Spain and Latin America, requires some cultural awareness.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the Spain vs. Latin America tense preference.
- Knowing when informal slang like '¿Qué onda?' is appropriate.
💡Examples in Action
Llegué a la oficina y todos estaban en silencio. Le pregunté a mi colega: 'Oye, ¿qué pasó aquí?'
I arrived at the office and everyone was silent. I asked my colleague: 'Hey, what happened here?'
Vimos las luces de la ambulancia y la policía. Mi amigo me dijo: 'No sé qué ha pasado, pero parece serio'.
We saw the ambulance and police lights. My friend told me: 'I don't know what has happened, but it looks serious.'
Tu hermano llegó a casa llorando. Ve y pregúntale con calma: 'Mi amor, ¿qué te pasó?'
Your brother came home crying. Go and ask him calmly: 'My love, what happened to you?'
El director del proyecto inició la reunión diciendo: 'Necesitamos entender exactamente qué ocurrió ayer con el servidor'.
The project director started the meeting by saying: 'We need to understand exactly what occurred yesterday with the server.'
🌍Cultural Context
Spain vs. Latin America: A Tale of Two Pasts
The biggest difference you'll notice is between '¿Qué pasó?' (Latin America) and '¿Qué ha pasado?' (Spain). While both mean 'What happened?', Spain prefers the present perfect tense (ha pasado) for recent events. In Latin America, using 'ha pasado' can sound a bit formal or bookish; the simple past ('pasó') is the everyday choice.
The Power of Tone
How you ask '¿Qué pasó?' can change its meaning entirely. A sharp, loud '¡¿Qué pasó?!' can mean 'What's your problem?!' or 'What was that for?!'. A soft, concerned '¿Qué pasó?' shows empathy and care. Pay attention to your tone to make sure you're conveying the right emotion.
Gossip and 'Chisme'
Asking 'What happened?' is often the gateway to 'chisme' (gossip). Phrases like '¿Me cuentas?' or the more direct '¡Cuéntamelo todo!' ('Tell me everything!') are playful ways to show you're ready to hear all the juicy details from a friend. It's a very common and sociable part of interaction.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Present vs. Past Tense Confusion
Mistake: "Using '¿Qué pasa?' when you mean '¿Qué pasó?'."
Correction: Use '¿Qué pasó?' for something that already occurred.
Getting Too Formal
Mistake: "Using '¿Qué ocurrió?' or '¿Qué sucedió?' with friends."
Correction: Stick with '¿Qué pasó?' in casual conversations.
Literal Translation Errors
Mistake: "Trying to say 'What did happen?' by saying '¿Qué hizo pasar?'."
Correction: Just say '¿Qué pasó?'.
💡Pro Tips
When in Doubt, '¿Qué pasó?' Works
If you're ever unsure which version to use, '¿Qué pasó?' is your safest bet. It's understood everywhere and fits nearly every level of formality. It's the most versatile tool in your toolbox for this question.
Show Concern First
If someone looks upset, it's often more natural to first ask '¿Estás bien?' (Are you okay?) or '¿Todo bien?' (Everything okay?). Then, you can follow up with '¿Qué pasó?'. This shows you care about the person, not just the drama.
Asking 'What Happened to You?'
To make the question personal, just add 'te'. '¿Qué te pasó?' directly asks 'What happened *to you*?'. This is perfect if you see a friend with a cast on their arm or looking sad.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of the present perfect ('ha pasado') for recent past events is the most defining feature. You'll also hear the 'vosotros' form: '¿Qué os ha pasado?' (What happened to you all?).
Mexico
Mexico is famous for its rich slang. '¿Qué onda?' is incredibly versatile and common among friends. The straightforward '¿Qué pasó?' remains the standard in all other contexts.
Argentina & Uruguay (Rioplatense)
The use of 'vos' is key. To ask someone directly, you'd say '¿Qué te pasó a vos?'. The intonation often has a melodic, almost Italian-sounding cadence.
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Qué pasó?
WhatsApp, social media comments, text messages.
Vi tu post. q paso? tas bien?
I saw your post. what happened? are you okay?
¿Qué pasó?
Used interchangeably with 'q paso'. The 'k' is a phonetic replacement for 'qu'.
k paso ayer en la fiesta?
what happened yesterday at the party?
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask '¿Qué pasó?' and they explain a surprising event.
Y de repente, ¡empezó a nevar en mayo!
And suddenly, it started snowing in May!
¡No me digas! ¿En serio?
No way! Seriously?
You ask a friend '¿Qué te pasó?' because they look sad.
Nada, solo un mal día.
Nothing, just a bad day.
¿Seguro? Si quieres hablar, aquí estoy.
Are you sure? If you want to talk, I'm here.
You ask '¿Qué fue eso?' after hearing a crash.
Creo que se cayó un plato en la cocina.
I think a plate fell in the kitchen.
Voy a ver si todo está bien.
I'm going to see if everything is okay.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest contrast is the grammatical distinction between '¿Qué pasó?' (simple past) and '¿Qué ha pasado?' (present perfect), which is more about regional preference in Spanish than about the specific timing of the event, unlike in English. In English, 'What happened?' and 'What has happened?' have slightly different grammatical implications, whereas in Spanish, they often describe the exact same situation but reveal where the speaker is from.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: This is a literal word-for-word translation of '¿Qué pasa?' but it makes no sense in English. It highlights how you can't translate verbs and questions directly.
Use instead: '¿Qué pasa?' means 'What's happening?' or 'What's the matter?'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'Are you okay?'
This is the most natural and caring follow-up question after you ask 'What happened?'.
How to say 'What's happening?'
Learning '¿Qué pasa?' helps you master the difference between present and past events.
How to say 'Tell me'
Phrases like 'Cuéntame' or 'Dime' are essential for encouraging someone to share their story.
How to say 'I don't know'
This is a common and necessary response when someone asks you '¿Qué pasó?' and you're not sure.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What happened?
Question 1 of 3
You're traveling in Madrid and you see a crowd gathering. To ask a local what's going on, which phrase would make you sound most natural?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between '¿Qué pasó?' and '¿Qué ha pasado?'
Functionally, they mean the same thing: 'What happened?'. The main difference is regional. '¿Qué pasó?' is standard in Latin America for any past event. '¿Qué ha pasado?' is the standard in Spain for events that just happened or are still relevant. Think of it as a regional accent, not a difference in meaning.
Can I use '¿Qué onda?' outside of Mexico?
Yes, but with caution. It's also very common in Argentina and parts of Central America. However, in other countries like Spain, Colombia, or Peru, it's not used as frequently and might sound strange or overly informal. When in doubt, stick to '¿Qué pasó?'.
How do I ask 'What happened to them?' (plural)?
You would use the indirect object pronoun 'les'. The question becomes '¿Qué les pasó?'. For example, if you see a group of people looking distressed, you could ask someone nearby, '¿Qué les pasó a ellos?' (What happened to them?).
Is '¿Qué sucedió?' ever used in normal conversation?
It's rare in casual, everyday conversation. It would be like asking 'What transpired?' at the dinner table. You'll mostly hear it in news reports, historical documentaries, or perhaps when someone is telling a story in a very dramatic way. For 99% of your conversations, '¿Qué pasó?' is better.
What's the difference between '¿Qué pasó?' and '¿Qué te pasó?'?
'¿Qué pasó?' is a general question about an event. '¿Qué te pasó?' is a personal question directed at 'you' (tú form). You use '¿Qué te pasó?' when you can see something happened to a specific person, like they have an injury or seem upset.
If someone asks me '¿Qué pasó?', how should I start my answer?
You can start directly with what happened, for example: 'Se fue la luz' (The power went out). You can also use introductory phrases like 'Pues...' (Well...), 'Resulta que...' (It turns out that...), or 'Lo que pasó fue que...' (What happened was that...).
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