Thread: как or что ?

как means how, and что means what. So you don't say often, "How are you thinking?"; you say more often, "What are you thinking?".

как also means like, when used as a relative pronoun, and что also means that, when used as a relative pronoun.

My teacher often asks questions like us these: "Что вы думаете? Вы думаете, что Джей русский или американец?"

"What do you think? Do you think that Jay is Russian or American?"

Originally Posted by Tararwen

My teacher often asks questions like us these: "Что вы думаете? Вы думаете, что Джей русский или американец?"

"What do you think? Do you think that Jay is Russian or American?"

That is quite an unnatural way to say it. "Что вы думаете" doesn't work well with "or": usually it implies you should express your thoughts, not just pick an option (yes/no, Russian/American). "Что вы думаете?" can also be used separately, for example, when you are making an offer and then ask "So, what do you think?" (i.e. is it a bargain?).

Besides, as I already said, "Вы думаете, что Джей русский или американец" sounds as if you were reflecting on the fact that Jay is either Russian or American (that is, active thought process vs. having an opinion). Usually it would be "Как вы думаете, Джей русский или американец?" Remember, "как вы думаете" is a set expression, so it doesn't mean "how do you think" word-for-word.

@Shady_arc: Yup, you're right. I even got them confused. I just found my scrawled out notes and it says, "Что вы думаете? Вы думаете, что Джей русский?" and, "Как вы думаете? Вы думаете, что Джей русский или американец?" Thank you for correcting my mistake.