Thread: чего vs что

Hey, I've looked around, but can't find the answer: what's the difference between чего and что?

I know that (basically) чего and что are the same word in different cases, but what's the difference, for example, between:

чего ты хочешь?

And:

что ты хочешь?

Yes, it is the same word in different cases. In the sentence "чего/что ты хочешь?" both Accusative (что) and Genitive (чего) cases are acceptable, so sentences mean the same. Genitive here is of a bit more colloquial style though.

Ah, interesting. Thanks.

There is a slight stylistic difference. These examples below could help somehow, but to understand the stylistic connotation one has to consider several examples and usages. The simplest examples could be:

чего ты хочешь? - What is it that you want?
что ты хочешь? - What do you want?