Who: meaning, definitions and examples

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who

[huː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Pronoun}

used for asking or referring to which person or people

used when asking which person or people.

Synonyms

which person, whom, whose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
who	Used as a subject when referring to a person doing an action. Who is going to the party? Who called me earlier?
whom	Used as an object when referring to a person receiving an action. Not commonly used in everyday conversation and might sound formal. To whom did you send the letter? Whom are you talking about?
which person	Used when you need to choose or identify a specific person from a group. Which person is in charge of the meeting? Can you tell me which person helped you?
whose	Used to show possession or association with a person. Whose book is this? Do you know whose car is parked outside?

Examples of usage

Who is that?
Who are you talking to?

^{Context #2 | Noun}

a person whose name one does not know or cannot recall

an unknown or unspecified person.

Synonyms

person, somebody, someone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
who	Used in questions to ask about the identity of a person, or to introduce a dependent clause referring to a person. Not used as a standalone noun. Who is that? I don't know who he is.
somebody	Used informally to refer to an unspecified or unknown person. It can imply a sense of importance or particularity, often in casual conversation. Somebody left their bag here. Is somebody there?
someone	Also used to refer to an unspecified or unknown person. It is slightly more formal than 'somebody' and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Someone called for you earlier. I need to talk to someone about this.
person	Refers to an individual human being. Used in formal and general contexts to talk about someone specifically. There is a person waiting for you. He is a very kind person.

Examples of usage

She's a real estate agent who helped us find our new home.
He's the one who called earlier.

^{Context #3 | Interrogative pronoun}

used for asking about someone's identity or asking for information about someone

used to ask about someone's identity or to request information about someone.

Synonyms

which person, whom, whose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
who	Used to refer to a person or people in general. It is often used as the subject of a sentence or a clause. Who is that man standing over there? I don't know who left this package at my door.
which person	Used in questions to specify or identify a particular individual from among a group. Which person should we contact for more information? Can you tell me which person won the award?
whose	Possessive form used to ask about or identify to whom something belongs. Whose keys are these on the table? Do you know the girl whose cat ran away?
whom	Formal or written language to refer to the object of a verb or preposition. Often used in questions and relative clauses. To whom should I address this letter? The person whom I met yesterday was very helpful.

Examples of usage

Who is coming to the party?
Who won the game?

Interesting Facts

Etymology

'Who' comes from Old English 'hwā', which shared roots with words in other Germanic languages, showing its ancient history.
Similar words exist in various languages, like 'qui' in French and 'quem' in Latin, highlighting its role in many cultures.
The word has retained its form largely unchanged for over a thousand years, reflecting its fundamental role in language.

Grammar

'Who' is often used as a pronoun, functioning as the subject of a verb, encouraging inquiry about individuals.
It can also be used to introduce clauses, such as 'the person who helped me', linking it to ideas and actions.
Questions beginning with 'who' are fundamental in English, emphasizing relationships and identities.

Linguistics

In many languages, 'who' serves as a primary interrogative pronoun, showcasing the universal need to ask about people.
Studies show that the ability to ask 'who' is one of the earliest language skills developed in children.
Regional dialects may prefer different phrasings, like 'who's' for informal contexts, demonstrating language evolution.

Pop Culture

The British rock band 'The Who' gained fame in the 1960s, helping to shape the rock genre and youth culture.
In the realm of literature, 'Who' as a theme of identity is prominent in works exploring personal narratives and mysteries.
The phrase 'Who done it?' refers to detective genres, emphasizing the importance of uncovering identity in storytelling.

Psychology

Asking 'who' often relates to social cognition, as we seek to understand relationships and social structures.
Research indicates that connecting a name with a face enhances memory, making 'who' a critical aspect of human interaction.
Understanding who someone is can impact everything from empathy to negotiation, showing the word’s strategic significance in communication.

Translations

Translations of the word "who" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quem

🇮🇳 कौन

🇩🇪 wer

🇮🇩 siapa

🇺🇦 хто

🇵🇱 kto

🇯🇵 誰 (dare)

🇫🇷 qui

🇪🇸 quién

🇹🇷 kim

🇰🇷 누구 (nugu)

🇸🇦 من (man)

🇨🇿 kdo

🇸🇰 kto

🇨🇳 谁 (shéi)

🇸🇮 kdo

🇮🇸 hver

🇰🇿 кім

🇬🇪 ვინ (vin)

🇦🇿 kim

🇲🇽 quién

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.

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22 other
23 more
24 her
25 who
26 may
27 such
28 any
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