"What do you mean?" = "o que" or "que"?
I told a story to my brasilian friend, and he replied "hummm". I want to ask him what he means by writing "hummm". Like "hahaha, what do you mean with "hummm"? :P" but I just want to say "hahaha what?". How do I say this in portuguese? Can I write "hahaha o que?" or "hahaha que?" or does this sound rude/wrong?

Thanks

Question

"What do you mean?" = "o que" or "que"?
I told a story to my brasilian friend, and he replied "hummm". I want to ask him what he means by writing "hummm". Like "hahaha, what do you mean with "hummm"? :P" but I just want to say "hahaha what?". How do I say this in portuguese? Can I write "hahaha o que?" or "hahaha que?" or does this sound rude/wrong?

Thanks

Answer

As you are talking with your friend, you can use both. Anyway if you say "Quê?" sounds like an interjection (Quê?!) and is not as polite as "O quê?" or "Como?".

P.S.: In the end of the question "que" has accent (quê).

Answer

O que is what.
O que é isto?  what is this?
Que is how
Que bizarro!  How bizarre!.

Answer

Hã??? (like.. what???)
Quê???
O quê você quer dizer com "Hummm"?

If he's a laid-back friend he won't take it as surly. :)