The spelling of the phrase "what takes" can be confusing as it doesn't follow traditional English spelling patterns. The correct pronunciation is /wʌt teɪks/ and it means "what is happening" or "what is going on." The 'a' in "what" is pronounced as short vowel sound /ʌ/ and the 'e' in "takes" is pronounced as a long vowel sound /eɪ/. This phrase may be more commonly heard in informal language and should not be mistaken for the grammatically correct question "what is taking place?"
"What takes" is a phrase that is commonly used in informal speech and particularly in conversational English. It can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
One possible definition of "what takes" is an expression used to inquire about someone's actions or behavior. It is often used rhetorically to seek an explanation or justification for someone's conduct. For example, if someone says, "What takes you so long?" they are essentially asking why the person took a significant amount of time to complete a particular task or arrive at a designated place. In this sense, "what takes" functions as a colloquial way of asking why someone is behaving or acting in a specific manner.
Another meaning of "what takes" is the literal translation of a task or action. It refers to the time, effort, or steps needed to accomplish something. For instance, if someone asks, "What takes to become a doctor?" they are inquiring about the education, training, and other requirements necessary to pursue a medical profession. In this sense, "what takes" is used to understand the process involved.
Overall, "what takes" is a versatile phrase that can have different interpretations depending on the context. It can be used to question someone's behavior or actions, or to seek information about the steps needed to achieve a specific goal.
The phrase "what takes" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words.
The word "what" has its origins in Old English and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hwat", meaning "what" or "which". It has been used in English since the 9th century and is still used today to introduce a direct or indirect question or as a pronoun to inquire about something.
The word "takes" is the third person singular present tense of the verb "take" which originated from Middle English and has Old English roots. "Take" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "takan" and has various meanings such as acquiring possession, accepting, or seizing.
When combined, the phrase "what takes" simply means "what something acquires" or "what something requires".