WBU Meaning: What Does WBU Mean in Text?
by Alishba Khan, fact-checked by Junaid Khan. Updated
WBU means what about you. Someone types it after sharing their own answer so you can share yours, like 'just got home, wbu?'. It is friendly, casual and used on every chat app.
How to say it: /ˌdʌb.əl.juː biː ˈjuː/ (said letter by letter, W-B-U) (phrase · texting abbreviation)
Key points
- WBU = what about you, a way to pass the question back.
- The B comes from bout, a short way to say about.
- It works almost the same as HBU, how about you.
- It is casual, so skip it in work emails.
What WBU means in a text
WBU stands for what about you. People type it right after they answer a question, so the other person can give their own answer. It keeps a chat moving without typing a full sentence. You will see it in texts, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, TikTok comments and game chats, and it is almost always friendly.
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| chilling at home, wbu? | I am relaxing at home. What are you doing? |
| I’m good, wbu | I am fine. How are you? |
| pizza for sure, wbu | I would pick pizza. What would you pick? |
| team summer here, wbu | I prefer summer. Which do you like? |
Where WBU comes from
WBU grew out of early texting and instant messaging, when people cut every phrase as short as they could. The B is not a typo. It comes from bout, the spoken short form of about, so the full phrase reads what bout you. Nobody can point to a first user or a set date. It simply spread with phones and chat apps, alongside short forms like HBU and WYD.
How people use WBU
WBU almost always comes at the end of a message, after the sender has shared something about themselves. That order matters. It tells you they answered first and now it is your turn. The form can be lowercase, capitals or with a question mark, and the meaning does not change. Here are the most common places it pops up.
- Small talk: what are you up to? just ate, wbu
- Plans: I’m free Friday, wbu?
- Opinions: that show was mid, wbu
- Checking in: tired but ok, wbu
How to reply to WBU
The right reply to WBU is simply your answer to the question that started the chat. If they told you what they are doing, tell them what you are doing. Keep it about the same length as their message, so the chat feels balanced. A short question back is a good way to keep things going if you want to.
- same, just watching something lol
- busy day, finally home now
- I’m good too, what are you watching?
If you have no interest in chatting, a quick all good without a question back usually ends things politely.
Similar texting short forms
WBU has a few close cousins that do almost the same job. Most of them pass a question back or ask what someone is up to. Knowing them helps you answer fast in a busy group chat. If you like these, you may also want to read what WYGG means in text and what MYH means.
| Short form | Stands for | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HBU | How about you | Same as WBU, often after how are you |
| WYD | What you doing | Asks what someone is doing now |
| WBY | What about you | A rarer spelling of the same idea |
| HRU | How are you | Opens a check-in |
| U2 | You too | Returns a wish, like have a nice day |
Common mistakes with WBU
The most common mistake is sending WBU without answering first. If someone asks how you are and you reply only with wbu, it can look like you skipped their question. Another mistake is reading the B as be, which leads to odd guesses. It also helps to know which chats are too formal for this kind of short form.
- Answer first, then add wbu at the end.
- Do not use it in a cover letter, a client email or a message to a teacher.
- Do not mix it up with body slang like FUPA, which is a word, not a question.
- One wbu per message is plenty.
When to skip WBU
WBU suits relaxed chats with friends, family and people you know well. In formal writing, it can look careless, even when the reader understands it. Some older relatives may not know it at all, which turns a simple question into a puzzle. In those cases just type the full phrase. It costs you three seconds and avoids any confusion about what you meant.
Questions people ask
What does WBU mean from a girl?
It means the same from anyone: what about you. If a girl sends it, she has answered your question and wants to hear your side. It is a good sign that she wants the chat to keep going.
What is the difference between WBU and HBU?
WBU is what about you and HBU is how about you. In practice they are used the same way. HBU fits slightly better after a how question, like how are you.
How do you reply to WBU?
Just answer the question you asked in the first place. If you asked what they were doing, tell them what you are doing. Adding a short follow-up question keeps the chat alive.
What does WBU mean on Snapchat?
On Snapchat it means what about you, the same as in texts. It often shows up in streak chats where people trade quick updates like wyd and wbu.
Is WBU rude?
No. It is a friendly way to show interest. It can feel lazy if someone sends only wbu without answering first, but that is about effort, not rudeness.
Can I use WBU at work?
In a quick team chat with friendly coworkers it is usually fine. In emails, with clients or with your boss, write the full phrase instead.
Sources
We checked this page against these references. The examples were written by our editors.
See also:
Fact checked: Junaid Khan checked this page against Merriam-Webster, Cambridge and Oxford. How we check. Published , last updated .
About the author
Alishba Khan: Alishba Khan is a UX researcher with more than six years in IT. Her day job is listening to real people and writing down what they mean in plain words. At Wordhurst she writes the pages on synonyms, other ways to say things, slang, emoji and word meanings.