13 Clever Ways To Respond To "Wassup?" Or "What's Up?" - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow 14 Clever Ways to Respond to "Wassup?" or "What's Up?" PDF download Download Article Celebrity dating coach Damona Hoffman shares the best response to “Wassup” Co-authored by Damona Hoffman and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: December 31, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Damona Hoffman and by wikiHow staff writer, Marcus Pruitt, BS. Damona Hoffman is a dating coach, on-air personality, and bestselling author. Her book "F the Fairy Tale" (2024) busts outdated dating myths and offers an empowering new approach to love. With over 15 years of experience, she's regular contributor to The Drew Barrymore Show, NPR, and NBC’s Access Daily. Damona has also written columns for The LA Times and The Washington Post. Additionally, she’s consulted for numerous dating apps including OkCupid, Match, and Bumble. Damona also hosts the award-winning podcast Dates & Mates. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 406,310 times.

Ah, that age-old question—"wassup?!" You might've heard it thrown around so often that it's hard to come up with a fresh and creative answer! Don't worry, though—we've got you covered! We’ve compiled a ton of examples to help you have fun with this common question. Plus, we’ll also explain what “wassup” means, with insights from dating and relationship coaches.

How to Respond to “Wassup”

Celebrity dating coach Damona Hoffman suggests ignoring a text that says “Wassup” because it's so low-effort. If you do want to respond, say something like “Not much, what about you?” You can also say something more flirty or casual if you two are close.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Ways to Respond to “Wassup”

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  1. Step 1 “Not much, you?” 1 “Not much, you?” Keep it simple and give a buddy the go-to answer to their question. While you may want to get extra creative with everyone else, you can relax a little with the people who’re closest to you. Your friends already know you’re witty and clever, so you can keep it chill and share that not much is going on. Then, express interest in their lives.[1]
    • Example: “Nothing new…what about you?”
    • Example: “All’s well. How about you?”
    • Example: “Same old, same old. Anything new in your world?”
    • This may not be the best option to go with if the person you’re talking to is a crush or romantic interest, as it can come off as dry or dismissive.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Damona Hoffman is a dating coach, on-air personality, and bestselling author. Her book F the Fairy Tale (2024) busts outdated dating myths and offers an empowering new approach to love.

    Julianne Cantarella is a dating coach, certified life coach, licensed social eorker, and the CEO and President of New Jersey's Matchmaker. She has over a decade of experience.

    Lisa Shield is a dating coach based in Los Angeles with over 17 years of experience. She specializes in helping people find and maintain strong, loving, and healthy relationships.

  2. Step 2 “Just knocking out some work. What about you?” 2 “Just knocking out some work. What about you?” Life and relationship coach Lisa Shield says, “Really great conversation happens when you take one topic and then you go deeper.”[2] So, a “wassup” message can develop into a deeper conversation if you respond with a proper follow-up, like “Nothing much, just up grinding out some work. Hbu?”
    • Example: “Nothing much, I’m just finishing up this project. What about you?”
    • Example: “Nothing much. Chilling fr, just got home. Hbu?”
    • Example: “Just chilling and watching Netflix. How about you?”
    • Once the person responds, ask follow-up questions about what they just said. For example, if they just got off work, ask them how it was.
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  3. Step 3 “After seeing you? My mood!” 3 “After seeing you? My mood!” Compliment anyone who could use an extra boost of confidence. It’s great for everyone in your life, from a friend to an acquaintance. It’s an especially effective answer if the person is shy or isn’t used to the attention. When they asked their question, they probably expected to hear about you. When you shine the spotlight on them, they’ll be pleasantly surprised.[3]
    • Example: “Now that you’re talking to me? My happiness!”
    • Example: “With you in the room? My energy level!”
    • Example: “After learning you went to Spain? My curiosity!”
  4. Step 4 “I don’t have any complaints!” 4 “I don’t have any complaints!” Stay upbeat if you want to charm a stranger with your optimism. To build rapport with someone or leave them with a wonderful first impression, be really cheerful and smile. This option is great if you’ve just met a person and they haven’t had a taste of your personality yet—they’ll instantly warm up to your great attitude.
    • Example: “I’m a happy camper! Life’s been treating me really well!”
    • Example: “Everything’s looking up! I’ve made a lot of progress lately.”
    • Example: “Nothing but good news on my end! I’m very grateful.”
  5. Step 5 “Hopefully not my rent!” 5 “Hopefully not my rent!” Get creative and point out what you don’t want to go up. Since you can go in all kinds of directions when someone asks “wassup,” think about an answer that goes beyond “not much.” Impress a whole crowd with a clever one-liner and keep things fresh.
    • Example: “It better not be my cholesterol levels! I’ve been eating healthy…”
    • Example: “Not my student loans! I just have to keep making my payments.”
    • Example: “With any luck, not my grocery bill! I’m not buying name brands anymore!”
  6. Step 6 “In a perfect world? My salary!” 6 “In a perfect world? My salary!” Make your bestie laugh with a sassy response. Turn their question into an opportunity to share a funny moment with each other. If you want to get extra goofy, throw in a silly facial expression like a wink.[4]
    • Example: “If life were fair? My grades!"
    • Example: "My energy levels, if I had my way!"
    • Example: "In about a couple weeks? My PTO! Cancun, here I come!"
  7. Step 7 “How much time do you have?” 7 “How much time do you have?” Play around with anyone easy to joke with, like an unsuspecting relative. First, hint that you have a story to tell. Then, tease them for asking such an open-ended question. If you really do want to spill all the details of your life and you trust them, go for it! Otherwise, just pretend like you’re about to vent and then say you were just kidding.
    • Example: “Can you stick around for a bit? I’ll need at least twenty minutes…”
    • Example: “How long’s your attention span? I’m in the mood to overshare.”
    • Example: “Okay, let me tell you my life story! Just joking.”
  8. Step 8 “Our time on Earth…so let’s make the most of it!” 8 “Our time on Earth…so let’s make the most of it!” Shake things up and motivate whoever is talking to you. If they’re on autopilot and asking a basic question, see if you can inspire them and tell them to live every moment like it’s their last. Take the opportunity to spark a convo or help them get pumped up.
    • Example: “Our chances to waste another moment! Let’s go!”
    • Example: “Our opportunity to just wait around. Time for an adventure!”
    • Example: “Our time on this planet, in the long scheme of things. Think about the bigger picture!”
  9. Step 9 “Who paid you to ask me that?!” 9 “Who paid you to ask me that?!” Pretend to be suspicious to put on a show for your friends. Get really theatrical—look to your right and then to your left, as though someone were watching you. Lean in really close like you’re talking about a really sensitive subject. Finally, lower your voice and drop it to a whisper. Act as though you’re an important person whom some outside force needs to keep tabs on.
    • Example: “Have the secret agents found me?! What have you told them?”
    • Example: “Hey, that’s not cool of you to ask! You know I’m on the run.”
    • Example: “I’m not sure how to answer that. Do you have a wire on you?!”
  10. Step 10 “My hopes…because you swiped ‘right’ on me.” 10 “My hopes…because you swiped ‘right’ on me.” If you matched on a dating app like Tinder or had a “meet cute” in person, win them over with some sweet words. Be flirty if you want to spark up a romance with a new crush. They’ll be amazed by how you took a basic introduction and turned it into an opportunity to make them swoon.
    • Example: “My heart rate…now that you’re giving me the time of day!”
    • Example: “My pulse…your pics and your bio are so spellbinding!”
    • Example: “My level of attraction! Your IG hypnotized me.”
  11. Step 11 “When you ask that question? My anxiety levels, haha!” 11 “When you ask that question? My anxiety levels, haha!” Make a joke about how awkward you feel with anyone you trust. If you two share a good connection, but their question feels way too loaded at the moment, hint that it’s not a great time. Give a brief and funny answer to sidestep a potentially messy discussion.
    • Example: “My blood pressure! What a loaded question! Moving on…”
    • Example: ”Yikes! My discomfort! That’s way too hard to answer.”
    • Example: “My nervousness, ha! Let’s change the subject!”
  12. Step 12 “The opposite of down.” 12 “The opposite of down.” Give a really literal answer to anyone who likes sarcasm. If you’d rather just move past their question and jump into an actual conversation, give a quick and sarcastic reply. You’ll probably get a chuckle out of them, and then you can both switch topics.
    • Example: “A two-letter preposition. You’re welcome for the grammar lesson!”
    • Example: “A super cute movie that made me cry. Check it out!”
    • Example: “Whatever’s above me!”
  13. Step 13 “Come on, you know that! The sky!” 13 “Come on, you know that! The sky!” Give a silly and obvious answer if they’re easily amused. This reply usually works best with anyone who hasn’t heard the joke before, like young kids. It’s also fine to use with family members who get a kick out of anything you’d say, such as grandparents who want to try out some new slang.
    • Example: “Birds, planes, and, on a good day, UFOs!”
    • Example: “Clouds! It’s super overcast today.”
    • Example: “A roof over our heads! Aren’t we so blessed?”
  14. Step 14 “Just busy working on this project!” 14 “Just busy working on this project!” Be polite and let a peer know you’re busy. If someone in one of your classes reaches out, but you have a lot of deadlines to think about, keep the conversation short. This answer is also helpful anytime that you’re not interested in chatting.[5]
    • Example: “Papers! So many papers! I should probably turn off my phone.”
    • Example: “Lots of prep for my exams. I’ll catch you later!”
    • Example: “A big presentation tomorrow, that’s what! I’ve got to rehearse it tonight.”
  15. 15 Nothing at all Hoffman suggests taking a different approach if you get a text that just says “Wassup.” “You don’t respond to ‘Wassup,’” she says. “A low-effort message deserves an even lower-effort reply. If they are serious, they’ll send another message with some substance.”[6]
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Section 2 of 2:

What does “wassup” mean?

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  1. “Wassup” is a casual way to ask “what’s up” or greet someone. “Wassup” is often used as a friendly greeting over text. It may be swapped out with something like “wsp” or “what’s good,” but they’re all ways to ask you what’s new and open the door for conversation. “Wassup” isn’t text exclusive, either, as it can be used in real life, too.[7]
    • Dating & relationship coach Julianne Cantarella says you might rethink your conversation if someone goes quiet, then randomly texts you “wassup.” It usually means you’re on their mind but aren't focused on you.[8]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question How can you tell if someone is flirting with you over text? Julianne Cantarella Julianne Cantarella Dating & Relationship Coach Julianne Cantarella is a Dating Coach, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Social Worker, and the CEO and President of New Jersey's Matchmaker. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping women heal from a heartbreak and create healthy long-term relationships. Julianne created a comprehensive transformational date coaching program From First Date to Soulmate™ that has helped hundreds of women find love. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University. Julianne has contributed to numerous media such as Your Tango Online Magazine, 24Seven Wellness Magazine, and Talk of The Town Magazine. She has also been featured as a relationship expert on CBS, iHeartRadio, and PBS “This Emotional Life Project.” Julianne Cantarella Julianne Cantarella Dating & Relationship Coach Expert Answer When someone is flirting, they're tone will be complimentary or flattering. They want to make you feel special. Typically, flirtacious texts will also be light-hearted. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12
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References

  1. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/whats-up
  2. Lisa Shield. Life & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview
  3. https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/want-to-make-a-great-impression-25-go-to-phrases-that-work-magic-especially-for-.html
  4. https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-turn-small-talk-into-smart-conversation/
  5. https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/22368306/social-awkwardness-conversations-adam-mastroianni
  6. Damona Hoffman. Celebrity Dating Coach. Expert Interview
  7. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wassup
  8. Julianne Cantarella. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview

About This Article

Damona Hoffman Co-authored by: Damona Hoffman Celebrity Dating Coach This article was co-authored by Damona Hoffman and by wikiHow staff writer, Marcus Pruitt, BS. Damona Hoffman is a dating coach, on-air personality, and bestselling author. Her book "F the Fairy Tale" (2024) busts outdated dating myths and offers an empowering new approach to love. With over 15 years of experience, she's regular contributor to The Drew Barrymore Show, NPR, and NBC’s Access Daily. Damona has also written columns for The LA Times and The Washington Post. Additionally, she’s consulted for numerous dating apps including OkCupid, Match, and Bumble. Damona also hosts the award-winning podcast Dates & Mates. This article has been viewed 406,310 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 8 Updated: December 31, 2025 Views: 406,310 Categories: Texting
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Damona Hoffman Co-authored by: Damona Hoffman Celebrity Dating Coach Click a star to vote Co-authors: 8 Updated: December 31, 2025 Views: 406,310

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