"WBU" stands for "What about you?" It is an internet slang abbreviation commonly used in texting and online conversations to ask the other person about their thoughts, feelings, or activities, typically after sharing one's own. It serves as a casual way to keep the conversation going and show interest in the other person's response
. The phrase originated from the informal shortening of "about" to "'bout," leading from "What about you?" to "What 'bout you?" and then abbreviated to "WBU." It is mostly used in informal, digital communication among peers
. Examples of usage include:
- "I'm hungry, wbu?"
- "I’m ready for a snow day, wbu?"
- "I just finished watching a new show. Wbu?"
"WBU" is often typed in lowercase and is a polite way to express social reciprocity in online chats
. It is interchangeable with similar abbreviations like "HBU" (How about you?)
. In summary, "WBU" means "What about you?" and is used to turn the conversation back to the other person in a friendly, informal manner.