As determiners the difference between this and what
is that
this is while
what is which; which kind of.
As a pronoun what is
(interrogative) which thing, event, circumstance, etc: used interrogatively in asking for the specification of an identity, quantity, quality, etc.
As an adverb what is
in some manner or degree; in part; partly; usually followed by
with .
As an interjection what is
.
As a noun what is
(obsolete) something; thing; stuff.