What about you? means “and you?” or “how about you?”. You use it to return a question you've just answered yourself: you've talked about your plans, tastes or job and now ask the other person the same. With another word instead of you, the phrase suggests an option: What about Sunday? means “Shall we do it on Sunday?”
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statement + What about you?; What about + noun/person?; What about + -ing?
- I'm going to stay home and watch a film tonight. What about you?
- We've invited everyone from the team. What about Anna — is she coming?
- What about meeting at the station instead of the café? It's easier to find.
What changed
First versionI'm free on Sunday. What about to meet for coffee?
RevisionI'm free on Sunday. What about meeting for coffee?
When you suggest doing something, an infinitive like to meet feels natural. But after about, you need a noun or an -ing form: what about meeting, what about Sunday. To meet was replaced with meeting.
The same phrase can sound like a reproach if you stress you: You never wash the dishes! — What about you? You didn't wash them yesterday. Here it means “Look who's talking”. As a returned question, How about you? means the same as What about you? and sounds just as natural.
Your turn
I'm tired of pizza. What about ___ that new Thai place tonight?
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trying — This is a suggestion to try a new place, and after what about you need an -ing form: what about trying. To try doesn't follow about.
A new colleague asks where you're from. Write a reply: name your city and return the question with what about you.
I'm from Novosibirsk, but I've lived in Moscow for five years. What about you?
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