いったい
Meanings
Adverb
1. (what) the heck; (why) in the world; (who) on earth
before an interrogative, forms an emphatic question
Noun
2. one object; one body; unity
3. one form; one style
4. one Buddhist image (or carving, etc.)
Adverb
Noun
5. generally; in general
Kanji used
one
body
Pitch accent
ったい
Top 700
Used in vocabulary (16 in total)
unification; integration
(feeling of) identification; sense of unity
... the heck (e.g. "what the heck?"); ... in the world (e.g. "why in the world?"); ... on earth (e.g. "who on earth?")
to accrete; to become whole; to come together
the two views (of an object) referring to the same thing; being inseparable like the two sides of an object; two sides of the same coin
the Trinity; three parts; three components; three factors
combined unit; two-in-one unit; many-in-one unit; integrated model
unity of rider and horse
generally; in general
unified effort of government and private sector
integral; integrated; seamless; complete; unified
oneness; unity; integrity; inclusion
having one's workplace at home; living and working at the same location (independent farmers, home workers, storekeepers, etc.)
Examples (24 in total)
What on earth are you trying to say?
What in the world are you doing?
What in the world is this?