What's that mean? or What does that mean?

[cicero7]

May anyone explain me the difference between "What's that mean?" and "What does that mean?". Are they both right? In the first question what is the grammar function of thw word "mean"?
Thank you so much :)

[5jj]

Welcome to the forum, cicero7.

In informal conversation, 'what does that mean?' may sound very much like 'what's that mean?'

I recommend that you never write 'what's that mean?' unless you are trying to suggest fast, informal speech.

[cicero7]

Thank you very much, your answer was very useful :)