Learning how to ask “What are you doing?” in French is a fundamental step in mastering conversational French. This seemingly simple question opens doors to understanding daily activities, initiating conversations, and deepening relationships.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the various ways to ask this question, covering formal and informal contexts, nuances in meaning, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently ask “What are you doing?” in French.
This guide is designed for anyone learning French, from beginners taking their first steps to more advanced learners looking to refine their conversational skills. By understanding the different ways to formulate this question, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and naturally in a variety of situations.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Asking About Current Activities in French
- Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
- Types and Categories of Questions
- Examples of “What are you doing?” in French
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition: Asking About Current Activities in French
The phrase “What are you doing?” in French can be translated in several ways, depending on the level of formality and the specific context. At its core, the phrase aims to inquire about someone’s current activity or occupation. The most common and direct translation is “Qu’est-ce que tu fais ?”, which is generally used in informal settings. However, other variations exist to suit different social situations and levels of politeness. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effective communication.
The function of this question is to gather information about someone’s actions at the present moment. It can be used to initiate a conversation, express interest in someone’s activities, or simply make small talk.
The question can be posed in various contexts, ranging from casual conversations with friends to formal interactions with acquaintances or superiors. The choice of phrasing reflects the relationship between the speakers and the desired level of formality.
Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
Let’s break down the structure of the most common phrases used to ask “What are you doing?” in French:
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? – This is the most common informal way to ask the question.
- Qu’est-ce que – This is a common way to form questions in French and translates to “What is it that…”
- tu – This is the informal pronoun “you.”
- fais – This is the present tense conjugation of the verb faire (to do) for the tu form.
- Que fais-tu ? – This is a slightly more formal version of the previous question.
- Que – This is a shortened form of Qu’est-ce que used with inversion.
- fais – This is the present tense conjugation of the verb faire (to do) for the tu form.
- tu – This is the informal pronoun “you.” Note the inversion of the verb and pronoun.
- Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? – This is the formal way to ask the question.
- Qu’est-ce que – This is a common way to form questions in French and translates to “What is it that…”
- vous – This is the formal pronoun “you.”
- faites – This is the present tense conjugation of the verb faire (to do) for the vous form.
- Que faites-vous ? – This is a more formal version of the previous question, using inversion.
- Que – This is a shortened form of Qu’est-ce que used with inversion.
- faites – This is the present tense conjugation of the verb faire (to do) for the vous form.
- vous – This is the formal pronoun “you.” Note the inversion of the verb and pronoun.
Types and Categories of Questions
The way you ask “What are you doing?” in French depends heavily on the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing. There are three main categories to consider: formal questions, informal questions, and questions for specific situations.
Formal Questions
Formal questions are used when addressing someone you don’t know well, someone older than you, or someone in a position of authority. The formal pronoun vous is used. Formal questions prioritize politeness and respect.
The most common formal options are:
- Qu’est-ce que vous faites ?
- Que faites-vous ? (More formal due to inversion)
Informal Questions
Informal questions are used with friends, family, and people you know well. The informal pronoun tu is used. These questions are more casual and direct.
The most common informal options are:
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais ?
- Que fais-tu ? (Slightly more formal than the first, but still informal)
Questions for Specific Situations
Sometimes, you might want to be more specific about what someone is doing. You can add details to the basic question to get more precise information.
For example, you might ask about someone’s work, hobbies, or current activity.
Examples of specific situation questions include:
- Qu’est-ce que tu fais de beau ? (What are you doing that’s nice/good?)
- Qu’est-ce que tu fabriques ? (What are you up to? – more colloquial)
- Tu fais quoi en ce moment ? (What are you doing right now?)
Examples of “What are you doing?” in French
To fully understand how to use these phrases, let’s look at some examples in different contexts. The following tables provide a range of scenarios and corresponding French translations.
General Usage Examples
This section provides general examples of how to ask “What are you doing?” in various situations. The examples cover both formal and informal contexts.
The table below shows 30 different scenarios and their corresponding translations in French. Focus on the context and the appropriate level of formality.
| Scenario | French Translation (Informal) | French Translation (Formal) |
|---|---|---|
| Calling a friend on the phone | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Texting a colleague | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Seeing a neighbor in the garden | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Asking your child what they are doing | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | N/A |
| Seeing a friend working on a project | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | N/A |
| Asking a stranger for directions | N/A | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Encountering a colleague at a conference | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Seeing your sibling cooking | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | N/A |
| Asking a student in a class | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| Seeing your partner reading a book | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | N/A |
| Inquiring about a friend’s hobbies | Qu’est-ce que tu fais de beau ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites de beau ? |
| Wondering what a friend is up to | Qu’est-ce que tu fabriques ? | N/A |
| Asking what someone is currently occupied with | Tu fais quoi en ce moment ? | Vous faites quoi en ce moment ? |
| Enquiring about a friend’s weekend plans | Qu’est-ce que tu comptes faire ce week-end ? | Qu’est-ce que vous comptez faire ce week-end ? |
| Asking about a colleague’s after-work activities | Qu’est-ce que tu fais après le travail ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites après le travail ? |
| Seeing a friend sketching | Qu’est-ce que tu dessines ? | Qu’est-ce que vous dessinez ? |
| Asking a family member about their day | Qu’est-ce que tu as fait aujourd’hui ? | N/A |
| Seeing a friend watching TV | Qu’est-ce que tu regardes ? | Qu’est-ce que vous regardez ? |
| Inquiring about a friend’s side project | Tu bosses sur quoi en ce moment ? | N/A |
| Seeing a colleague packing for a trip | Tu pars où ? | Vous partez où ? |
| Seeing someone fixing a car | Qu’est-ce que tu répares ? | Qu’est-ce que vous réparez ? |
| Asking a child playing with toys | À quoi tu joues ? | N/A |
| Seeing someone painting | Qu’est-ce que tu peins ? | Qu’est-ce que vous peignez ? |
| Asking someone who is writing | Qu’est-ce que tu écris ? | Qu’est-ce que vous écrivez ? |
| Seeing someone exercising | Qu’est-ce que tu fais comme sport ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites comme sport ? |
| Asking a friend who is always busy | Tu deviens quoi ? | Vous devenez quoi ? |
| Seeing a friend online | Tu fais quoi sur internet ? | Vous faites quoi sur internet ? |
| Asking a roommate cooking | Qu’est-ce que tu cuisines ? | N/A |
| Asking a friend studying | Qu’est-ce que tu étudies ? | Qu’est-ce que vous étudiez ? |
| Seeing someone with a camera | Qu’est-ce que tu photographies ? | Qu’est-ce que vous photographiez ? |
Formal Usage Examples
This section focuses on examples of how to ask “What are you doing?” in formal situations. These examples are useful in professional settings or when addressing someone you don’t know well.
The table below provides 25 examples of formal scenarios and their French translations. Pay close attention to the use of vous and the more polite phrasing.
| Scenario | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Addressing a new client | Qu’est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? (What do you do for a living?) |
| Speaking to a professor during office hours | Que faites-vous comme recherches en ce moment ? (What research are you doing currently?) |
| Meeting a colleague at a conference | Qu’est-ce que vous présentez à la conférence ? (What are you presenting at the conference?) |
| Talking to a doctor about their specialty | Dans quoi êtes-vous spécialisé ? (What do you specialize in?) |
| Asking a business contact about their company | Que fait votre entreprise ? (What does your company do?) |
| Asking a librarian about their tasks | Quelles sont vos tâches principales ici ? (What are your main tasks here?) |
| Asking a new acquaintance about their hobbies | Qu’est-ce que vous aimez faire pendant votre temps libre ? (What do you like to do in your free time?) |
| Asking a presenter about their next project | Sur quoi comptez-vous travailler ensuite ? (What do you plan to work on next?) |
| Talking to a restaurant owner | Qu’est-ce qui vous a inspiré pour ce restaurant ? (What inspired you for this restaurant?) |
| Speaking with a hotel manager | Quels sont les défis que vous rencontrez ici ? (What challenges do you face here?) |
| Asking a craftsman about their work | Comment avez-vous appris ce métier ? (How did you learn this craft?) |
| Asking an artist about their inspiration | Qu’est-ce qui vous inspire pour vos œuvres ? (What inspires you for your works?) |
| Greeting a senior colleague at a work event | Comment allez-vous aujourd’hui ? (How are you today?) |
| Asking a new team member about their background | Quel est votre parcours professionnel ? (What is your professional background?) |
| Asking a guest speaker about their expertise | Dans quel domaine êtes-vous expert ? (In which field are you an expert?) |
| Asking an author about his book | Quel est le sujet de votre livre ? |
| Asking a CEO about the company’s strategy | Quelle est votre stratégie pour l’avenir de l’entreprise ? |
| Asking a head chef about the menu | Qu’est-ce qui vous a inspiré pour ce menu ? |
| Asking a designer about his project | Quels sont les objectifs de ce projet ? |
| Asking a scientist about his research | Quels sont les enjeux de votre recherche ? |
| Asking a politician about current affairs | Quelles sont vos priorités pour ce mandat ? |
| Asking a lawyer about his cases | Sur quels types d’affaires travaillez-vous ? |
| Asking a professor about his course | Quels sont les points clés de votre cours ? |
| Asking a consultant about his advice | Quels sont vos principaux conseils ? |
| Asking a director about his film | Qu’est-ce que vous avez voulu montrer avec ce film ? |
Informal Usage Examples
This section provides examples of how to ask “What are you doing?” in informal settings. These examples are appropriate when talking to friends, family, or people you know well.
The table below presents 20 informal scenarios and their French translations. Notice the use of tu and the more relaxed phrasing.
| Scenario | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Texting a friend on a Saturday morning | Qu’est-ce que tu fais aujourd’hui ? |
| Calling a family member during the week | Alors, quoi de neuf ? (So, what’s new?) |
| Seeing a friend online gaming | À quoi tu joues ? (What are you playing?) |
| Asking your sibling about their evening plans | Tu fais quoi ce soir ? |
| Talking to your roommate while they’re cooking | Qu’est-ce que tu cuisines ? |
| Asking a friend who’s always busy | Tu deviens quoi ? (What’s become of you?) |
| Seeing a friend sketching in a notebook | Qu’est-ce que tu dessines ? |
| Asking your partner about their day at work | Comment s’est passée ta journée ? (How was your day?) |
| Seeing a friend packing a suitcase | Tu pars où ? (Where are you going?) |
| Asking a friend what they’re watching on TV | Qu’est-ce que tu regardes ? |
| Seeing a friend online | Tu fais quoi sur internet ? |
| Asking a friend who is listening to music | Qu’est-ce que tu écoutes ? |
| Asking a friend who is reading a book | Qu’est-ce que tu lis ? |
| Asking a friend who is working on a computer | Tu travailles sur quoi ? |
| Asking a friend who is cleaning | Tu nettoies quoi ? |
| Asking a friend who is exercising | Tu fais quoi comme sport ? |
| Asking a friend who is studying | Qu’est-ce que tu étudies ? |
| Asking a friend who is writing | Qu’est-ce que tu écris ? |
| Asking a friend who is painting | Qu’est-ce que tu peins ? |
| Asking a friend who is fixing something | Qu’est-ce que tu répares ? |
Specific Context Examples
This section provides examples of how to ask “What are you doing?” in very specific scenarios. These examples will help you handle different situations with precision and cultural sensitivity.
The table below shows 20 specific situations and their French translations. These examples emphasize context-specific language.
| Scenario | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Seeing someone struggling with a task | Besoin d’aide ? (Need help?) |
| Noticing someone looking lost | Vous cherchez quelque chose ? (Are you looking for something?) – Formal |
| Seeing someone staring at a menu | Vous avez fait votre choix ? (Have you made your choice?) – Formal |
| Seeing someone taking photos | Qu’est-ce que tu photographies ? (What are you photographing?) |
| Seeing someone writing in a journal | Tu écris quoi de beau ? (What are you writing that’s nice?) |
| Walking in on someone practicing music | Tu joues quoi aujourd’hui ? (What are you playing today?) |
| Seeing someone knitting | Tu tricotes quoi ? (What are you knitting?) |
| Walking in on someone working out | Tu fais quoi comme exercice ? (What exercise are you doing?) |
| Seeing someone working on a car | Tu répares quoi sur la voiture ? (What are you fixing on the car?) |
| Seeing someone gardening | Tu plantes quoi ? (What are you planting?) |
| Seeing someone packing | Où est-ce que tu vas ? (Where are you going?) |
| Seeing someone painting | Qu’est-ce que tu peins ? (What are you painting?) |
| Seeing someone reading a map | Vous avez besoin d’aide pour vous orienter ? (Do you need help finding your way?) – Formal |
| Seeing someone searching for something | Vous cherchez quelque chose en particulier ? (Are you looking for something in particular?) – Formal |
| Seeing someone cleaning | Qu’est-ce que tu nettoies ? (What are you cleaning?) |
| Seeing someone cooking | Qu’est-ce que tu prépares de bon ? (What good things are you preparing?) |
| Seeing someone studying | Qu’est-ce que tu étudies en ce moment ? (What are you studying right now?) |
| Seeing someone thinking deeply | À quoi penses-tu ? (What are you thinking about?) |
| Seeing someone looking at the sky | Qu’est-ce que tu regardes ? (What are you looking at?) |
| Seeing someone drawing | Qu’est-ce que tu dessines ? (What are you drawing?) |
Usage Rules and Considerations
To use these phrases correctly, it’s important to understand the underlying grammar rules and considerations. This includes pronoun agreement, verb conjugation, and register formality.
Pronoun Agreement
Pronoun agreement is crucial in French. Using the correct pronoun (tu or vous) depends on your relationship with the person you are addressing. Incorrect pronoun usage can be considered impolite or disrespectful.
Tu is used with friends, family, and people you know well. Vous is used with strangers, people older than you, and people in positions of authority.
Verb Conjugation
The verb faire (to do) must be conjugated correctly in the present tense to match the pronoun you are using. Here’s the present tense conjugation of faire:
- Je fais (I do)
- Tu fais (You do – informal)
- Il/Elle/On fait (He/She/One does)
- Nous faisons (We do)
- Vous faites (You do – formal/plural)
- Ils/Elles font (They do)
Incorrect verb conjugation can lead to confusion and make your French sound unnatural. Always double-check your verb forms.
Register and Formality
The level of formality you use should match the situation. Using informal language in a formal setting can be seen as disrespectful, while using overly formal language with friends can sound stiff and unnatural.
Pay attention to the context and choose your words accordingly. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of formality.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
French learners often make common mistakes when asking “What are you doing?” Here are a few to avoid:
- Incorrect pronoun usage: Using tu when you should use vous, or vice versa.
- Incorrect verb conjugation: Using the wrong form of the verb faire.
- Literal translations from English: Avoid directly translating English phrases that don’t work in French.
- Forgetting the “ne” in negative sentences: Although not directly related to the question, it’s a common mistake in general French grammar that’s worth mentioning.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Qu’est-ce que vous fais ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? | Incorrect verb conjugation with vous. |
| Qu’est-ce que tu faites ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Incorrect verb conjugation with tu. |
| Que tu fais ? | Que fais-tu ? or Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? | Missing question structure. |
Practice Exercises
Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “What are you doing?” in French.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct form (tu or vous)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| To a friend: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? |
| To your boss: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| To a stranger: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| To your sibling: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? |
| To a colleague (formal): _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| To a colleague (informal): _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? |
| To a child: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? |
| To a client: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| To a teacher: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que vous faites ? |
| To a family member: _____________________ ? | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? |
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into French
| English | French |
|---|---|
| What are you doing tonight? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce soir ? |
| What are you doing for a living? (formal) | Qu’est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? |
| What are you reading? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu lis ? |
| What are you working on? (formal) | Sur quoi travaillez-vous ? |
| What are you cooking? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu cuisines ? |
| What are you drawing? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu dessines ? |
| What are you listening to? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu écoutes ? |
| What are you thinking about? (informal) | À quoi penses-tu ? |
| What are you watching? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu regardes ? |
| What are you doing this weekend? (informal) | Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ? |
Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form (faire)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Qu’est-ce que je ________ ? | fais |
| Qu’est-ce que tu ________ ? | fais |
| Qu’est-ce qu’il ________ ? | fait |
| Qu’est-ce que nous ________ ? | faisons |
| Qu’est-ce que vous ________ ? | faites |
| Qu’est-ce qu’elles ________ ? | font |
| Que fais- ________ ? | tu |
| Que faites- ________ ? | vous |
| On ________ quoi ? | fait |
| Ils ________ du sport. | font |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are more nuanced ways to ask about someone’s activities, including idiomatic expressions and regional variations.
Idiomatic Expressions
French has several idiomatic expressions that can be used to ask about someone’s activities in a more colorful way. These expressions often add nuance and personality to your speech.
- Qu’est-ce que tu manigances ? – What are you plotting/scheming? (implies mischief)
- Tu mijotes quoi ? – What are you cooking up? (can be literal or figurative)
- Tu trames quoi ? – What are you weaving/plotting? (similar to manigances, but less negative)
Regional Variations
The way you ask “What are you doing?” can vary slightly depending on the region of France or other French-speaking countries. These variations are often subtle but can add a local flavor to your speech.
For example, in some regions, you might hear: