How to Say “What Are We Doing Today?” in French

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Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?
The English phrase 'what are we doing today?' is translated into French as Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?
This phrase is used to inquire about the planned activities or the schedule for the current day.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase begins with Qu'est-ce que, which literally translates to 'What is it that'. This is the standard way to begin a 'what' question in French.

Which one should you use?

While Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ? is common in speech, the more formal way to ask the same thing is Que faisons-nous aujourd'hui ? Additionally, Qu'allons-nous faire aujourd'hui? specifically asks 'what will we be doing today?' and Que ferons-nous aujourd'hui? means 'What will we do today?'

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ? is an informal way to ask the question. For a more formal tone, you should use Que faisons-nous aujourd'hui? or Qu'allons-nous faire aujourd'hui? For informal, everyday conversation, you can also use On fait quoi aujourd'hui?

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?, the word on is used as an informal substitute for nous to mean 'we'.

Did you know?

  • The word aujourd'hui is actually a tiny sentence compressed into one word, meaning 'on the day of today'.
  • Despite meaning 'we' in this phrase, on requires the speaker to use a singular verb form, meaning it is grammatically treated like 'he' or 'it'.
  • While Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ? is the standard question, a local might simply say On fait quoi ? and use a rising intonation to turn a statement into a question.

Examples in context

  • Je vois que nous sommes ici près de la plage. Que faisons-nous aujourd'hui? Je suis prêt à explorer!
    I see that we are near the beach. What are we doing today? I'm ready to explore!
  • Dis-moi, qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?
    Tell me, what are we doing today?

Example conversation

Emma and Lucas are having coffee in the morning.

  1. Emma

    Qu'est-ce qu'on fait aujourd'hui ?
    What are we doing today?
  2. Lucas

    On va au cinéma cet après-midi.
    We are going to the cinema this afternoon.
  3. Emma

    C'est une excellente idée !
    That is an excellent idea!
  4. Lucas

    Tu veux voir quel film ?
    Which movie do you want to see?

Sources

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Stephanie Rachel
Stephanie RachelHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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