何を作っていますか？
nani o tsukutte imasu ka?
The English phrase "what are you cooking?" is translated into Japanese as 何を作っていますか？ (nani o tsukutte imasu ka?)
This phrase is used to ask someone what food they are currently preparing. While English uses the specific verb "to cook", Japanese speakers more commonly use the general verb tsukuru (to make) when asking what someone is preparing in the kitchen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal situations, you can use 何を調理していますか？ or the highly honorific form 今、何を料理していらっしゃいますか？ In casual settings, such as with friends or family, you can use the informal 何を作ってる？ or the very colloquial 今、何料理してんの？ You can also make the phrase sound more natural and friendly in casual conversation by dropping imasu and using the particle no, resulting in 何を作ってるの？
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 何を作っていますか？, the particle o (written as を) marks the object of the verb, which in this case is "what".
How do you pronounce it?
nani o tsukutte imasu ka?
Did you know?
- The verb tsukuru used in this phrase is so broad that it can be used for making everything from a sandwich to a piece of pottery or a software program.
- When asking this in a Japanese home, your question might actually be a compliment. Rather than just being curious, asking Nani o tsukutte imasu ka? is often a way to acknowledge and praise a pleasant aroma drifting from the kitchen.
- Japanese has several different words for 'cooking' depending on whether you are talking about the chemistry of heat chouri or the art of the meal ryouri.
Examples in context
- 何を調理していますか？What are you cooking?
- 今、何を作ってる？What are you making?
- 夕食は何を作っていますか？Yuushoku wa nani o tsukutte imasu ka?What are you cooking for dinner?
- キッチンで何を作っていますか？Kicchin de nani o tsukutte imasu ka?What are you cooking in the kitchen?
Example conversation
Ren enters the kitchen and sees Yui preparing ingredients.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんは、今何を作っていますか？Yui-san wa, ima nani o tsukutte imasu ka?Yui, what are you cooking now?
- 結衣 Yuiカレーを作っています。Karee o tsukutte imasu.I am making curry.
- 蓮 Renいいですね。手伝いましょうか？Ii desu ne. Tetsudaimashou ka?That sounds good. Shall I help you?
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。お願いします。Arigatou gozaimasu. Onegaishimasu.Thank you. Please do.
