Welcome to our guide on how to say “What are you doing?” in French. In this article, we will explore both informal and formal ways to ask this question. French, being a language rich in expressions and regional variations, offers various ways to inquire about someone’s activities. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask “What are you doing?”
When it comes to formal situations, such as speaking to an authority figure, someone older, or a person you have just met, it’s important to use the appropriate language. Here are a few expressions you can use:
1. Que faites-vous ?
This is a straightforward and polite way to inquire about someone’s activities in a formal setting. The literal translation is “What are you doing?”
2. Que faîtes-vous actuellement ?
If you want to emphasize the current nature of the actions being performed, you can add the word “actuellement,” meaning “currently,” to the question. This is useful when you specifically want to know what someone is doing at that exact moment.
3. À quoi vous occupez-vous ?
This phrase asks, “What are you occupying yourself with?” It conveys a sense of interest in the person’s activities while maintaining a formal tone.
Informal Ways to Ask “What are you doing?”
Now let’s move on to more informal situations, where you can use expressions that are closer to colloquial speech. These are suitable when talking to friends, family members, or people you are familiar with:
1. Qu’est-ce que tu fais ?
This is the informal version of the question, literally translated as “What are you doing?” It’s used when addressing someone you know quite well.
2. Tu fais quoi ?
In a more casual setting, you can use this shortened form of the previous expression. It’s commonly used and easily understood by native French speakers.
3. Qu’est-ce que tu es en train de faire ?
If you want to specify the ongoing nature of someone’s actions, you can use this phrase which means “What are you in the process of doing?” It’s often used when asking for a person’s activity at that particular moment.
Regional Variations
French is spoken in various regions around the world, and as a result, there are some regional variations in how people ask “What are you doing?”. However, these variations are not essential for everyday communication and can be considered more advanced. Here’s one example:
1. Quést-ce t’es en train de faire ? (Quebec, Canada)
In Quebec, Canada, you may come across this expression which is a variation of the previous informal form. The word “Quést-ce” replaces “Qu’est-ce que” and “t’es” is a contraction of “tu es”. So, this roughly translates to “What are you in the process of doing?”
Tips and Examples
Now let’s provide you with some useful tips and examples to help you understand and practice these expressions:
Tips:
- Practice the pronunciation of each expression to ensure clear communication.
- Pay attention to your intonation, as it can convey different meanings.
- When using the formal expressions, make sure to address someone appropriately, with “vous” instead of “tu”.
- Take into account the context and familiarity of the person you are speaking to.
- Be ready to hear variations or alternative expressions when conversing with native speakers.
Examples:
Formal:
Person A: Que faites-vous dans la vie ? (What do you do for a living?)
Person B: Actuellement, je travaille comme professeur. (Currently, I work as a teacher.)
Informal:
Person A: Qu’est-ce que tu fais ce soir ? (What are you doing tonight?)
Person B: Rien de spécial, je vais regarder un film chez moi. (Nothing special, I’ll watch a movie at home.)
In Conclusion
With this guide, you now have a range of expressions to ask “What are you doing?” in French. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person you are speaking to. Practice, be attentive to pronunciation and intonation, and enjoy using these expressions to engage in meaningful conversations in French!
