What does it mean word for word?
The literal breakdown is: ここ (koko) meaning "here", で (de) meaning "at", 何 (nani) meaning "what", してる (shiteru) meaning "doing" and の (no) acting as an explanatory particle.
Which one should you use?
While ここで何してるの？ is a straightforward and friendly way to ask the question, the version ここで何をしているのですか？ is the formal iteration. For a more blunt, masculine or even confrontational tone, one might use ここで何してるんだよ？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal form ここで何してるの？ is friendly and direct. In formal situations, you should use ここで何をしているのですか？ which utilizes the full verb form and the polite desu ka ending. If you need to be extremely polite, such as when asking the purpose of someone's presence in a professional context, use こちらはどういったご用件ですか？ which translates to "What can I assist you with?"
How do you pronounce it?
koko de nani shiteru no?
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the subject 'you' is omitted in ここで何してるの？ Using a direct word for 'you' like あなた can actually sound accusatory or overly aggressive in this specific context.
- Depending on the tone, ここで何してるの？ can be used as a romantic 'ice-breaker' when two characters unexpectedly meet in a manga or anime, shifting the meaning from 'why are you here' to 'I am surprised and happy to see you'.
- Japanese uses a three-part system for proximity where ここ (here) is strictly for the speaker, そこ (there) for the listener and あそこ (over there) for places far from both.
Examples in context
- こちらはどういったご用件ですか？What can I assist you with?
- ここで何してるの？What are you doing here?
- え、ここで何してるの？e, koko de nani shiteru no?Eh, what are you doing here?
- 一人で、ここで何してるの？hitori de, koko de nani shiteru no?What are you doing here alone?
Example conversation
Misaki runs into Yota at a local park unexpectedly.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、ここで何してるの？Yota-kun, koko de nani shiteru no?Yota, what are you doing here?
- 陽太 Yota散歩をしていたんだ。sanpo o shiteta nda.I was taking a walk.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんだ、びっくりしたよ。sou nanda, bikkuri shita yo.I see, you surprised me.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんも散歩？Misaki-san mo sanpo?Are you walking too, Misaki?
