¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?
The English phrase "what are you doing this weekend?" can be translated into Spanish as ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their plans for the upcoming Saturday and Sunday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "what are you going to do this weekend?" by using the periphrastic future construction "ir a + infinitive".
Which one should you use?
While ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? uses the "ir a + infinitive" construction, a common alternative is to use the present indicative ¿qué haces este fin de semana? to express the near future.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? uses the second-person singular informal form vas (from the verb ir), which is appropriate for friends or peers. To ask a single person with a formal level of respect, change vas a hacer to va a hacer. If you are asking a group of people the same question, change vas a hacer to van a hacer.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? is often a subtle way of initiating an invitation rather than just a request for information.
- While ¿qué vas a hacer? asks about plans, Spanish speakers often use the verb quedar when making the actual plans. This verb means 'to meet up' but literally translates to 'to remain' or 'to stay'.
- The word semana is built from the Latin word for 'seventh'. This reflects an ancient way of viewing the week not as a unit of seven days, but as a period leading up to a seventh day.
Examples in context
- No tengo planes todavía, ¿y tú?I don't have plans yet, and you?
- Dime, ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?Tell me, what are you doing this weekend?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone about their plans.
- MaríaHola Daniel, ¿qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?Hi Daniel, what are you doing this weekend?
- DanielVoy a visitar a mi familia, ¿y tú?I am going to visit my family, and you?
- MaríaYo voy a ir al cine.I am going to go to the cinema.
- Daniel¡Qué divertido!How fun!
