Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ?
The English phrase "what are you doing today?" is translated into French as Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their plans or activities for the current day.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ? translates to "What is it that you do today?"
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the casual version Tu fais quoi aujourd'hui ?, where the question word is moved to the end of the sentence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ? is an informal way to ask the question. For formal situations, such as when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, you should use Qu'est-ce que vous faites aujourd'hui ? In casual spoken French, you can also use Tu fais quoi aujourd'hui ?
Did you know?
- The word aujourd'hui is actually a tiny sentence in itself, originally meaning 'on the day of today'. It is a combination of four separate words that fused together over centuries.
- Using tu instead of vous when asking this question to a stranger can be seen as an intentional sign of friendliness or a social faux pas, depending on the region.
- French uses the present tense tu fais to ask about future plans for the day, whereas English requires the continuous 'are you doing'.
Examples in context
- Salut! Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui?Hi! What are you doing today?
- Tu as des plans aujourd'hui? Qu'est-ce que tu fais?Do you have any plans today? What are you doing?
- Je me demandais, qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui?I was wondering, what are you doing today?
- Dis-moi, qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ?Tell me, what are you doing today?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone in the morning.
- GabrielSalut Léa, qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ?Hi Léa, what are you doing today?
- LéaJe vais faire les courses, et toi Gabriel ?I am going grocery shopping, and you Gabriel?
- GabrielMoi, je reste travailler toute la journée.Me, I am staying to work all day.
- LéaBon courage pour ton travail !Good luck with your work!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aujourd'hui, que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
