What does it mean word for word?
The core of the phrase is the verb aprontando, which comes from aprontar. This root literally refers to performing an action, often with a connotation of mischief or trouble.
Which one should you use?
Use o que você está fazendo? for a neutral question about a person's current activity. In contrast, use o que você está aprontando? only when you want to imply that the person is up to no good or has secret plans.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the phrase Como tá o rolê? is used to imply curiosity about someone's social plans, similar to asking "how's it going?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous tense, formed by the verb estar plus the gerund, to indicate an action that is currently in progress or being prepared.
Did you know?
- The word você has a surprisingly humble origin, having evolved from the highly formal expression vossa mercee, which literally means 'your mercy'.
- While aprontar often means mischief, it also means to get something ready or prepared, such as preparing a meal or a suitcase.
- Using você in this phrase is standard in Brazil, but in some parts of Portugal, speakers might use tu to convey the same level of intimacy or suspicion.
Examples in context
- Pare de esconder isso, o que você está aprontando?Stop hiding that, what are you up to?
Example conversation
Juliana enters the room and sees Gabriel hiding something behind his back.
- JulianaGabriel, o que você está aprontando?Gabriel, what are you up to?
- GabrielNada, eu juro que não estou aprontando nada!Nothing, I swear I am not up to anything!
- JulianaVocê está com uma cara muito suspeita.You have a very suspicious look on your face.
- GabrielTalvez eu esteja planejando uma surpresa para você.Maybe I am planning a surprise for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries está, o, que, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
