How to Say “What Are You Up To?” in Russian

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чем занимаешься?
chem zanimayesh'sya?
In Russian, the English phrase "what are you up to?" is expressed as чем занимаешься? (chem zanimayesh'sya?)
The phrase is a casual question used to ask someone what they are doing at the current moment. While it translates to asking about someone's current activity, it can also imply a focus on an activity or hobby the person is engaged in.

What does it mean word for word?

The word чем is the instrumental case of что, which literally means "with what".

Which one should you use?

Чем занимаешься? is slightly more focused on the specific activity or hobby a person is engaged in. This contrasts with что делаешь?, which is a more direct and general way to ask "what are you doing?"

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The default form чем занимаешься? is informal and should be used with friends, family or peers. For more formal or polite contexts, you can use Чем занимаетесь? to mean "What are you busy with?" or Чем в данный момент занимаетесь? to ask "What are you currently occupied with?" In professional contexts, you might use Какие у вас планы? to ask "What are your plans?" Among friends, you may also hear the very informal Чё делаешь? for "What are you doing?" or Что ты затеял? for "What are you up to?"

How does it change in a sentence?

To use this phrase politely or when addressing more than one person, change занимаешься to the formal занимаетесь?

How do you pronounce it?

chem zanimayesh'sya?

Did you know?

  • While 'what are you up to?' can sometimes sound suspicious in English, asking Чем занимаешься? in Russian is purely neutral and carries no suspicion of mischief.
  • The verb заниматься allows чем занимаешься? to be used as a way to ask someone what their profession or university major is.
  • Russian uses the instrumental case чем here because the verb заниматься treats the activity as a tool or medium the person is employing.

Examples in context

  • Смотрю фильм.
    I am watching a movie.
  • Привет, чем занимаешься?
    Privet, chem zanimayesh'sya?
    Hi, what are you up to?

Example conversation

Alexander calls Ekaterina on the phone to check on her.

  1. Александр Aleksandr

    Привет, Катя, чем занимаешься?
    Privet, Katya, chem zanimayesh'sya?
    Hi, Katya, what are you up to?
  2. Екатерина Ekaterina

    Ничего особенного, просто читаю книгу.
    Nichego osobennogo, prosto chitayu knigu.
    Nothing special, I'm just reading a book.
  3. Александр Aleksandr

    А я хотел позвать тебя гулять.
    A ya khotel pozvat' tebya gulyat'.
    Well, I wanted to ask you to go for a walk.
  4. Екатерина Ekaterina

    Хорошая идея, я с удовольствием!
    Khoroshaya ideya, ya s udovol'stviyem!
    Good idea, I'd love to!
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Juanita Elise
Juanita EliseHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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