¿qué hacemos?
The English phrase "what should we do?" can be translated into Spanish as ¿qué hacemos?
This phrase is used to ask for a suggestion or a decision regarding a future action. While English often uses the modal verb "should," Spanish speakers frequently use the present tense to express this idea.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿qué hacemos? literally translates to "what do we do?"
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, the present tense ¿qué hacemos? is a standard way to ask for suggestions for future actions, whereas English typically employs the modal "should."
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿qué hacemos? when arriving at a social gathering can be a polite way of offering to help the host with preparations rather than just asking for a plan.
- The word qué shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'what' and the Latin 'quid', linking them through a prehistoric root that meant 'which' or 'what'.
- The verb hacer in ¿qué hacemos? is used for both 'doing' and 'making', meaning the phrase can translate to 'what are we making?' depending on the room you are in.
Examples in context
- No hay comida en la nevera, ¿qué hacemos?There is no food in the fridge, what should we do?
- No hay plan, ¿qué hacemos?There is no plan, what should we do?
- Está lloviendo mucho, ¿qué hacemos?It is raining a lot, what should we do?
Example conversation
Javier and María are standing in front of a closed cinema.
- JavierLa película ya empezó, ¿qué hacemos?The movie has already started, what should we do?
- MaríaPodemos ir a cenar algo.We can go eat something.
- JavierEs una buena idea, María.That is a good idea, María.
- MaríaVamos a ese restaurante nuevo.Let's go to that new restaurant.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
