Which one should you use?
While ¿qué demonios estás haciendo? is a standard way to express this sentiment, you can use different words to substitute for "hell" depending on the level of intensity you want. ¿Qué rayos estás haciendo? is an alternative that uses rayos instead of demonios. For a more casual and potentially more vulgar or aggressive tone, ¿qué carajo estás haciendo? can be used in many Spanish-speaking regions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to express the same idea more vulgarly or aggressively, you can use ¿qué carajo estás haciendo? or ¿qué mierda estás haciendo?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the form ¿qué coño estás haciendo? to express this sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the phrase based on who you are addressing. To address a single person formally, change the verb from estás to está, resulting in ¿qué demonios está haciendo? To address a group of people, use the plural verb form están to get ¿qué demonios están haciendo?
Did you know?
- The word carajo used in the aggressive version of this phrase is believed to have originated from the 'carajo' or 'mast' of a ship, where sailors were sent as punishment.
- In Spain, the phrase ¿qué coño estás haciendo? is extremely common, but coño refers to female anatomy. Despite its literal meaning, it is often used as a general intensifier for shock or frustration.
- The phrase ¿qué rayos estás haciendo? uses a word that literally means 'lightning bolts' to act as a polite substitute for a swear word.
Examples in context
- ¡¿Qué carajo estás haciendo?!What the hell are you doing?!
Example conversation
Lucía finds Daniel painting the living room wall neon green.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿qué demonios estás haciendo?Daniel, what the hell are you doing?
- DanielSolo quiero darle un toque moderno.I just want to give it a modern touch.
- Lucía¡Pero es un color horrible!But it is a horrible color!
- DanielNo estoy de acuerdo, Lucía.I don't agree, Lucía.
