qué hacer
/ke aθeɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "what to do" is translated into Spanish as qué hacer.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interrogative pronoun qué (what) and the infinitive hacer (to do/to make).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, qué must always carry an accent mark because it functions as an indirect interrogative.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke aθeɾ/
Did you know?
- While hacer means 'to do', it is also used in Spanish to talk about the weather. To say 'it is cold', a speaker says hace frío, literally meaning 'it makes cold'.
- The word hacer in the phrase qué hacer is a direct relative of the English word 'factory'. Both come from the Latin word facere, meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
- While hacer means 'to do' or 'to make', it is also used in expressions to describe the passage of time, such as 'hace dos años' for 'two years ago'.
Examples in context
- No sabe qué hacer.He doesn't know what to do.This example shows how to express that someone does not know qué hacer.Tatoeba #1291790 by Shishir, translation #717764 by CM
- Ya no sé qué hacer.I don't know what to do anymore.This example illustrates a sense of not knowing qué hacer any longer.Tatoeba #2648 by Shishir, translation #1443 by Zifre
- Él dudaba qué hacer.He was unsure of what to do.This example describes someone who was unsure of qué hacer.Tatoeba #1390143 by wallebot, translation #1371792 by Anon
- Disculpe, ¿me podría sugerir qué hacer en esta situación?Excuse me, could you suggest what to do in this situation?
- Por favor, ¿podrías recomendarme qué hacer en este caso?Please, could you recommend what to do in this case?
- ¿Qué debo hacer si ocurre una emergencia?What should I do if there is an emergency?
- ¿Cuál es el protocolo a seguir en caso de un accidente?What is the protocol to follow in case of an accident?
- 150 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a problem at work.
- JavierTengo un problema y no sé qué hacer.I have a problem and I don't know what to do.
- LucíaDime qué pasa, Javier.Tell me what's happening, Javier.
- JavierLa máquina se rompió y no sé qué hacer.The machine broke and I don't know what to do.
- LucíaLlamaré al técnico para ayudarte.I will call the technician to help you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
