Which one should you use?
While ¿qué están haciendo? uses the present progressive tense, in many Spanish-speaking regions, the shorter simple present form ¿qué hacen? is also a common way to ask what a group is doing. If you are speaking to only one person instead of a group, you should use ¿qué estás haciendo? instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ¿qué están haciendo? is grammatically standard but is commonly used in informal settings. For a more colloquial approach, especially in certain regions like Mexico, you might use ¿En qué andan metidos ustedes? to inquire about someone's activities.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression ¿En qué andan metidos ustedes? is a colloquial phrase used in certain regions, such as Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ¿qué están haciendo? uses the present progressive tense to ask about an action happening right now.
Did you know?
- If you are asking a group of friends in Mexico, you might hear ¿Qué onda con ustedes? This uses the word 'onda', which literally means 'wave', to informally ask 'what is up with y'all'.
- The word qué in this phrase shares the same ancient root as the English word 'what'. Both words can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid, which eventually evolved into the Latin 'quid'.
- In Mexico, the phrase ¿En qué andan metidos ustedes? literally suggests the group is 'stuck' or 'put into' something, implying they might be up to some mischief.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, ¿qué están haciendo ustedes en la empresa?Good morning, what are you all doing at the company?
- Bienvenidos a mi casa. ¿Qué hacen ustedes en su tiempo libre?Welcome to my house. What do you all do in your free time?
- Hola, chicos. ¿Qué hacen ustedes hoy?Hey, guys. What are you all doing today?
- Oye, ¿qué están haciendo ahí?Hey, what are y'all doing over there?
- ¡Hola, vecinos! ¿En qué andan metidos ustedes?Hi, neighbors! What are y'all up to?
- Chicos, ¿qué están haciendo?Guys, what are y'all doing?
Example conversation
Alejandro walks into a living room where Lucía and her friends are gathered.
- AlejandroHola, ¿qué están haciendo?Hi, what are y'all doing?
- LucíaSolo estamos viendo una película.We are just watching a movie.
- Alejandro¿Puedo unirme a ustedes?Can I join you guys?
- LucíaClaro, Alejandro, siéntate.Of course, Alejandro, sit down.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
