Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" can be translated into French as Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
What does it mean word for word?
The part Qu'est-ce que literally translates to "what is it that".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? is an informal way to ask the question. For a formal, grammatically structured approach, use Que faites-vous ? In spoken French, Tu fais quoi ? is a common, highly informal way to ask the same thing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, people might use Qu'est-ce tu fais là ? or Qu'est-ce tu fais de bon ? to ask what someone is doing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Qu'est-ce que vous faites ? instead of Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? when addressing more than one person or when using the formal vous for a single person.
Did you know?
- While faire usually means 'to do' or 'to make', the phrase Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? can be used as a challenge to someone behaving badly, meaning 'What do you think you are doing?'
- The word tu is a cognate of the German word du and the Russian word ты.
- The word quoi used in Tu fais quoi ? is actually a 'tonic' version of que, which means it is designed to carry a stronger oral emphasis.
Examples in context
- Que faites-vous en ce moment ?What are you doing right now?
- Qu'est-ce que tu fais aujourd'hui ?What are you doing today?
- Quoi de neuf ? Tu fais quoi de bon ?What's new? What are you up to?
Example conversation
Gabriel walks into the kitchen and sees Lea cooking.
- GabrielQu'est-ce que tu fais ?What are you doing?
- LéaJe prépare le dîner.I am preparing dinner.
- GabrielC'est pour quand ?When is it for?
- LéaC'est pour ce soir.It is for tonight.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries que, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
