lo que quieres hacer
/lo ke kjeɾes aθeɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "what you want to do" translates to lo que quieres hacer in Spanish.
This phrase refers to the activities or actions that a person desires to perform. While lo que quieres hacer is used when the phrase is embedded within a statement, you should use ¿Qué quieres hacer? if you are asking the direct question, "What do you want to do?"
What does it mean word for word?
The component lo que literally means "the thing that" or "that which".
Which one should you use?
Use lo que quieres hacer when the phrase is part of a larger statement, such as "I know what you want to do". In contrast, use ¿Qué quieres hacer? when you are asking a direct question.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form lo que quieres hacer uses the informal singular "tú" conjugation of the verb *querer*. If you are referring to multiple people, use lo que quieren hacer to say "what you (all) want to do".
How do you pronounce it?
/lo ke kjeɾes aθeɾ/
When do people say it?
Depending on your level of desire or how you express it, you might use Tengo ganas de to express a strong craving or desire or No me importaría to express that you wouldn't mind doing something.
Did you know?
- The verb hacer is so versatile that it is used to describe the weather, such as hace frío for 'it is cold', though it literally means 'it makes cold'.
- The verb hacer comes from the Latin word facere, which is the same root used for the English word 'factory'.
- The word lo can function as a 'neuter' article, acting as a bridge for concepts that do not have a gender in Spanish.
Examples in context
- Sé lo que quieres hacer.I know what you want to do.This example is useful for practicing the phrase in a statement about knowing someone's intentions.Tatoeba #9998942 by Shishir, translation #2012662 by CK
- Dime lo que quieres hacer.Let me know what you want to do.This example is useful for practicing how to ask someone to tell you their intentions.Tatoeba #3793764 by Seael, translation #2014735 by CK
- Diles lo que quieres hacer.Tell them what you want to do.This example is useful for practicing how to tell a group of people what someone else wants to do.Tatoeba #13166214 by Shishir, translation #3907848 by CH
- Me gustaría ir al cineI would like to go to the cinema
- Quisiera reservar una mesaI would like to reserve a table
- Quiero comer una pizzaI want to eat pizza
- Me apetece ir a la playaI feel like going to the beach
- Tengo ganas de bailar toda la nocheI feel like dancing all night
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are planning their weekend.
- LucíaYa es viernes, ¿lo que quieres hacer mañana?It's already Friday, what do you want to do tomorrow?
- AlejandroQuiero ir a la playa con mis amigos.I want to go to the beach with my friends.
- LucíaNo sabía lo que quieres hacer hoy.I didn't know what you want to do today.
- AlejandroPodemos ir juntos si quieres, Lucía.We can go together if you want, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, lo, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
