Understanding how to ask “What are you doing?” in German is a fundamental skill for anyone learning the language. This seemingly simple question opens the door to countless conversations and allows you to engage with native speakers in everyday situations.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering this phrase and its variations is crucial for effective communication. This article provides a detailed exploration of the phrase, its grammatical underpinnings, and practical applications, ensuring you can confidently ask and understand this essential question.
This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from those just starting their German journey to more advanced students looking to refine their conversational skills. By breaking down the grammar, providing numerous examples, and offering practical exercises, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate various scenarios where you might need to ask “What are you doing?” in German.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: “What Are You Doing?” in German
- Structural Breakdown of “Was machst du?”
- Formal vs. Informal: “Sie” vs. “du”
- Variations of “What Are You Doing?”
- Examples: “What Are You Doing?” in Various Contexts
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition: “What Are You Doing?” in German
The most common translation of “What are you doing?” in German is “Was machst du?” This phrase is used in informal settings when addressing someone you know well or someone you are on familiar terms with. The phrase is a direct question, asking about the person’s current activity.
Classification: This is an interrogative sentence (a question) using the present tense. It seeks information about an ongoing action.
Function: The primary function is to inquire about someone’s current activity or task. It can also be used as a conversation starter or to express curiosity.
Contexts: This phrase is appropriate in casual conversations with friends, family members, or close colleagues. It’s generally not suitable for formal situations or when addressing strangers, where a more polite form is required.
Structural Breakdown of “Was machst du?”
The phrase “Was machst du?” is composed of three key elements, each playing a crucial role in its meaning and grammatical correctness. Understanding these elements is essential for constructing similar questions and comprehending German sentence structure.
Was: This is the interrogative pronoun, meaning “what.” It introduces the question and indicates that you are seeking information about something unspecified.
machst: This is the conjugated form of the verb “machen,” which means “to do” or “to make.” The “-st” ending indicates that the verb is conjugated for the second-person singular (du).
du: This is the personal pronoun meaning “you” (singular, informal). It identifies the person being addressed in the question.
The standard Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure is modified in questions. The verb comes second, after the interrogative pronoun.
The pronoun (du) then follows the conjugated verb, forming a question structure.
Formal vs. Informal: “Sie” vs. “du”
German distinguishes between formal and informal ways of addressing people, and this distinction is crucial when asking “What are you doing?”. The informal “du” is used with friends, family, and people you know well. In formal situations, you must use “Sie.”
To ask “What are you doing?” formally, you would say “Was machen Sie?” Notice that the verb conjugation changes to “machen” to agree with the formal pronoun “Sie.”
Using the incorrect form can be considered impolite or disrespectful, especially when addressing elders, superiors, or people you don’t know well. Always err on the side of formality until you are invited to use the informal “du.”
Variations of “What Are You Doing?”
While “Was machst du?” is the most common translation, there are several variations you can use to add nuance or specificity to your question. These variations allow you to inquire about immediate actions, future plans, or specific activities.
Focusing on the Immediate Action
To emphasize that you are asking about something happening *right now*, you can use the phrase “Was machst du gerade?” The word “gerade” means “right now” or “just now.”
Another option is “Was bist du gerade am machen?” This uses the progressive form, similar to “What are you currently doing?” in English. Note that this construction is more common in some regions than others.
Asking About Future Plans
If you want to ask about someone’s plans for the future, you can use the phrase “Was wirst du machen?” This translates to “What will you do?” and implies a future action.
You can also ask “Was hast du vor?” which means “What are you planning?” or “What do you intend to do?”. This is a more general inquiry about someone’s intentions.
Inquiring About Specific Activities
To ask about a specific activity, you can replace “was” with a more specific question word. For example, if you see someone drawing, you could ask “Zeichnest du?” (“Are you drawing?”) or “Was zeichnest du?” (“What are you drawing?”).
You can also use phrases like “Bist du am Arbeiten?” (“Are you working?”) or “Liest du ein Buch?” (“Are you reading a book?”) to inquire about specific activities.
Examples: “What Are You Doing?” in Various Contexts
Understanding how to use “What are you doing?” in different situations is crucial for effective communication. The following examples illustrate the phrase in various contexts, from everyday interactions to more specific scenarios.
Everyday Situations
This table provides examples of how to use “What are you doing?” in common everyday situations. Understanding these examples will help you integrate the phrase into your daily conversations.
| German | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Was machst du? | What are you doing? | General inquiry to a friend. |
| Was machst du gerade? | What are you doing right now? | Asking about an immediate action. |
| Was machst du heute? | What are you doing today? | Asking about the person’s plans for the day. |
| Was machst du am Wochenende? | What are you doing on the weekend? | Inquiring about weekend plans. |
| Was machst du denn da? | What are you doing there? (with a hint of curiosity) | Seeing someone doing something unusual. |
| Was machst du hier? | What are you doing here? | Asking someone why they are in a specific location. |
| Was machst du eigentlich? | What are you actually doing? | Expressing surprise or confusion. |
| Was machst du jetzt? | What are you doing now? | Asking about the immediate next action. |
| Was machst du so? | What are you up to? | General inquiry about someone’s activities. |
| Was machst du Schönes? | What are you doing that’s nice? | Expressing interest in a pleasant activity. |
| Was machst du mit dem Buch? | What are you doing with the book? | Asking about the purpose of an object. |
| Was machst du mit dem Handy? | What are you doing with the phone? | Asking about the usage of a phone. |
| Was machst du in deiner Freizeit? | What do you do in your free time? | Asking about hobbies. |
| Was machst du beruflich? | What do you do for a living? | Asking about someone’s profession. |
| Was machst du für Sport? | What sports do you do? | Asking about sporting activities. |
| Was machst du gegen die Langeweile? | What do you do to fight boredom? | Asking about activities to alleviate boredom. |
| Was machst du mit dem Computer? | What are you doing with the computer? | Asking about computer-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Auto? | What are you doing with the car? | Asking about car-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Essen? | What are you doing with the food? | Asking about food-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Geld? | What are you doing with the money? | Asking about the use of money. |
| Was machst du mit den Kindern? | What are you doing with the children? | Asking about childcare activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Tieren? | What are you doing with the animals? | Asking about animal care activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Pflanzen? | What are you doing with the plants? | Asking about gardening activities. |
| Was machst du mit der Musik? | What are you doing with the music? | Asking about music-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Fernseher? | What are you doing with the TV? | Asking about TV-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Projekt? | What are you doing with the project? | Asking about the progress of a project. |
| Was machst du mit der Aufgabe? | What are you doing with the task? | Asking about the progress of a task. |
| Was machst du mit der Arbeit? | What are you doing with the work? | Asking about the progress of work. |
Work-Related Scenarios
In a work environment, the question “What are you doing?” can be used to inquire about tasks, projects, or progress. Here are some examples:
| German | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Was machst du gerade am Projekt? | What are you currently doing on the project? | Asking about the current task in a project. |
| Was machst du heute in der Arbeit? | What are you doing at work today? | Inquiring about the day’s tasks. |
| Was machen Sie gerade, Herr Schmidt? | What are you doing right now, Mr. Schmidt? | Formal inquiry about current task. |
| Was machst du mit den Berichten? | What are you doing with the reports? | Asking about the handling of reports. |
| Was machst du mit den Kunden? | What are you doing with the clients? | Asking about client interactions. |
| Was machst du mit den Daten? | What are you doing with the data? | Asking about data analysis activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Präsentationen? | What are you doing with the presentations? | Asking about presentation preparation. |
| Was machst du mit den Verträgen? | What are you doing with the contracts? | Asking about contract management. |
| Was machst du mit den Rechnungen? | What are you doing with the invoices? | Asking about invoice processing. |
| Was machst du mit den E-Mails? | What are you doing with the emails? | Asking about email management. |
| Was machst du mit dem Meeting? | What are you doing with the meeting? | Asking about meeting preparation or follow-up. |
| Was machst du mit den Dokumenten? | What are you doing with the documents? | Asking about document management. |
| Was machst du mit den Bestellungen? | What are you doing with the orders? | Asking about order processing. |
| Was machst du mit den Anrufen? | What are you doing with the calls? | Asking about call handling. |
| Was machst du mit den Beschwerden? | What are you doing with the complaints? | Asking about complaint management. |
| Was machst du mit den Problemen? | What are you doing with the problems? | Asking about problem-solving activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Lösungen? | What are you doing with the solutions? | Asking about solution implementation. |
| Was machst du mit den Plänen? | What are you doing with the plans? | Asking about plan execution. |
| Was machst du mit den Zielen? | What are you doing with the goals? | Asking about goal achievement strategies. |
| Was machst du mit den Ressourcen? | What are you doing with the resources? | Asking about resource management. |
| Was machst du mit den Finanzen? | What are you doing with the finances? | Asking about financial management. |
| Was machst du mit der Strategie? | What are you doing with the strategy? | Asking about strategic implementation. |
| Was machst du mit der Innovation? | What are you doing with the innovation? | Asking about innovation efforts. |
| Was machst du mit dem Feedback? | What are you doing with the feedback? | Asking about feedback integration. |
| Was machst du mit dem Fortschritt? | What are you doing with the progress? | Asking about tracking progress. |
| Was machst du mit der Analyse? | What are you doing with the analysis? | Asking about analytical activities. |
| Was machst du mit der Forschung? | What are you doing with the research? | Asking about research activities. |
Leisure Time Activities
When inquiring about someone’s leisure activities, you can use “What are you doing?” to express interest in their hobbies or free-time pursuits. Here are some examples:
| German | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Was machst du in deiner Freizeit? | What do you do in your free time? | General inquiry about hobbies. |
| Was machst du zum Spaß? | What do you do for fun? | Asking about enjoyable activities. |
| Was machst du heute Abend? | What are you doing tonight? | Asking about evening plans. |
| Was machst du zum Entspannen? | What do you do to relax? | Asking about relaxation techniques. |
| Was machst du gerne am Wochenende? | What do you like to do on the weekend? | Asking about preferred weekend activities. |
| Was machst du mit deinen Freunden? | What do you do with your friends? | Asking about activities with friends. |
| Was machst du in den Ferien? | What do you do on vacation? | Asking about vacation activities. |
| Was machst du mit der Musik? | What are you doing with the music? | Asking about music-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Sport? | What are you doing with the sports? | Asking about sport-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Büchern? | What are you doing with the books? | Asking about reading activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Filmen? | What are you doing with the movies? | Asking about movie-watching activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Spielen? | What are you doing with the games? | Asking about gaming activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Garten? | What are you doing with the garden? | Asking about gardening activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Tieren? | What are you doing with the animals? | Asking about animal care activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Reisen? | What are you doing with the travels? | Asking about travel activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Hobbys? | What are you doing with the hobbies? | Asking about hobby-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Kursen? | What are you doing with the courses? | Asking about course-related activities. |
| Was machst du mit den Projekten? | What are you doing with the projects? | Asking about personal projects. |
| Was machst du mit dem Kochen? | What are you doing with the cooking? | Asking about cooking activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Backen? | What are you doing with the baking? | Asking about baking activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Zeichnen? | What are you doing with the drawing? | Asking about drawing activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Malen? | What are you doing with the painting? | Asking about painting activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Basteln? | What are you doing with the crafting? | Asking about crafting activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Sammeln? | What are you doing with the collecting? | Asking about collecting activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Schreiben? | What are you doing with the writing? | Asking about writing activities. |
| Was machst du mit dem Lesen? | What are you doing with the reading? | Asking about reading habits. |
| Was machst du mit dem Tanzen? | What are you doing with the dancing? | Asking about dancing activities. |
Asking for Help
The phrase can also be used to inquire about someone’s need for assistance or to offer help. Here are some examples:
| German | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Was machst du da? Kann ich dir helfen? | What are you doing there? Can I help you? | Offering assistance. |
| Was machst du? Brauchst du Hilfe? | What are you doing? Do you need help? | Inquiring about the need for assistance. |
| Was machst du? Sieht so aus, als ob du Schwierigkeiten hast. | What are you doing? It looks like you’re having trouble. | Offering help based on observation. |
| Was machst du? Soll ich dir dabei helfen? | What are you doing? Should I help you with that? | Offering specific assistance. |
| Was machst du? Kann ich etwas für dich tun? | What are you doing? Can I do something for you? | Offering general assistance. |
| Was machst du? Ist alles in Ordnung? | What are you doing? Is everything alright? | Inquiring about well-being while offering help. |
| Was machst du? Siehst beschäftigt aus. | What are you doing? You look busy. | Acknowledging busyness while offering help. |
| Was machst du? Kann ich dir einen Tipp geben? | What are you doing? Can I give you a tip? | Offering advice or guidance. |
| Was machst du? Brauchst du eine Pause? | What are you doing? Do you need a break? | Suggesting a break while offering help. |
| Was machst du? Kann ich dir das abnehmen? | What are you doing? Can I take that off your hands? | Offering to take over a task. |
Inquiring About Progress
You can also use the phrase to ask about the progress of a task or project. Here are some examples:
| German | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Was machst du mit der Arbeit? | How’s the work coming along? / What are you doing with the work? | Asking about the progress of a task. |
| Was machst du mit dem Projekt? | How’s the project coming along? / What are you doing with the project? | Asking about the progress of a project. |
| Was machst du mit der Aufgabe? | How’s the task coming along? / What are you doing with the task? | Asking about the progress of a specific task. |
| Was machst du mit dem Bericht? | How’s the report coming along? / What are you doing with the report? | Asking about the progress of a report. |
| Was machst du mit dem Essen? | How’s the food coming along? / What are you doing with the food? | Asking about the progress of cooking. |
| Was machst du mit den Vorbereitungen? | How are the preparations coming along? / What are you doing with the preparations? | Asking about the progress of preparations. |
| Was machst du mit dem Umzug? | How’s the move coming along? / What are you doing with the move? | Asking about the progress of moving. |
| Was machst du mit der Reparatur? | How’s the repair coming along? / What are you doing with the repair? | Asking about the progress of a repair. |
| Was machst du mit dem Studium? | How are your studies coming along? / What are you doing with your studies? | Asking about the progress of studies. |
| Was machst du mit dem Training? | How’s the training coming along? / What are you doing with the training? | Asking about the progress of training. |
Usage Rules and Considerations
To use “What are you doing?” correctly in German, it’s important to understand the underlying grammatical rules, including verb conjugation, word order, and case agreement. These rules ensure that your questions are grammatically sound and easily understood.
Verb Conjugation
The verb “machen” (to do/make) must be conjugated correctly to agree with the subject pronoun. In the phrase “Was machst du?” the verb is conjugated in the second-person singular (du). Here’s the conjugation of “machen” in the present tense:
- ich mache (I do/make)
- du machst (you do/make)
- er/sie/es macht (he/she/it does/makes)
- wir machen (we do/make)
- ihr macht (you all do/make)
- Sie machen (you formal do/make)
- sie machen (they do/make)
Word Order in Questions
In German questions that start with an interrogative pronoun (like “was”), the verb comes second, followed by the subject. This is different from English, where the auxiliary verb usually comes first.
For example: “Was machst du?” (What are you doing?) – “Was” (what) is the interrogative pronoun, “machst” (are doing) is the conjugated verb, and “du” (you) is the subject.
Case Agreement (Accusative and Dative)
While “Was machst du?” itself doesn’t directly involve case agreement, it’s essential to understand case agreement for more complex sentences. When you add an object to the sentence, you need to consider whether the object takes the accusative or dative case.
For example: “Was machst du mit dem Buch?” (What are you doing with the book?) – “dem Buch” (the book) is in the dative case because it follows the preposition “mit” (with), which usually requires the dative case.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a solid understanding of the grammar, learners often make common mistakes when using “What are you doing?” in German. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and improve your accuracy.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Was machen du? | Was machst du? | The verb “machen” must be conjugated to agree with the subject “du.” |
| Was du machst? | Was machst du? | In questions, the verb typically comes second after the interrogative pronoun. |
| Was machst Sie? | Was machen Sie? | The verb “machen” must be conjugated to agree with the formal pronoun “Sie.” |
| Was tust du? | Was machst du? (in most contexts) | While “tun” also means “to do,” “machen” is more commonly used in this context. |
| Was bist du machen? | Was machst du? or Was bist du am machen? | The construction “Was bist du machen?” is incorrect. “Was bist du am machen?” is acceptable but less common. |
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, complete the following practice exercises. These exercises will help you apply what you’ve learned and identify areas where you may need further practice.
Translation Exercise
Translate the following sentences into German, using the appropriate form of “What are you doing?”.
| English | German |
|---|---|
| What are you doing right now? | Was machst du gerade? |
| What are you doing today? | Was machst du heute? |
| What are you doing this weekend? | Was machst du dieses Wochenende? |
| What are you doing there? | Was machst du da? |
| What are you doing with that book? | Was machst du mit dem Buch? |
| What will you do tomorrow? | Was wirst du morgen machen? |
| What are you planning to do? | Was hast du vor? |
| What are you doing for fun? | Was machst du zum Spaß? |
| What are you doing at work? | Was machst du bei der Arbeit? |
| What are you doing, Mr. Schmidt? (formal) | Was machen Sie, Herr Schmidt? |
Fill-in-the-
blanks Exercise
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of “machen”:
- Was ______ du am Wochenende? (What are you doing on the weekend?)
- Was ______ Sie beruflich, Herr Müller? (What do you do for a living, Mr. Müller?)
- Ich ______ meine Hausaufgaben. (I am doing my homework.)
- Wir ______ eine Party. (We are having a party.)
- Was ______ ihr jetzt? (What are you all doing now?)
Answers:
- machst
- machen
- mache
- machen
- macht
Scenario-Based Exercise
Imagine you are in the following situations. Write down what you would say in German, using “What are you doing?” or a suitable variation.
- You see your friend sitting alone and looking bored.
- You are at work, and you want to know what your colleague is currently working on.
- You meet your neighbor in the hallway, and you are curious about their plans for the day.
- You notice someone struggling to carry a heavy box.
- You are calling a friend and want to know what they are up to.
Possible Answers:
- Was machst du? Ist dir langweilig? (What are you doing? Are you bored?)
- Was machst du gerade? (What are you doing right now?)
- Was machst du heute? (What are you doing today?)
- Was machst du da? Kann ich dir helfen? (What are you doing there? Can I help you?)
- Was machst du so? (What are you up to?)
Advanced Topics
For those looking to deepen their understanding, here are some advanced topics related to using “What are you doing?” in German. These topics involve more complex grammar and idiomatic expressions.
Using the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood can be used to express hypothetical or polite questions. While not commonly used with “What are you doing?”, it can add a layer of politeness or indirectness in certain situations.
For example, instead of directly asking “Was machst du?”, you could say “Was würdest du machen, wenn…?” (What would you do, if…?).
Idiomatic Expressions
German has many idiomatic expressions that are similar to “What are you doing?” but carry slightly different connotations. Learning these expressions can add color and authenticity to your conversations.
For example: “Was ist los?” (What’s going on?) can sometimes be used in place of “What are you doing?” if you sense that something is wrong or unusual.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “What are you doing?” in German, along with concise answers to address common concerns and uncertainties.
Is “Was tust du?” a correct translation of “What are you doing?”
While grammatically correct, “Was tust du?” is less common than “Was machst du?” in most everyday contexts. “Tun” is a more general verb for “to do,” while “machen” is often preferred when asking about specific activities.
When should I use the formal “Sie” instead of “du”?
Use “Sie” when addressing people you don’t know well, elders, superiors, or anyone in a formal setting. It’s always better to err on the side of formality until you are invited to use “du.”
How can I ask “What are you going to do?” in German?
You can ask “Was wirst du machen?” (What will you do?) or “Was hast du vor?” (What are you planning?).
Is there a regional difference in how this phrase is used?
Yes, some regions may prefer certain variations or have slightly different idiomatic expressions. For example, the progressive form “Was bist du am machen?” is more common in some areas than others.
How do I respond when someone asks me “Was machst du?”
You can respond by describing your current activity, such as “Ich lese ein Buch” (I am reading a book) or “Ich arbeite” (I am working). You can also ask the person the same question back, such as “Und du?” (And you?).
Conclusion
Mastering the phrase “What are you doing?” in German is a valuable step in your language-learning journey. By understanding the grammar, exploring the variations, and practicing in different contexts, you can confidently engage in conversations and build meaningful connections with native speakers. Remember to consider the formality of the situation and choose the appropriate form (“du” or “Sie”) accordingly. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll be well-equipped to ask and understand this essential question in a variety of situations.