Asking someone “What are you doing?” is a fundamental part of everyday conversation. In Italian, there are multiple ways to express this question, each with its own nuances and appropriate contexts.
Understanding these variations is crucial for effective communication and building rapport with native speakers. This article will guide you through the different ways to ask “What are you doing?” in Italian, providing detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you master this essential phrase.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this comprehensive guide will enhance your Italian conversation skills and cultural understanding.
This article is designed for anyone learning Italian, from beginners taking their first steps to more advanced students looking to refine their conversational skills. It is also beneficial for travelers planning a trip to Italy who want to be able to engage in basic interactions with locals.
By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently and accurately ask “What are you doing?” in various Italian contexts.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: “What Are You Doing?” in Italian
- Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
- Types and Categories of Questions
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition: “What Are You Doing?” in Italian
The question “What are you doing?” in Italian can be expressed in several ways, each carrying slightly different connotations. The most common translations are: Che fai?, Che cosa fai?, Cosa stai facendo?, and Che cosa stai facendo?. These phrases are used to inquire about someone’s current activity or actions. The choice of phrase often depends on the context, level of formality, and the speaker’s preference.
Classification: These phrases are interrogative sentences, specifically designed to elicit information about someone’s actions. They fall under the category of direct questions, seeking a straightforward answer about what the person is currently engaged in. The phrases utilize interrogative pronouns (che, cosa) and verbs (fare, stare facendo) to construct the question.
Function: The primary function of these phrases is to inquire about someone’s present activities. They can also be used to initiate conversation, show interest in the other person, or express concern or surprise, depending on the tone and context. The function extends beyond a simple request for information and often serves a social purpose.
Contexts: These phrases are used in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversations with friends and family to more formal interactions with acquaintances or colleagues. The choice of phrase, however, should be appropriate for the specific context. For example, Che fai? is generally used in informal settings, while Cosa sta facendo? might be more suitable in a formal situation.
Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases
Each of the phrases used to ask “What are you doing?” in Italian has a distinct structure. Understanding these structures will help you to use them correctly and confidently.
“Che fai?”
This is the shortest and most informal way to ask “What are you doing?” in Italian. It is suitable for close friends and family members.
Structure: Che (what) + fai (you do). Fai is the second-person singular present tense conjugation of the verb fare (to do).
“Che cosa fai?”
This phrase is slightly more formal than Che fai? but is still generally used in informal settings. It provides a bit more emphasis on the “what” part of the question.
Structure: Che cosa (what) + fai (you do). Che cosa is a more explicit way of saying “what” compared to just che.
“Cosa stai facendo?”
This phrase uses the present continuous tense, which emphasizes that the action is happening right now. It is suitable for both informal and slightly more formal settings.
Structure: Cosa (what) + stai (you are) + facendo (doing). Stai is the second-person singular present tense conjugation of the verb stare (to be), and facendo is the gerund (present participle) of the verb fare (to do).
“Che cosa stai facendo?”
This is the most explicit and arguably the most common way to ask “What are you doing?” in Italian. It combines the emphasis of che cosa with the present continuous tense.
Structure: Che cosa (what) + stai (you are) + facendo (doing). This phrase is very similar to Cosa stai facendo?, with the addition of che for extra emphasis.
Types and Categories of Questions
There are several ways to categorize the different ways to ask “What are you doing?” in Italian. Understanding these categories will help you choose the most appropriate phrase for any given situation.
Informal vs. Formal
The level of formality is an important consideration when asking “What are you doing?” In informal settings, you can use phrases like Che fai? or Che cosa fai?. In more formal settings, it’s better to use Cosa sta facendo? (when addressing someone formally with “Lei”) or Che cosa sta facendo? if you want to maintain a degree of politeness while still using the present continuous. When addressing someone formally, the verb conjugations change to reflect the “Lei” form.
Immediate vs. Ongoing Actions
The choice between using the simple present (Che fai?, Che cosa fai?) and the present continuous (Cosa stai facendo?, Che cosa stai facendo?) depends on whether you want to know what someone generally does or what they are doing at this very moment. The present continuous emphasizes that the action is happening right now.
Direct vs. Indirect Questions
All the phrases discussed so far are direct questions. However, you can also ask indirectly about someone’s activities by using a statement followed by a question tag or by phrasing your question in a more roundabout way. For example, you could say “Sembri occupato/a, cosa fai?” (“You seem busy, what are you doing?”).
Examples
To fully understand how to use these phrases, let’s look at some examples in different contexts.
“Che fai?” Examples
This phrase is ideal for casual conversations with close friends and family. The following table offers several examples.
| Italian | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Che fai stasera? | What are you doing tonight? | Asking a friend about their evening plans. |
| Che fai di bello? | What are you doing that’s fun/nice? | Asking a friend what they are up to. |
| Che fai, guardi la TV? | What are you doing, watching TV? | Observing someone watching television. |
| Che fai, cucini? Sento un buon profumo! | What are you doing, cooking? I smell something delicious! | Noticing someone is cooking. |
| Che fai, leggi? | What are you doing, reading? | Seeing someone with a book. |
| Che fai qui? | What are you doing here? | Surprised to see someone in a particular place. |
| Che fai domani? | What are you doing tomorrow? | Asking about future plans. |
| Che fai, dormi ancora? | What are you doing, still sleeping? | Teasing someone who is still in bed. |
| Che fai, ascolti la musica? | What are you doing, listening to music? | Seeing someone with headphones on. |
| Che fai, lavori? | What are you doing, working? | Seeing someone busy with work. |
| Che fai di solito il sabato? | What do you usually do on Saturdays? | Asking about usual weekend activities. |
| Che fai durante le vacanze? | What do you do during the holidays? | Inquiring about holiday activities. |
| Che fai, pensi? | What are you doing, thinking? | Noticing someone is deep in thought. |
| Che fai, scrivi? | What are you doing, writing? | Seeing someone with a pen and paper. |
| Che fai, giochi? | What are you doing, playing? | Seeing someone engaged in a game. |
| Che fai, aspetti qualcuno? | What are you doing, waiting for someone? | Observing someone waiting. |
| Che fai, cerchi qualcosa? | What are you doing, looking for something? | Seeing someone searching for something. |
| Che fai, ridi? | What are you doing, laughing? | Hearing someone laugh. |
| Che fai, piangi? | What are you doing, crying? | Seeing someone upset. |
| Che fai, pulisci? | What are you doing, cleaning? | Seeing someone cleaning. |
| Che fai, studi? | What are you doing, studying? | Seeing someone studying. |
“Che cosa fai?” Examples
This phrase is slightly more formal but still suitable for informal settings. It’s a good choice when you want to be a bit more explicit.
| Italian | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Che cosa fai nel tempo libero? | What do you do in your free time? | Asking about leisure activities. |
| Che cosa fai di lavoro? | What do you do for work? | Asking about someone’s job. |
| Che cosa fai qui da solo/a? | What are you doing here alone? | Expressing concern or curiosity. |
| Che cosa fai per divertirti? | What do you do to have fun? | Asking about hobbies and entertainment. |
| Che cosa fai dopo il lavoro? | What do you do after work? | Asking about evening activities. |
| Che cosa fai per mantenerti in forma? | What do you do to stay in shape? | Asking about fitness routines. |
| Che cosa fai per rilassarti? | What do you do to relax? | Asking about relaxation methods. |
| Che cosa fai quando sei triste? | What do you do when you’re sad? | Asking about coping mechanisms. |
| Che cosa fai quando piove? | What do you do when it rains? | Asking about rainy day activities. |
| Che cosa fai quando sei annoiato/a? | What do you do when you’re bored? | Asking about ways to combat boredom. |
| Che cosa fai per aiutare gli altri? | What do you do to help others? | Asking about charitable activities. |
| Che cosa fai per imparare l’italiano? | What do you do to learn Italian? | Asking about language learning methods. |
| Che cosa fai per guadagnare? | What do you do to earn money? | Asking about income sources. |
| Che cosa fai per proteggere l’ambiente? | What do you do to protect the environment? | Asking about environmental efforts. |
| Che cosa fai per festeggiare? | What do you do to celebrate? | Asking about celebratory traditions. |
| Che cosa fai per risolvere i problemi? | What do you do to solve problems? | Asking about problem-solving strategies. |
| Che cosa fai per organizzare il tuo tempo? | What do you do to organize your time? | Asking about time management methods. |
| Che cosa fai per conoscere nuove persone? | What do you do to meet new people? | Asking about networking activities. |
| Che cosa fai per migliorare te stesso/a? | What do you do to improve yourself? | Asking about self-improvement activities. |
| Che cosa fai per essere felice? | What do you do to be happy? | Asking about happiness strategies. |
“Cosa stai facendo?” Examples
This phrase emphasizes that the action is happening right now. It’s suitable for both informal and slightly more formal settings.
| Italian | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Cosa stai facendo ora? | What are you doing now? | Asking about the current activity. |
| Cosa stai facendo di bello? | What are you doing that’s fun? | Showing interest in their current activity. |
| Cosa stai facendo con quel coltello? | What are you doing with that knife? | Expressing concern or curiosity. |
| Cosa stai facendo al computer? | What are you doing on the computer? | Asking about their computer activity. |
| Cosa stai facendo in giardino? | What are you doing in the garden? | Inquiring about their gardening activities. |
| Cosa stai facendo di così interessante? | What are you doing that’s so interesting? | Expressing curiosity about their activity. |
| Cosa stai facendo con la mia macchina? | What are you doing with my car? | Expressing concern or surprise. |
| Cosa stai facendo per cena? | What are you making for dinner? | Asking about dinner preparations. |
| Cosa stai facendo con tutti quei libri? | What are you doing with all those books? | Inquiring about their reading activities. |
| Cosa stai facendo per il progetto? | What are you doing for the project? | Asking about progress on a task. |
| Cosa stai facendo con il mio telefono? | What are you doing with my phone? | Expressing concern or curiosity. |
| Cosa stai facendo per la festa? | What are you doing for the party? | Asking about party preparations. |
| Cosa stai facendo con tutti questi soldi? | What are you doing with all this money? | Expressing surprise or curiosity. |
| Cosa stai facendo per migliorare l’italiano? | What are you doing to improve your Italian? | Asking about language learning activities. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questa ricetta? | What are you doing with this recipe? | Asking about cooking plans. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questo strumento? | What are you doing with this tool? | Inquiring about the use of a tool. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questa applicazione? | What are you doing with this app? | Asking about app usage. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questa tecnologia? | What are you doing with this technology? | Asking about technology usage. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questo software? | What are you doing with this software? | Asking about software usage. |
| Cosa stai facendo con questo design? | What are you doing with this design? | Asking about design activities. |
“Che cosa stai facendo?” Examples
This is a more explicit and common way to ask “What are you doing?” in the present continuous tense.
| Italian | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Che cosa stai facendo di preciso? | What exactly are you doing? | Seeking specific details about their activity. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per risolvere questo problema? | What are you doing to solve this problem? | Asking about problem-solving strategies. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per prepararti all’esame? | What are you doing to prepare for the exam? | Asking about exam preparation activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per migliorare la tua salute? | What are you doing to improve your health? | Asking about health-related activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per aiutare gli altri? | What are you doing to help others? | Asking about charitable activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per proteggere l’ambiente? | What are you doing to protect the environment? | Asking about environmental efforts. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per imparare una nuova lingua? | What are you doing to learn a new language? | Asking about language learning methods. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per trovare un lavoro? | What are you doing to find a job? | Asking about job search activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per risparmiare denaro? | What are you doing to save money? | Asking about money-saving strategies. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per raggiungere i tuoi obiettivi? | What are you doing to achieve your goals? | Asking about steps towards achieving goals. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per organizzare questa festa? | What are you doing to organize this party? | Asking about party planning activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per decorare la casa? | What are you doing to decorate the house? | Asking about home decorating activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per riparare la macchina? | What are you doing to repair the car? | Asking about car repair activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per cucinare questa ricetta? | What are you doing to cook this recipe? | Asking about cooking steps. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per scrivere questo libro? | What are you doing to write this book? | Asking about writing process. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per sviluppare questa applicazione? | What are you doing to develop this app? | Asking about app development steps. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per creare questo design? | What are you doing to create this design? | Asking about design process. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per gestire questo progetto? | What are you doing to manage this project? | Asking about project management activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per pianificare questo viaggio? | What are you doing to plan this trip? | Asking about travel planning activities. |
| Che cosa stai facendo per costruire questa casa? | What are you doing to build this house? | Asking about construction steps. |
Formal Examples
In formal settings, it’s best to use the “Lei” form. Here are some examples:
| Italian | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Cosa sta facendo, signore/signora? | What are you doing, sir/madam? | Addressing someone formally. |
| Che cosa sta facendo di preciso, dottore? | What exactly are you doing, doctor? | Addressing a doctor formally. |
| Cosa sta facendo qui, signor Rossi? | What are you doing here, Mr. Rossi? | Addressing someone by their last name formally. |
| Che cosa sta facendo per risolvere questa situazione, professore? | What are you doing to resolve this situation, professor? | Addressing a professor formally. |
Usage Rules
There are several rules to keep in mind when asking “What are you doing?” in Italian.
Tense Agreement
Make sure to use the correct tense depending on whether you are asking about a general activity or something happening right now. Use the simple present (Che fai?, Che cosa fai?) for general activities and the present continuous (Cosa stai facendo?, Che cosa stai facendo?) for actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Pronoun Omission
In Italian, it is common to omit the subject pronoun (tu – you) because the verb conjugation already indicates who is performing the action. However, you can include the pronoun for emphasis or clarity. For example, you can say Tu cosa stai facendo? to emphasize that you are asking that *specific* person.
Contextual Appropriateness
Always consider the level of formality and the relationship with the person you are speaking to when choosing which phrase to use. Che fai? is very informal, while Cosa sta facendo? is more formal, especially when using the “Lei” form.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes that learners make when asking “What are you doing?” in Italian, along with corrections.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cosa fai facendo? | Cosa stai facendo? | The correct auxiliary verb to use with the gerund is stare, not fare. |
| Che cosa fare? | Che cosa fai? | The verb must be conjugated in the second-person singular present tense (fai). |
| Che stai fai? | Cosa stai facendo? or Che cosa stai facendo? | The word order is incorrect. The correct structure is Cosa stai facendo? or Che cosa stai facendo?. |
| Che fai tu? | Che fai? | While not grammatically incorrect, omitting the pronoun “tu” is more natural in Italian. However, Tu che fai? can be used for emphasis. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Translation
Translate the following English sentences into Italian using the appropriate phrase.
| English | Italian |
|---|---|
| What are you doing tonight? (informal) | |
| What are you doing right now? (general) | |
| What are you doing with that hammer? | |
| What are you doing for work? | |
| What are you doing here alone? | |
| What are you doing to prepare for the trip? | |
| What are you doing to improve your Italian? | |
| What are you doing, sir? (formal) | |
| What are you doing with my phone? | |
| What are you doing to relax? |
Answer Key:
| English | Italian |
|---|---|
| What are you doing tonight? (informal) | Che fai stasera? |
| What are you doing right now? (general) | Cosa stai facendo ora? |
| What are you doing with that hammer? | Cosa stai facendo con quel martello? |
| What are you doing for work? | Che cosa fai di lavoro? |
| What are you doing here alone? | Che cosa fai qui da solo/a? |
| What are you doing to prepare for the trip? | Che cosa stai facendo per prepararti al viaggio? |
| What are you doing to improve your Italian? | Che cosa stai facendo per migliorare il tuo italiano? |
| What are you doing, sir? (formal) | Cosa sta facendo, signore? |
| What are you doing with my phone? | Cosa stai facendo con il mio telefono? |
| What are you doing to relax? | Che cosa fai per rilassarti? |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “What are you doing?”
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| Amico, ______ stasera? | |
| Signora, ______ qui? (formal) | |
| ______ con quel libro? | |
| ______ per il fine settimana? | |
| ______ di bello? | |
| ______ con la mia borsa? | |
| ______ per il progetto? | |
| ______ per aiutare l’ambiente? | |
| ______ per imparare l’italiano? | |
| ______ di solito la domenica? |
Answer Key:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| Amico, che fai stasera? | che fai |
| Signora, cosa sta facendo qui? (formal) | cosa sta facendo |
| Cosa stai facendo con quel libro? | Cosa stai facendo |
| Che cosa fai per il fine settimana? | Che cosa fai |
| Cosa stai facendo di bello? | Cosa stai facendo |
| Cosa stai facendo con la mia borsa? | Cosa stai facendo |
| Cosa stai facendo per il progetto? | Cosa stai facendo |
| Che cosa fai per aiutare l’ambiente? | Che cosa fai |
| Che cosa fai per imparare l’italiano? | Che cosa fai |
| Che cosa fai di solito la domenica? | Che cosa fai |
Exercise 3: Dialogue Completion
Complete the following dialogues with the appropriate question.
| Dialogue | Answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Person A: Sto cucinando. Person B: ______? |
||
| Person A: Sto leggendo un libro. Person B: ______? |
||
| Person A: Sto lavor | Person B: ______? | |
| Person A: Sto studiando per l’esame. Person B: ______? |
||
| Person A: Sto andando al cinema. Person B: ______? |
Answer Key:
| Dialogue | Answer |
|---|---|
| Person A: Sto cucinando. Person B: Cosa stai cucinando? |
Cosa stai cucinando? |
| Person A: Sto leggendo un libro. Person B: Che cosa stai leggendo? |
Che cosa stai leggendo? |
| Person A: Sto lavorando. Person B: Che cosa fai di lavoro? |
Che cosa fai di lavoro? |
| Person A: Sto studiando per l’esame. Person B: Che esame stai preparando? |
Che esame stai preparando? |
| Person A: Sto andando al cinema. Person B: Che film vai a vedere? |
Che film vai a vedere? |
Advanced Topics
For those looking to deepen their understanding, here are some advanced topics related to asking “What are you doing?” in Italian.
Idiomatic Expressions
Italian, like any language, is full of idiomatic expressions. While there isn’t a direct idiomatic equivalent to “What are you doing?”, you might encounter phrases that serve a similar purpose in specific contexts. For example, “Che combini?” (What are you up to?) is an informal way of asking what someone is doing, often implying that they might be getting into mischief.
Regional Variations
While the phrases discussed in this article are widely understood throughout Italy, some regional variations exist. In certain regions, you might hear slightly different expressions or pronunciations.
However, the core meaning remains the same, and you should have no trouble communicating using the standard phrases.
FAQ
When should I use “Che fai?” vs. “Cosa stai facendo?”
Use “Che fai?” in informal settings with close friends and family. “Cosa stai facendo?” is suitable for both informal and slightly more formal situations, especially when you want to emphasize that the action is happening right now.
Is it rude to ask “Che fai?” to someone I don’t know well?
It might be considered too informal if you don’t know the person well. In such cases, it’s better to use “Cosa sta facendo?” (using the “Lei” form if appropriate) to maintain a polite distance.
Can I omit the pronoun “tu” when asking “What are you doing?”
Yes, it is common to omit the pronoun “tu” because the verb conjugation already indicates who is performing the action. However, you can include “tu” for emphasis.
What’s the difference between “Cosa stai facendo?” and “Che cosa stai facendo?”
They are very similar, but “Che cosa stai facendo?” is slightly more explicit and perhaps more common. Both are perfectly acceptable and widely used.
How do I ask “What are you doing?” in a formal email?
In a formal email, it’s best to avoid direct questions like “Cosa sta facendo?”. Instead, you could use a more indirect approach, such as “Le scrivo per sapere come sta procedendo con…” (I am writing to you to know how you are proceeding with…).
Conclusion
Asking “What are you doing?” in Italian involves several options, each with its own nuances and contexts. By understanding the structural breakdown, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with these phrases, you can confidently and accurately inquire about someone’s activities in Italian.
Whether you choose the informal “Che fai?” or the more explicit “Che cosa stai facendo?”, you will be able to engage in meaningful conversations and build stronger connections with Italian speakers. Keep practicing with the exercises provided, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different phrases to find what works best for you.
Mastering this fundamental question will significantly enhance your Italian language skills and cultural understanding.