When learning Spanish, one of the first practical questions you encounter is “What are you going to do today?” Knowing how to ask and answer this question opens the door to everyday conversations, helps you make plans with friends, and lets you share your schedule in a natural way. Below you’ll find a step‑by‑step guide to forming the question, a clear explanation of the grammar behind it, useful variations, and a FAQ section that addresses common doubts learners have.
Introduction
The phrase *¿Qué vas a hacer hoy?Even so, * is the most common way to ask someone what they plan to do later in the day. It uses the near future construction ir a + infinitive, which Spanish speakers employ for intentions that are relatively certain or already decided. Mastering this structure not only lets you ask the question but also equips you to answer it confidently. In the sections that follow, we’ll break down each component, show you how to adapt the question for different contexts, and provide plenty of examples so you can start using it right away.
How to Form the Question
1. Identify the subject
The question can be directed at tú (informal “you”), usted (formal “you”), vosotros/vosotras (informal plural used mainly in Spain), or ustedes (formal or plural “you” in Latin America). The verb form changes accordingly.
2. Conjugate the verb ir (to go)
Ir is irregular, but in the present tense it follows a simple pattern:
| Subject | Conjugation of ir |
|---|---|
| yo | voy |
| tú | vas |
| él/ella/usted | va |
| nosotros/nosotras | vamos |
| vosotros/vosotras | vais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | van |
3. Add the preposition a
After the conjugated form of ir, always place a before the infinitive verb that expresses the action.
4. Choose the infinitive that matches the activity
Infinitives in Spanish end in -ar, -er, or -ir (e.g., estudiar, comer, viajar). Insert the infinitive that describes what the person intends to do.
5. Place the question word qué at the beginning
Qué means “what.” In questions, it goes first, followed by the verb phrase.
6. Add the time reference hoy (today)
You can put hoy at the end or right after the verb phrase; both are correct and sound natural Turns out it matters..
Putting it all together gives you the template:
¿Qué + [conjugated ir] + a + [infinitive] + hoy?
Examples
| Subject | Question | English |
|---|---|---|
| tú | ¿Qué vas a hacer hoy? | What are you going to do today? (Spain, informal plural) |
| ustedes | ¿Qué van a hacer hoy? | What are you going to do today? Here's the thing — |
| usted | ¿Qué va a hacer hoy? (formal) | |
| vosotros | ¿Qué vais a hacer hoy? | What are you going to do today? |
Grammar Behind the Phrase
Near Future with ir a + infinitive
Spanish uses two main ways to talk about the future: the simple future (cantaré, comeré, viviré) and the near future (ir a + infinitive). The near future expresses plans, intentions, or actions that are likely to happen soon. It is the equivalent of the English “going to” construction.
- Structure: subject + conjugated ir + a + infinitive
- Nuance: Suggests the speaker has already thought about the action; it feels more immediate than the simple future.
Why vas and not vas a?
The verb ir already carries the sense of “going.” The preposition a links it to the infinitive, forming a fixed chunk: vas a. Splitting them would break the grammatical unit (vas a hacer), so keep them together Not complicated — just consistent..
Position of hoy
Time adverbs like hoy, mañana, or esta tarde are flexible. They can appear at the end of the sentence for emphasis (¿Qué vas a hacer hoy?) or right after the verb phrase (¿Qué vas a hacer hoy?). Both orders are grammatically correct; the choice often depends on rhythm or what the speaker wants to highlight And that's really what it comes down to..
Formal vs. Informal Register
- Tú → informal, used with friends, family, peers.
- Usted → formal, used with strangers, elders, or in professional settings.
- Vosotros/vosotras → informal plural, primarily in Spain.
- Ustedes → formal plural in Spain, but the default plural form in Latin America (both formal and informal).
Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right form depending on who you’re speaking to and where you are.
Variations and Related Expressions
While ¿Qué vas a hacer hoy? is the go‑to phrase, native speakers often tweak it for different shades of meaning or to sound more natural in conversation Worth knowing..
1. Adding precisamente or exactamente for emphasis
- ¿Qué vas a hacer hoy, precisamente?
- ¿Qué vas a hacer hoy, exactamente?
These add a slight nuance of “exactly what are you planning?”
2. Using pensar + infinitive to ask about thoughts
- ¿Qué piensas hacer hoy? (What are you thinking
