In German, you say “Was machst du?” when you want to ask someone what they are doing.
The phrase breaks down as follows: “Was” means “what,” “machst” is the second-person singular form of the verb “machen,” which means “to do” or “to make,” and “du” means “you.” So, directly translated, it asks, “What are you doing?”
This is an informal way to ask, appropriate when you’re speaking with friends or peers. If you need to be more formal, you could use “Was machen Sie?” where “Sie” is the formal way to say “you.” Understanding the context in which you’re speaking will help you choose the more suitable form.
Next time you want to check in on a friend, use this phrase and practice your German skills!