French Phrase
Et ensuite, on fait quoi ?
Meaning
Literally, “And then, what do we do?” It’s a casual way to ask what the next step is after something has just happened or been decided. The tone is informal and often carries a hint of curiosity or mild impatience.
When to use
Use this phrase in everyday conversation when you want to know the next action after a plan, a meeting, a movie, or any activity that just finished. It works well among friends, classmates, or coworkers in a relaxed setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Etensuite,onfaitquoi?
Et (conjunction)
Used to link ideas, equivalent to ‘and’ in English.
ensuite (adverb)
Means ‘then’ or ‘next’; it can appear at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
on (indefinite pronoun)
A neutral pronoun that can mean ‘we’, ‘people’, or ‘one’; commonly used in spoken French.
fait (verb faire, 3rd person singular)
Present‑tense form of ‘to do/make’; agrees with the subject ‘on’.
quoi (interrogative pronoun)
Used after a verb to ask ‘what?’, especially in informal spoken French.
🗨In Conversation
On a fini le film. Et ensuite, on fait quoi ?
We finished the movie. And then, what do we do?
On peut aller prendre un verre, si tu veux.
We could go have a drink, if you want.
✕Common Mistakes
Et ensuite, on fait qu’est‑ce que ?
‘Qu’est‑ce que’ is a more formal structure; in casual speech French speakers usually drop the ‘est‑ce’ and say ‘quoi’ after the verb.
Et ensuite, nous faisons quoi ?
Using ‘nous’ sounds stiff in everyday conversation; native speakers prefer ‘on’.
Et après, on fait quoi ?
While correct, ‘et après’ can sound slightly more formal; ‘et ensuite’ is the most natural in spoken French.
↔Alternatives
Et après, qu'est‑ce qu'on fait ?
And after that, what do we do?
Qu'est‑ce qu'on fait ensuite ?
What do we do next?
Et maintenant, on fait quoi ?
And now, what do we do?
Cultural Tip
In French, the informal pronoun ‘on’ is preferred over ‘nous’ in spoken language, even when the speaker means ‘we’. Adding ‘et ensuite’ signals that you’re thinking ahead, a habit common in French planning conversations. Avoid sounding too abrupt; a friendly tone or a smile helps keep the exchange light.