German Phrase
Was machst du im Kunstunterricht?
Meaning
Literally, “What are you doing in art class?” The speaker wants to know which activity the listener is currently engaged in during the art lesson – drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.
When to use
Use this informal question with classmates, friends, or younger students when you’re curious about their current activity in the art lesson. In a formal setting you would say “Was machen Sie im Kunstunterricht?”
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasmachstduimKunstunterricht?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; it stands at the beginning of a question.
machst (2nd person singular of machen)
Present tense of the verb "machen" (to do/make); agrees with the subject "du".
du (personal pronoun)
Informal singular 'you', placed after the verb in a fronted‑question structure.
im = in dem (preposition + definite article)
The preposition "in" requires the dative case when referring to a location; it contracts with "dem" to "im".
Kunstunterricht (compound noun)
Literally "art lesson"; a masculine noun that stays in the dative case after "in dem".
Word order in wh‑questions
When a question word (Was) is fronted, the finite verb follows immediately, then the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Was machst du im Kunstunterricht?
What are you doing in art class?
Ich male ein Porträt von meinem Lieblingsmusiker.
I’m painting a portrait of my favorite musician.
✕Common Mistakes
Was du machst im Kunstunterricht?
In a wh‑question the verb must come directly after the question word, not after the subject.
Was machst du in Kunstunterricht?
The preposition "in" needs the dative article "dem"; it contracts to "im".
Was machst Sie im Kunstunterricht?
If you keep the informal "du" you must not switch to the formal "Sie"; choose one register.
↔Alternatives
Was wirst du im Kunstunterricht machen?
What will you do in art class?
Was tust du im Kunstunterricht?
What are you doing in art class?
Was machst du im Kunstkurs?
What are you doing in the art course?
Cultural Tip
In German schools the Kunstunterricht often combines drawing, painting, and craft projects. The informal "du" is standard among peers, but teachers usually address students with "Sie" unless a classroom policy allows the informal form. In Austria you might hear "Kunststunde" instead of "Kunstunterricht".