German Phrase
Was machst du nach dem Abendessen?
Meaning
The sentence asks someone about their plans or activities after the evening meal. It is a neutral, everyday question that can be used with friends, family, or colleagues.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversation when you want to know what a person will do after dinner – for example, before making your own plans, or to suggest an activity together.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasmachstdunachdemAbendessen?
Interrogative pronoun "Was"
"Was" means "what" and is used to ask about an action or thing.
Verb position (V2) in questions
In a main‑clause question the verb follows the question word, so "machst" comes right after "Was".
Verb conjugation
"machst" is the 2nd‑person singular present of "machen" (to do / to make).
Preposition "nach" + dative
"nach" (after) always governs the dative case; therefore the article is "dem".
Dative article "dem"
"dem" is the masculine/neuter dative singular definite article, used here with "Abendessen".
Noun "Abendessen"
"Abendessen" is a neuter noun meaning "dinner"; in the dative it stays "dem Abendessen".
🗨In Conversation
Was machst du nach dem Abendessen?
What are you doing after dinner?
Ich gehe noch ein bisschen spazieren, willst du mitkommen?
I’m going for a short walk, do you want to come along?
✕Common Mistakes
Was machst du nach den Abendessen?
"nach" requires the dative case, not accusative; the correct article is "dem".
Was du machst nach dem Abendessen?
In a question the verb must directly follow the question word (V2 order).
Was machst du nach das Abendessen?
The article must be dative "dem", not nominative "das".
Machst du nach dem Abendessen was?
While understandable, the natural order is "Was machst du…"; placing "was" at the end sounds awkward.
↔Alternatives
Was hast du nach dem Abendessen vor?
What do you have planned after dinner?
Was machst du nach dem Essen?
What do you do after the meal?
Was wirst du nach dem Abendessen machen?
What will you be doing after dinner?
Cultural Tip
In Germany dinner (Abendessen) is usually eaten between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. After the meal many people relax, watch TV, take a walk (especially in the summer), or meet friends for a drink. If you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well, switch to the formal "Sie": "Was machen Sie nach dem Abendessen?". In northern Germany the word "Abendbrot" (evening bread) is often used for a lighter dinner.