Italian Phrase
Cosa fai alla fine?
Meaning
Literally, 'What do you do at the end?' It can refer to the final step of a process, the last activity of the day, or what someone plans to do after something is finished.
When to use
Use this question when you want to know someone's last action in a sequence, the final part of a routine, or their plans after a project or event is over.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosafaiallafine?
Cosa (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in informal spoken Italian; can be replaced by 'Che cosa' for a slightly more formal tone.
fai (present of fare)
Second‑person singular present indicative of the verb *fare* (to do/make).
alla (a + la)
A contraction of the preposition *a* (to/at) and the definite article *la*, meaning 'at the' or 'to the'.
fine (noun)
Means 'end' or 'conclusion'; when combined with *alla* it refers to a point in time or a place.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa fai alla fine della lezione?
What do you do at the end of the lesson?
Di solito rivedo gli appunti e poi mi rilasso con un caffè.
I usually review my notes and then relax with a coffee.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa fai alla fine?
If you are asking about a future action, use *farai* (future tense) instead of the present *fai*.
Cosa fai a fine?
Do not drop the article; *alla fine* (to the end) is required, not *a fine*.
Cosa fai alla fine?
In very formal writing, prefer *Che cosa*; using just *Cosa* can sound too colloquial.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa fai alla fine?
What do you do at the end?
Cosa farai alla fine?
What will you do at the end?
Che farai alla fine?
What will you do at the end?
Cultural Tip
In Italian, *alla fine* can also be used idiomatically to mean 'in the end' or 'after all' (e.g., *Alla fine, ho deciso di partire*). When you want the literal sense of a specific moment or place, keep the noun *fine* clear, as in the example above. Italians often add a clarifying noun after *fine* (e.g., *alla fine della giornata* – 'at the end of the day').