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Italian Phrase

Cosa si sta facendo?

/ˈkɔ.za si sta faˈtʃen.o/
Meaning"What are you doing?"
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Meaning

Literally “What is being done?” It is used to ask what activity is currently taking place, often meaning “What are you doing?” in a neutral or slightly formal tone.

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When to use

Use this question when you want to know what someone is doing at the moment, especially in a setting where you’re not sure of the activity (e.g., entering a kitchen, seeing a group working, or checking on a project). It’s slightly more formal than the colloquial “Che cosa stai facendo?”.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Cosasistafacendo?

1

Cosa

Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It can appear alone or as “che cosa”.

2

si (impersonal/passive)

The pronoun “si” creates an impersonal or passive construction, similar to “one/people are…”.

3

sta + gerund

The verb “stare” + gerund forms the progressive (continuous) tense, equivalent to English “am/are/is doing”.

4

facendo

Gerund of “fare” (to do/make). In the progressive it conveys the ongoing action.

🗨In Conversation

A

Cosa si sta facendo?

What are you doing?

Sto preparando la cena.

I’m preparing dinner.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Cosa si sta fare?

    The verb must be in gerund form (facendo) after “sta”.

  • Cosa sta facendo?

    Do not drop the “si” if you want the impersonal nuance; without it the sentence becomes informal.

  • Che cosa si sta facendo

    Missing the question mark is fine in speech, but written Italian requires the opening and closing question marks.

  • Cosa si sta facendo?

    The gerund of “fare” is “facendo”, not “facendo”.

↔Alternatives

  • Che cosa stai facendo?

    What are you doing?

  • Cosa stai facendo?

    What are you doing?

  • Che cosa si sta facendo?

    What is being done?

  • Che cosa state facendo?

    What are you (plural) doing?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian the progressive is less common than in English; many speakers simply use the present simple (e.g., “Che fai?”). The impersonal “si” adds a neutral, slightly formal flavor and is typical in written or polite spoken contexts. Remember that “si” does not refer to a specific person, so the question can be directed at a group or used when you’re unsure who is acting.