Portuguese Phrase
E agora, o que fazemos?
Meaning
Literally “And now, what do we do?”, this question is used to ask about the next step after a discussion, a completed task, or an unexpected situation. It conveys a sense of looking forward and often invites collaborative decision‑making.
When to use
Use it right after finishing a project, after receiving new information, or when a plan has just changed. It works in both informal conversations with friends and in more formal team meetings, though the tone may be softened in professional settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Eagora,oquefazemos?
Conjunction "E"
Used to connect ideas, similar to "and" in English. It can start a sentence to shift focus.
Adverb "agora"
Means "now" and indicates the present moment or a transition to the next step.
Interrogative pronoun "o que"
Literally "the what", it introduces a question about an action or situation.
Verb "fazemos"
First‑person plural present of "fazer" (to do/make). It agrees with the implied subject "nós".
Punctuation
A comma after "agora" creates a short pause, mirroring natural speech rhythm.
🗨In Conversation
Terminamos o relatório. E agora, o que fazemos?
We finished the report. And now, what do we do?
Vamos revisar os números e enviar ao cliente.
We’ll review the numbers and send it to the client.
✕Common Mistakes
E agora, o que fazer?
Do not use the infinitive "fazer" here; the sentence needs a conjugated verb that matches the subject "nós".
E agora. O que fazemos?
Avoid placing a period after "agora"; the comma keeps the flow and matches spoken Portuguese.
↔Alternatives
E então, o que fazemos?
So then, what do we do?
Qual é o próximo passo?
What’s the next step?
E depois, o que fazemos?
And after that, what do we do?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "E agora?" is a very common way to signal a shift in conversation, often with a casual tone. When speaking with strangers or in a formal setting, you might replace "E agora" with "Então" or "Qual é o próximo passo?" to sound more polished. The pause after "agora" (the comma) mirrors natural speech and helps the listener process the question.