Portuguese Phrase
O que você anda fazendo?
Meaning
This phrase is a common idiomatic way to ask someone what they have been doing over a recent period of time. It uses the verb 'andar' (to walk) as an auxiliary verb to indicate a habitual or continuous action in the near past, similar to 'have been doing' in English.
When to use
Use this phrase when catching up with a friend, family member, or colleague you haven't seen for a few days or weeks. It is informal and invites the other person to share news about their life.
✦Grammar Breakdown
O quevocêandafazendo
Andar + Gerund
The verb 'andar' combined with a gerund (fazendo) expresses an action that has been happening frequently or continuously in recent times.
O que
This is the standard way to say 'What' at the beginning of a question in Portuguese.
🗨In Conversation
Oi, Paulo! Quanto tempo! O que você anda fazendo?
Hi, Paulo! It's been a while! What have you been up to lately?
Oi! Eu ando estudando muito para o vestibular.
Hi! I've been studying a lot for the entrance exams.
✕Common Mistakes
O que você anda fazer?
In this construction, the main verb must be in the gerund form (ending in -ndo) to indicate ongoing action.
O que você está fazendo?
While grammatically correct, this usually refers to what the person is doing right at this second, rather than 'lately'.
↔Alternatives
O que você tem feito?
What have you been doing?
Quais são as novidades?
What are the news?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian culture, this question is often the start of a real conversation. Unlike the English 'How are you?', which can be a simple greeting, 'O que você anda fazendo?' usually expects a more descriptive answer about work, studies, or hobbies.