Spanish Phrase
Sí, ya se está haciendo el café.
Meaning
The speaker confirms that the coffee is already in the process of being prepared. It implies that the request for coffee has been heard and the preparation has started.
When to use
Use this sentence when someone asks if the coffee is ready or if it has started to be prepared. It works in both casual home settings and more formal environments like a café or office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Síyaseestáhaciendoelcafé
Sí (Yes)
Simple affirmative answer, placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Ya (Already)
Adverb placed before the verb phrase to indicate that the action has started.
Se + estar + gerundio (Passive progressive)
The construction *se está haciendo* expresses that something is in the process of being done, without specifying who is doing it.
Gerundio (Haciendo)
The gerund *haciendo* comes from *hacer* and is used with *estar* to form the present progressive.
El artículo definido (el café)
Definite article *el* is used because we are talking about a specific coffee that is expected.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya está listo el café?
Is the coffee ready yet?
Sí, ya se está haciendo el café.
Yes, the coffee is already being made.
✕Common Mistakes
Sí, ya está haciendo el café.
Without the passive *se* the sentence lacks a clear subject; you need *se está haciendo* to express ‘is being made’.
Sí, se está haciendo ya el café.
Placing *ya* after the verb (*se está haciendo ya el café*) sounds unnatural; *ya* should precede the verb phrase.
Sí, ya se va a hacer el café.
Using the infinitive *hacer* instead of the gerund changes the meaning to a future intention (*va a hacer el café*).
↔Alternatives
Sí, el café ya se está preparando.
Yes, the coffee is already being prepared.
Sí, ya estamos preparando el café.
Yes, we are already preparing the coffee.
Sí, el café ya está en marcha.
Yes, the coffee is already underway.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking households, coffee is a daily ritual and the act of making it is often announced to let others know it will be ready soon. The passive construction *se está haciendo* sounds a bit formal; in informal conversation you might hear *Ya estoy haciendo el café* or simply *Ya lo preparo*.