When to use two different phrases

Question

What is the difference between "qué hace" and "qué está haciendo", and when would you use either?

Answer 1

Let's just say the subject is 'he'.

Qué hace? what does he do?

Qué está haciendo? What is he doing?

The only difference is that the second sentence can only be used for what is happening and going on right at that moment, or in progress (that's why it's called the progressive).

Otherwise, when would you use them in English?

Answer 2

Actually, I believe doing is the Gerund and refers to an ongoing action..dying, playing, etc..But, in Spanish ¿Que hace? could also mean what are you doing? But it usually refers to what are you doing now, whereas ¿que está haciendo? is just generally what are you doing.

Present participle, not gerund. - lorenzo9, May 30, 2011

Thanks. - Rey55, May 30, 2011

Answer 3

Many of the other answers are technically correct.

However, here in Mexico they are used completely interchangeably to mean "What's up" or "What are doing".

Common speach is not usually very correct.

Good thought, af, however the correct spelling is speech. - NancyGrace, May 30, 2011

Answer 4

¿Qué hace? = What does he/she do or What do you do? (Ud)

The present tense can also be translated as what is he doing/she doing /are you doing?

¿Qué está haciendo ...(.tu amigo)? This form using the present progressive/continuous tense is only used to talk about what is happening at the time.

= What is s/he (your friend) doing?

I hope this helps

Answer 5

Does the subject go after the verb in both examples?

Por ejemplo:

¿Qué hace tu hermano?

¿Qué está haciendo tu hermano?

Yes. - lazarus1907, May 30, 2011

Thank you. Still not the easiest thing to wrap my head around, but it's starting to happen more naturally for me. - Tosh, May 30, 2011