which is more common?
I know both ways can be used, but which is more commonly used? If you wanted to say "what are you doing?" You could use the present tense, "¿qué haces" or the progressive tense, "¿qué estás haciendo?" The progressive seems more correct to me, which is probably because in English that's the direct translation of it. Again, I'm fully aware of the grammar and meanings of the two. I'd just like to know which one native speakers use more. Thank you!
4 Answers
Even though we have the ability grammatically to use present progressive in the case of "what are you doing?" and similar expressions, simple present tense such as "¿Qué haces?" during the moment of action is much more common and natural sounding and without any hint of English influence.
Also to ask what someone does for a living, it´s more natural at least in Mexico to say "¿A qué te dedicas?"
The natives will no doubt chime in here, but I hear ¿qué haces?" a LOT more.
I think we English speakers just lean towards the explicit present progressive because it´s closer to our use. I got used to it quickly in Spanish, simply because we do it in German too (use the present for the present progressive or near future) and I´d already had to wrap my head around that. For once, my German helped my Spanish instead of interfering with it.
¿Qué estás haciendo? is used the same way as in English. When the action is taking place in the very precise moment the question is being posed.
¿Qué haces? could either mean What are you doing right now? or What do you do (for a living) What are you doing later / or for Xmas, etc.
I am just a beginning student in spainish so take this with a grain of salt. I like "Qué haces" perhaps because it seem more casual. I Hope the native speakers chime in!
