What are you doing tonight?
in Spanish¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche?
/keh BAHS ah ah-SEHR EHS-tah NOH-cheh/
This is the most direct and standard way to ask about someone's plans. It literally translates to 'What are you going to do tonight?' and works in almost any setting.
Asking about evening plans is the first step toward a fun night out with friends!
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué haces esta noche?
/keh AH-sehs EHS-tah NOH-cheh/
Using the present tense makes the question feel more immediate and conversational.
¿Qué planes tienes para hoy?
/keh PLAH-nehs TYEH-nehs PAH-rah oy/
A very common way to ask 'What plans do you have for today?' which naturally includes the evening.
¿Qué hacés hoy?
/keh ah-SEHS oy/
Uses the 'voseo' form typical of the Rio de la Plata region.
¿Qué va a hacer esta noche?
/keh bah ah ah-SEHR EHS-tah NOH-cheh/
The polite version used when addressing someone as 'usted'.
¿Qué onda para hoy?
/keh OHN-dah PAH-rah oy/
A very Mexican way to say 'What's the vibe for today?' or 'What's up for tonight?'
¿Sale algo esta noche?
/SAH-leh AHL-goh EHS-tah NOH-cheh/
Literally 'Is anything coming out tonight?', meaning 'Is anything happening?'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Compare the different ways to ask about evening plans based on who you are talking to.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué vas a hacer...? | Neutral | Almost anyone. | Never; it's always safe. |
| ¿Qué hacés...? | Informal | Friends in Argentina. | Talking to a boss in Spain. |
| ¿Qué onda para hoy? | Slang | Young friends in Mexico. | In a job interview. |
📈Difficulty Level
The 'h' in 'hacer' is silent, which is the only tricky part for English speakers.
Standard 'going to' structure that mirrors English 'go + to + verb'.
Mostly straightforward, just remember that 'night' starts late!
Key Challenges:
- Silent 'h' in 'hacer'
- Differentiating between 'hoy' and 'esta noche'
💡Examples in Action
Oye, ¿qué vas a hacer esta noche? Vamos al cine.
Hey, what are you doing tonight? Let's go to the movies.
Disculpe, ¿qué va a hacer esta noche? Hay una cena de negocios.
Excuse me, what are you doing tonight? There is a business dinner.
¿Qué planes tienes? Si no haces nada, ¡ven a mi casa!
What are your plans? If you're not doing anything, come to my house!
🌍Cultural Context
The Meaning of 'Night' in Spanish
In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'la noche' starts much later than in the US or UK. 'Esta noche' usually refers to anything after 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. If you are asking about 6:00 PM, you might want to say 'esta tarde'.
Social Flexibility
Asking someone about their plans is often seen as a prelude to an invitation. Spanish speakers are generally very social, and it is common to ask this even on weekdays, as dinner and social gatherings often run late.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Trap
Mistake: "¿Qué estás haciendo esta noche?"
Correction: ¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche?
Confusing Today and Tonight
Mistake: "Asking 'qué haces hoy' when you specifically mean 11:00 PM."
Correction: Use 'esta noche' for late plans.
💡Pro Tips
Keep it Simple
If you're nervous, just say '¿Qué haces hoy?'. It's short, natural, and impossible to get wrong grammatically.
The Tone Matters
If you want to sound like you're asking someone on a date, lower your pitch slightly and use '¿Tienes planes para esta noche?'. It sounds more intentional and romantic.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
'Al rato' literally means 'in a little bit' but is frequently used to refer to later that evening.
Spain
In Spain, 'luego' (later) is used constantly to refer to the immediate evening ahead.
💬What Comes Next?
They say they have no plans
Nada, ¿por qué?
Nothing, why?
¿Quieres ir a tomar algo?
Do you want to go grab a drink?
They are busy
Ya tengo planes.
I already have plans.
¡Qué pena! Otra vez será.
What a shame! Maybe another time.
🧠Memory Tricks
Think: What 'assets' (hacer) are you using tonight? It helps you remember the verb for 'to do'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
¿Quieres salir?
The natural follow-up once you know someone is free.
Estoy libre
So you can answer the same question if someone asks you!
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What are you doing tonight?
Question 1 of 2
You are talking to your new boss and want to invite them to a team dinner. Which is best?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'esta noche' mean 'tonight' or 'this night'?
It means both! Spanish doesn't have a separate word for 'tonight,' so 'esta noche' (this night) is the standard way to say it.
Is it okay to just say '¿Qué haces?'
Yes, but that usually means 'What are you doing right now?'. If you want to talk about the future, add 'esta noche' or 'hoy' to be clear.
What if I want to ask about tomorrow night?
Simply swap 'esta noche' for 'mañana por la noche' (tomorrow at night).
How do I say 'Do you have plans?'
You can say '¿Tienes planes?' (informal) or '¿Tiene planes?' (formal). It's a very common alternative.
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