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How to Say ‘What do you like doing?’ in German

Was machst du gern?

vas MAKHST doo gehrn

[vas MAKHST doo gehrn]

💬 Usage Tip: Add gern after any verb to say you like doing it: ich lese gern "I like reading". No separate verb for "like" is needed.

Phrase Breakdown

Was machst

vas MAKHST

What do (you) do

'Was' sounds like 'vass'. The 'ch' in 'machst' is a soft throaty sound, like clearing your throat gently.

Example

Was machst du heute?

What are you doing today?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vas]

what

Question word asking about a thing.

Example

Was machst du?

What are you doing?

machst

[MAKHST]

do (you)

Du-form of 'machen', to do or make.

Example

Was machst du heute?

What are you doing today?

du gern?

doo gehrn

you like to?

'gern' after a verb means you like doing that thing. Let your voice rise at the end because it's a question.

Example

Liest du gern?

Do you like reading?

Words in this phrase

[doo]

you

The pronoun 'du' in nominative form.

Example

Du bist schön.

You are beautiful.

gern

[gehrn]

like to (do), enjoy

Used after a verb to say someone likes doing something; 'gern spielen' means to like playing.

Example

Sie malt gern mit Farben.

She likes painting with colors.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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