A1 Expression Informal

co robisz?

what are you doing?

Significado

Asking about someone's current activity.

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Contexto cultural

Poles often use 'Co robisz?' as a literal inquiry. If you ask this, be prepared for a detailed answer about their current task, rather than just a 'Not much'. Among young people, 'Co robisz?' is frequently shortened in texts to 'Co rob?' or replaced by 'Co tam?'. It's the primary way to check availability for gaming or hanging out. Even in modern startups, the 'Pan/Pani' boundary is respected until explicitly invited to use 'Ty'. Using 'Co robisz?' too early can stall your professional integration. In villages, 'Co robisz?' might still carry the older connotation of 'What work are you performing?', reflecting the agrarian roots of the verb.

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Drop the 'Ty'

Don't say 'Co ty robisz?' unless you are surprised or angry. Just 'Co robisz?' is more natural.

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Watch the Register

Never use this with your Polish mother-in-law unless she has explicitly asked you to use 'Ty'!

Significado

Asking about someone's current activity.

💡

Drop the 'Ty'

Don't say 'Co ty robisz?' unless you are surprised or angry. Just 'Co robisz?' is more natural.

⚠️

Watch the Register

Never use this with your Polish mother-in-law unless she has explicitly asked you to use 'Ty'!

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The 'Weekend' Bridge

Use 'Co robisz w weekend?' as the ultimate low-pressure way to ask someone out.

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Expect Real Answers

If a Pole tells you they are 'cleaning the toilet,' don't be shocked. They are just answering your question literally!

Ponte a prueba

Complete the question for a friend.

Cześć Marek, co ______?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: robisz

Since you are talking to Marek (informal 'you'), you use the 2nd person singular form 'robisz'.

You are talking to your boss. Which is correct?

How do you ask your boss what they are doing?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Co Pan robi?

In a formal setting with a male boss, you must use 'Pan' and the 3rd person singular verb form.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Phrases: 1. Co robisz? 2. Co robicie? 3. Co Pani robi?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 1-c, 2-a, 3-b

1 is singular informal, 2 is plural informal, 3 is singular formal (female).

Fill in the missing line.

A: Hej! ______ w sobotę? B: Nic, jestem wolny. Może pójdziemy do kina?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Co robisz

The context of 'Saturday' and 'being free' implies an inquiry about plans.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Formal vs Informal

Informal (Friends)
Co robisz? What are you doing?
Formal (Strangers)
Co Pan/Pani robi? What are you doing? (Formal)

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the question for a friend. Fill Blank A1

Cześć Marek, co ______?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: robisz

Since you are talking to Marek (informal 'you'), you use the 2nd person singular form 'robisz'.

You are talking to your boss. Which is correct? Choose A2

How do you ask your boss what they are doing?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Co Pan robi?

In a formal setting with a male boss, you must use 'Pan' and the 3rd person singular verb form.

Match the phrase to the situation. Match A2

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 1-c, 2-a, 3-b

1 is singular informal, 2 is plural informal, 3 is singular formal (female).

Fill in the missing line. dialogue_completion A1

A: Hej! ______ w sobotę? B: Nic, jestem wolny. Może pójdziemy do kina?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Co robisz

The context of 'Saturday' and 'being free' implies an inquiry about plans.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

12 preguntas

Only if used with someone you should address formally (like a teacher or stranger). With friends, it's perfectly polite.

Yes, but usually you add 'zawodowo' (professionally) to be clear: 'Co robisz zawodowo?'.

The plural is 'Co robicie?'. Use this when talking to two or more friends.

Answer with 'Ja' + verb, or just the verb: 'Czytam' (I'm reading), 'Oglądam TV' (I'm watching TV).

'Co porabiasz?' is slightly more casual and 'lighter,' like 'What are you up to?'.

Yes, but it sounds more emphatic, like 'What on earth are you doing?'.

Yes, it is probably one of the top 5 most sent text messages in Poland.

You say: 'Co Pani robi?'.

Yes, 'robić' means both 'to do' and 'to make'. Context tells you which one it is.

Yes, Polish 'r' is always rolled (alveolar trill).

No, that would be considered very aggressive or rude. Use 'Przepraszam...' first.

Usually, you can see them, but in writing, you use 'Państwo' (plural) or 'Pan/Pani'.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

Co porabiasz?

similar

What are you up to?

🔗

Co słychać?

similar

What's new? / How's it going?

🔄

Co tam?

synonym

What's up?

🔗

Co Pan robi?

specialized form

What are you doing? (Formal)

🔗

Co się dzieje?

similar

What's happening?

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