6 Ways to Respond to 'What Are You Doing?'

The different implications of 'What are you up to?' and suggested replies suitable for any circumstance.'What are you up to?' is a phrase you'll encounter almost as frequently as a regular 'Hello,' but its significance can shift depending on the inquirer. How can you discern what the person truly wants to ask when the inquiry sounds identical each time? We're here to elucidate the various connotations of “What are you up to?” as well as provide you with numerous sample responses that will suit any situation.

“What are you up to?” serves as a casual form of greeting. Surprisingly, initiating a conversation with a question is not uncommon. When using this phrase casually, you're not necessarily interested in the person's activities but rather acknowledging their presence and possibly initiating a conversation.

• When spoken casually, the pronunciation of “What are you up to?” often becomes “Whatcha up to?”

Asking “What are you up to?” is equivalent to inquiring “What are you doing?” Specifically, it refers to asking about the current activity of the person. It could be out of curiosity if they're engaged in something interesting, like crafting, or to determine their availability. For instance, someone might ask this question via text to gauge your availability for hanging out.

• This question can be time-specific by adding terms like “tonight,” “tomorrow,” or “this weekend.” Therefore, if asked “What are you up to tomorrow?” you would share your plans for the following day.

This phrase can also inquire about recent activities, akin to asking “What have you been doing recently?” If you haven't seen someone in a while, they might use this question to catch up. It may be phrased as “What are you up to these days?” indicating a curiosity about your current activities or projects.

• Reserve this question for individuals you haven't encountered in perhaps a month or more. Asking someone you just saw yesterday would be redundant as you're already informed about their recent activities.
• This slightly differs from inquiring “What have you been up to?” which emphasizes ongoing events starting in the past and continuing to the present.
• “What are you up to (these days)?” primarily focuses on current ongoing events with less regard for their initiation timeframe.

Respond with a simple “Not much.” This is the typical response expected when someone uses “What are you up to?” as a casual greeting. Even if you are engaged in an activity, it's acceptable to reply with “Not much.” or provide a brief description of your current activity. Then, you can reciprocate by asking “You?” or “How about you?” Here are a few sample exchanges:

• Them: “Hey, what are you up to?”
• You: Not much, really. How about you?”
• Them: “Nothing. Just wanted to say hi.”
• Them: “Yo, what are you up to?”
• You: “Just doing homework. How about you?”
• Them: “Same.”

Inform them about your current activity. If they're interested in what you're presently doing, simply tell them. Your response can be concise or detailed, depending on the situation. Some potential replies include:

• “Just lounging around.”
• “Practicing my drawing skills.”
• “Reading the new book I received for my birthday.”
• “Watching the latest episode of my favorite show.”
• “Trying to assemble this bookshelf.”

Probe their intentions by asking “Why?” If you suspect they're inquiring about your availability, respond with a simple “Why?” to prompt them to elaborate on their plans. Your subsequent response depends on whether you're occupied or not. Here are some examples:

• “Not much. Why?”
• “Nothing really. Why? What’s up?”
• “I’m in the middle of tidying my room. Why?”
• “I’m about to head to the grocery store. Why? Did you want to do something?”

Offer a brief overview of significant events in your life. When reconnecting with someone after a while, they may want to hear about significant developments in your life. Highlight one or two events to initiate the conversation.

• “I changed jobs and am now working at a new company.”
• “Planning a trip with my friends.”
• “Not much. Preparing for exams, so I’m studying every day.”

Inject humor with an unexpected response. When asked “What are you up to?” people usually anticipate conventional answers like “Nothing” or a brief description of current activities. Surprise them with an unexpected or sarcastic response to elicit laughter. You can be as creative as you like. Here are some examples to get you started:

• “Trying to determine if a straw has one or two holes.”
• “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
• “Contemplating starting an underwater basket weaving club. Interested?”
• “Planning world domination. Oops, you weren’t supposed to know that.”
• “Engaged in conversation with you. Obviously.”
• “Breathing. Existing. You know, the usual.”
• “Pondering why you can never stand backwards on stairs.”

Seize the chance to flirt with your crush. When asked what you’re up to, use it as an opportunity to flirt playfully rather than being overly serious. You can be subtle or bold, depending on your comfort level. Here are some examples to spark your imagination:

• “Just thinking about you.”
• “Making plans for our next date.”
• “Wondering when I can see you again.”
• “Watching a movie... care to join me?”
• “Cooking dinner, but I may have cooked too much. Care to help me with that?”