Chto Ty Delayesh: What It Means and How Russians Use It
"Chto ty delayesh?" is Russian for "What are you doing?". It is the informal version, used with family, friends and partners, and it is pronounced roughly "shto tih dee-LA-yesh", with the stress on the second syllable of the verb. To a stranger, an older person or in a work setting you would say "Chto vy delayete?" instead.
We hear this phrase a lot at our shops in Saint Petersburg, mostly from customers abroad who are writing cards for Russian-speaking relatives or partners and want a few words in Russian. Below is a practical breakdown: the grammar in one minute, the tone the phrase can take, the usual replies, and how to use short Russian phrases on a gift card without sounding odd.
Word by word: chto, ty, delayesh
The phrase has three parts. "Chto" means "what", and although it is spelled with "ch", in normal speech it sounds like "shto". "Ty" is the informal "you", the equivalent of the old English "thou" in the sense that it signals closeness. "Delayesh" is the second-person singular of the verb "delat", "to do", in the present tense; Russian has no separate continuous tense, so the same form covers both "what do you do" and "what are you doing" depending on context.
The formal and plural form changes both the pronoun and the verb ending: "Chto vy delayete?". You use it with your partner's parents when you first meet them, with colleagues you are not close to, and with anyone noticeably older. Getting this right matters more in Russian than many learners expect, and switching from "vy" to "ty" is often something the older or more senior person proposes.
In casual messages the pronoun is often dropped: "Chto delayesh?" is exactly as natural, and slightly softer. Very short chat versions such as "Chto delaesh?" or simply "Chem zanyat?" ("What are you busy with?") are common among friends. Word order is flexible too, and "Ty chto delayesh?" puts extra weight on the person, often with a note of surprise.
Tone: from small talk to "What on earth are you doing?"
Most of the time "Chto delayesh?" is simple small talk, the Russian equivalent of "What are you up to?" sent by message in the evening. Between partners it is a typical way to start a chat, and it does not expect a detailed answer. Customers who ask us about it are often surprised that it is this ordinary, because translation apps make it look more direct than it sounds.
With a different intonation, the same words become a reaction. "Ty chto delayesh?!" said sharply means "What do you think you are doing?", for example when someone is about to knock over a vase or drive the wrong way. In writing, the exclamation mark and the pronoun placed first usually signal this tone.
There is also a playful, flirtatious use: "Chto ty so mnoy delayesh?" means "What are you doing to me?", said when someone makes you laugh, blush or lose your train of thought. It is close in spirit to the phrase covered in our article Ty Delayesh Menya, which is popular in songs and online comments and has its own nuances.
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How Russians usually answer
The most common reply is "Nichego" ("Nothing") or "Da nichego osobennogo" ("Nothing special"), which is the polite equivalent of "Not much". If you want to give a real answer, use the same verb pattern: "Rabotayu" ("I'm working"), "Otdykhayu" ("I'm resting"), "Gotovlyu uzhin" ("I'm cooking dinner"), "Yedu domoy" ("I'm on my way home").
It is natural to bounce the question back with "A ty?" ("And you?") or "A ty chto delayesh?". In messages between partners or close friends, the reply is often followed by something warmer, such as "Skuchayu po tebe" ("I miss you"), which is why the question works so well as an opener.
For learners, one useful rule: answer in the first person of the verb, which in most regular verbs ends in "-yu" or "-u". "Delayu" means "I'm doing", so "Delayu uroki" is "I'm doing my homework" and "Delayu buket" is "I'm making a bouquet", something our florists say several times a day.
Short Russian phrases for a gift card
Many orders from abroad come with a request to put a line in Russian on the card. The card with your text is free, and the shorter the Russian phrase, the safer it is. A question like "Chto ty delayesh?" works well as a playful opener on a surprise bouquet, for example: "Chto ty delayesh segodnya vecherom? Ya dumayu o tebe" ("What are you doing tonight? I'm thinking of you").
Other lines that read naturally on a card: "S dnyom rozhdeniya!" ("Happy birthday!"), "Lyublyu tebya" ("I love you"), "Skuchayu" ("I miss you"), "Spasibo za vsyo" ("Thank you for everything"). If you are not sure about the spelling, keep the phrase to two or three words you have checked, or call us before ordering and ask how the text will appear on the card.
Two etiquette points for Russia: give an odd number of stems in a gift bouquet, since even numbers are for funerals, and match "ty" or "vy" on the card to your relationship. A card to your partner's mother that uses "ty" without her invitation can feel too familiar, while "vy" to a partner would sound cold.
Sending the bouquet to Saint Petersburg or elsewhere in Russia
Pyat Tsvetov has been making bouquets since 2011 and has three of its own shops in Saint Petersburg: on Ilyushina Street, Obvodny Canal Embankment and Srednerogatskaya Street. In Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock, so a bouquet can arrive late in the evening, which suits a card that asks what someone is doing tonight. We also deliver across Russia; you can choose a bouquet in our catalogue.
City delivery costs 500 RUB, and the price for remote districts and suburbs is confirmed by the operator when the order is confirmed. In large cities express delivery takes 1 to 2 hours after confirmation. You can also choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a time window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1 to 30 days ahead.
Delivery is anonymous by default, so the courier does not name the sender; if you want the recipient to know, sign the card. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arriving. If nobody is home, we arrange a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge.
Paying from abroad and getting help
You pay online on the site by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted, with payment processed via Robokassa. This means a customer in Germany, the USA or Israel can place an order for a mother in Saint Petersburg without a Russian account. Full conditions are on our delivery and payment page.
If you want to check the Russian text on the card, ask which flowers suit the occasion or agree the delivery time, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05. From abroad, dial +7 812 507-67-05. Have the recipient's address and the card text ready, so the call takes a couple of minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What does "chto ty delayesh" mean?
It means "What are you doing?" in Russian. It is informal and used with friends, family and partners.
How do you pronounce "chto ty delayesh"?
Roughly "shto tih dee-LA-yesh". The "ch" in "chto" sounds like "sh", and the stress in "delayesh" falls on "la".
What is the formal version?
"Chto vy delayete?" uses the formal or plural "vy". Use it with older people, people you have just met and in professional settings.
How do I reply to "chto delayesh"?
A common short answer is "Nichego" ("Nothing") followed by "A ty?" ("And you?"). You can also name what you are doing, such as "Rabotayu" ("I'm working").
Can you write a Russian phrase on the card for me?
Yes, the card with your text is free. Write the phrase in the order form; if you have questions about how it will appear, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05.
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