How to Say ‘What do you do for work?’ in Simplified Chinese
你在做什么工作？
💬 Usage Tip: Formal inquiry about one's occupation.
🇨🇳 In China: A common way to start conversations, as work often defines identity in Chinese culture.
Phrase Breakdown
你在做什么
工作
Word-by-Word Breakdown
你
[nǐ]
you
Refers to the person one is speaking to.
你今天忙吗？
Are you busy today?
在
[zài]
at, in
Indicates location or time.
她在家。
She is at home.
做
[zuò]
do
Perform an action or task.
你在做什么？
What are you doing?
什么
[shén me]
what
Used to ask about something.
你在吃什么？
What are you eating?
工作
[gōng zuò]
work
The action or activity of a job.
她的工作是老师。
Her job is a teacher.
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