¿En qué trabajas?
The English phrase "what do you do for work?" is translated into Spanish as ¿En qué trabajas?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their job or profession.
Which one should you use?
While ¿En qué trabajas? is a very common way to ask this, ¿A qué te dedicas? is a slightly more sophisticated way to ask about someone's occupation or vocation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To show respect to someone older or to speak in a formal setting, use the form ¿En qué trabaja usted? If you are asking more than one person about their jobs, use ¿En qué trabajan?
What mistakes should you avoid?
For example, instead of saying Soy un doctor, it is more natural to say Soy doctor.
Did you know?
- The word trabajo comes from the Latin 'tripalium', which was a three-pronged instrument used for torture. Over time, the word evolved from describing suffering to describing hard labor.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking about someone's profession is a common 'icebreaker' during first meetings. In some English-speaking cultures, this can be seen as too intrusive or focused on social status.
- While ¿En qué trabajas? focuses on the job, ¿A qué te dedicas? literally asks what you 'dedicate' yourself to. This second version is often preferred because it includes people who are students, retirees or stay-at-home parents.
Examples in context
- Es una pregunta interesante, ¿en qué trabajas?It is an interesting question, what do you do for work?
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are meeting for coffee at a cafe.
- ElenaHola Daniel, ¿en qué trabajas?Hi Daniel, what do you do for work?
- DanielSoy arquitecto, ¿y tú?I am an architect, and you?
- ElenaYo soy enfermera.I am a nurse.
- Daniel¡Qué bien!That's great!
