How to Say “What Do You Do?” in French

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qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
The English phrase "what do you do?" is translated into French as qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their job or profession. Adding the phrase dans la vie specifies that you are asking about their long-term occupation rather than their current activity.

What does it mean word for word?

The part dans la vie literally means "in life".

Which one should you use?

If you omit the phrase dans la vie and simply ask qu'est-ce que tu fais ?, you are usually asking what someone is doing at this exact moment rather than asking about their occupation.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

There are several ways to ask this depending on the social context. Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ? is an informal way to ask what someone does. For a more polite or formal tone, use the version with vous: qu'est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? Other formal options include Que faites-vous dans la vie ?, Quelle est votre profession ? or Pouvez-vous me parler de votre métier ? In very casual or colloquial speech, you might hear Tu fais quoi comme boulot ? or the rearranged Tu fais quoi dans la vie ?

What mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid asking qu'est-ce que tu fais ? if your intention is to ask about someone's profession, as this typically asks what they are doing right now. Use dans la vie to clarify that you mean their career.

Did you know?

  • In French culture, asking someone qu'est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? too early in a conversation can be seen as overly intrusive or a way of judging someone's social status.
  • The word boulot, used in the casual version of this question, is a slang term for 'job' that likely originates from the word for 'ball of yarn', suggesting the repetitive nature of work.
  • The word métier in the formal phrase Pouvez-vous me parler de votre métier ? refers specifically to a craft or a skilled trade, rather than just any employment.

Examples in context

  • Bonjour Monsieur! Que faites-vous dans la vie?
    Hello Sir! What do you do in life?
  • Je suis avocat spécialisé en droit des affaires.
    I am a lawyer specializing in business law.
  • Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
    What do you do in life?
  • Je suis institutrice dans une école primaire.
    I am a primary school teacher.
  • Dis-moi, qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
    Tell me, what do you do for a living?

Example conversation

Gabriel and Chloé are meeting for the first time at a party.

  1. Gabriel

    Enchanté, Chloé. Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
    Nice to meet you, Chloé. What do you do for a living?
  2. Chloé

    Je suis infirmière. Et toi, Gabriel ?
    I am a nurse. And you, Gabriel?
  3. Gabriel

    Moi, je suis architecte.
    Me, I am an architect.
  4. Chloé

    C'est un métier passionnant !
    That is an exciting job!
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Tammy Molly
Tammy MollyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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