How to Say ‘Do you work’ in German
Arbeiten Sie
AR-bye-ten zee
[AR-bye-ten zee]
💬 Usage Tip: [Sie] takes the same verb form as [sie] (they): [arbeiten], not [arbeitest]. The same pattern works in questions too: [Kommen Sie?], [Haben Sie...?].
🇩🇪 In Germany: At a career event, [Sie] is the safe default with adults you've just met. Wait for the other person to offer [du] if they want to switch.
Phrase Breakdown
Arbeiten
[AR-bye-ten]
do you work
A polite question form of 'arbeiten' used with 'Sie'.
Mit „Arbeiten Sie“ starte ich eine Frage über Berufserfahrung.
With “Do you work,” I start a question about professional experience.
Sie
[zee]
you
Formal 'you' used in business questions and conversation.
Ich frage höflich: „Arbeiten Sie im IT-Bereich?“
I ask politely: “Do you work in the IT sector?”
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