💼

How to Say ‘You work’ in Italian

Lei lavora

LAY lah-VOH-rah

[LAY lah-VOH-rah]

💬 Usage Tip: Polite Lei "you" uses the same verb form as he/she: lavora, not lavori. So Lei parla inglese? "Do you speak English?" follows the same pattern.

Phrase Breakdown

Lei

[LAY]

you (formal)

Polite form of addressing someone directly.

Example

Questo regalo è per Lei.

This gift is for you.

lavora

[lah-VOH-rah]

do you work / he-she works

From the verb 'lavorare'; depending on context it can mean 'you work' in formal speech or 'he/she works.'

Example

Al networking event chiedo: "Lavora" qui da molto tempo?

At the networking event I ask: "Do you work" here for a long time?

Guides for Italian learners

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