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How to Say ‘What do you do?’ in Japanese

どうしますか。

dou shi masu ka

[doo shee mahss ka]

Phrase Breakdown

どう

dou

[doo]

how; in what way

どう asks about manner or method: 'how?' or 'what should one do?'

Example

どういきますか。

How do you go?

し

shi

[shee]

do

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

予約しします。

I do the reservation.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite non-past ending

Completes the polite expression します.

Example

いつもの道のほうが早い気がします。と控えめに話しました。

I spoke modestly, saying, 'I feel the usual road is faster.'

か

ka

[ka]

question particle

Added at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.

Example

お茶を飲みますか?

Do you drink tea?

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