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

仕事では、どうしていますか。

shigoto de wa dou shi te i masu ka

[shee-goh-toh de wah dou shee teh ee mahs kah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: After you admit a weakness, expect this question. Your answer about how you cope matters more to the interviewer than the weakness itself.

Phrase Breakdown

仕事では、

shigoto de wa

at work

This sets the context. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

仕事では、毎日メールを書きます。

At work, I write emails every day.

Words in this phrase

仕事

shigoto

[shee-goh-toh]

work; job

Refers to work, occupation, or a job role; common in business and career conversations.

Example

今は営業の仕事をしています。

Right now I work in sales.

で

[de]

Indicates the location of an action.

Example

家で食事する。

Eat at home.

は

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

どうしていますか。

dou shi te i masu ka

how do you handle it?

Asks how someone deals with something in practice.

Example

疲れたとき、どうしていますか。

What do you do when you're tired?

Words in this phrase

どう

dou

[dou]

how

Interrogative pro-adverb used to ask about manner or state.

Example

どうしたらいいですか？

What should I do?

し

shi

[shee]

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

予約しします。

I do the reservation.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

い

[ee]

be; ongoing state part

Part of the continuous form that shows an action is currently happening.

Example

今も条件を比べている最中です。

I am still in the middle of comparing conditions.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Example

A席はありますか。

Are there A seats available?

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