💼❓

How to Say ‘Were you working?’ in Japanese

仕事をしていましたか。

shigoto o shi te i mashi ta ka

[shee-goh-toh wo shee teh ee mah-shee tah ka]

💬 Usage Tip: していました describes something you did steadily over a stretch of time in the past, not a single action. It is the natural way to talk about a past job.

Phrase Breakdown

仕事を

shigoto o

work / a job (as the object)

仕事 (shigoto) means 'work' or 'job.' を (o) marks the object of the verb. Say it 'shigoto o.'

Example

仕事を探しています。

I am looking for a job.

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.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

していましたか。

shi te i mashi ta ka

were you doing?

The past progressive question form of する (suru), 'to do.' It is pronounced 'shite imashita ka.' The 'i' in 'shi' is often whispered.

Example

昨日、何をしていましたか。

What were you doing yesterday?

Words in this phrase

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.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past stem

Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.

Example

昨日は多くのことを学びました。

I learned many things yesterday.

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

か

[ka]

question particle

Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.

Example

行くか？

Shall we go?

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