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How to Say ‘What kind of work did you do before?’ in Japanese

前はどんな仕事をしていましたか。

mae wa donna shigoto o shi te i mashi ta ka

[mae wah dohn-nah shee-goh-toh wo shee teh ee mah-shee tah ka]

💬 Usage Tip: 前 (mae) on its own here means "before" or "previously". The は after it is said (wa).

Phrase Breakdown

前はどんな仕事を

mae wa donna shigoto o

before, what kind of job

前は (mae wa) means 'before' or 'previously.' どんな (donna) means 'what kind of.' Note that は is pronounced 'wa' here.

Example

どんな仕事が好きですか。

What kind of work do you like?

Words in this phrase

前

mae

[mae]

before

In advance of.

Example

食事の前に手を洗う。

Wash your hands before meals.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

どんな

donna

[dohn-nah]

what kind of

Used to ask for the type or nature of something.

Example

どんな感じですかと質問してみました。

I tried asking, 'What is it like?'

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 'to do.' Let your voice rise slightly on the final か (ka).

Example

大学で何を勉強していましたか。

What were you studying at university?

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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