PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
❓💼

How to Say ‘And what do you do for a living?’ in Mexican Spanish

¿Y a qué se dedica?

ee ah keh seh deh-DEE-kah

[ee ah keh seh deh-DEE-kah]

💬 Usage Tip: dedicarse a means "to do for a living". Answer with Me dedico a la contabilidad "I work in accounting" or simply Soy plus your job.

Phrase Breakdown

¿Y a qué

ee ah keh

And what

'Y a' blends into one sound, 'ya-KE'. 'Qué' has an accent because it's a question word.

Example

¿Y a qué hora llega?

And what time do you arrive?

Words in this phrase

Y

[ee]

and

A conjunction used to join words or ideas.

Example

«Y» conecta «trabajo» y «vida personal».

“Y” connects “work” and “personal life.”

a

[ah]

to

Preposition used before a person as the object of introduction.

Example

Voy a a la mesa de empresas internacionales.

I'm going to the table of international companies.

qué

[keh]

what

An interrogative word used in questions to ask for specific information.

Example

Uso «qué» para hacer una pregunta clara.

I use “what” to ask a clear question.

se dedica?

seh deh-DEE-kah

do you do (for a living)?

From 'dedicarse a' (to work as / devote oneself to). Say it se de-DI-ka, with the pitch rising slightly.

Example

¿Su esposa a qué se dedica?

What does your wife do for a living?

Words in this phrase

se

[seh]

yourself

Reflexive pronoun for 'usted' with 'esforzarse'.

Example

No se preocupe.

Don't worry.

dedica

[deh-DEE-kah]

do (for a living)

From 'dedicarse a': to work at or devote oneself to something; formal 'you' form.

Example

Mi hermana se dedica a la medicina.

My sister works in medicine.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Mexico City for work and needed to get conversational fast. Two weeks of daily practice and I was ordering tacos and negotiating with my landlord in Spanish.”

David K., 35, Startup Founder

“I spent a month backpacking through Colombia and this app was a lifesaver. The lessons meant I could handle real situations from day one.”

Rachel T., 26, Travel Blogger

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer