How to Say ‘What work did you do before?’ in Simplified Chinese
你以前做什么工作？
nǐ yǐ qián zuò shén me gōng zuò
[nee yǐqián zuò shénme gong-dzwaw]
💬 Usage Tip: Chinese verbs don't change for past time. A time word like 以前 at the front is what puts the question in the past. The same goes for 以后 for the future.
Phrase Breakdown
你以前
nǐ yǐ qián
you, before
以前 (yǐqián) means 'before/previously'. 你 and 以 are both third tone, so 你 is said with a rising tone: ní yǐqián.
你以前住在哪儿？
Where did you live before?
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.
如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。
If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.
以前
yǐ qián
[yǐqián]
before; prior to
Placed after a time or event to mean 'before' it; alone it can also mean 'in the past'.
请在三点以前到。
Please arrive before three o'clock.
做什么工作？
zuò shén me gōng zuò
what work did (you) do?
做 (zuò) 'do' + 什么 (shénme) 'what' + 工作 (gōngzuò) 'work'. A common way to ask about someone's job.
他做什么工作？
What work does he do?
Words in this phrase
做
zuò
[zuò]
to do
General verb for doing an activity.
你在做什么？
What are you doing?
什么
shén me
[shénme]
what
Question word asking about things.
你想吃什么？
What do you want to eat?
工作
gōng zuò
[gong-dzwaw]
work; job
Refers to employment, tasks, or professional activities.
我很喜欢现在的工作。
I like my current job very much.
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