How to Say ‘What do you do for a living?’ in Spain Spanish
¿A qué se dedica?
ah keh seh deh-DEE-kah
[ah keh seh deh-DEE-kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Word for word this is "to what do you dedicate yourself?". It's the standard way to ask someone's job, more natural than asking about trabajo.
Phrase Breakdown
¿A qué
ah keh
To what
'Qué' sounds like 'keh'. The 'u' is silent. Say it as one unit: a-KÉ.
¿A qué hora?
At what time?
Words in this phrase
A
[ah]
to
A preposition used before an infinitive verb.
Está dispuesto «A» colaborar con el equipo.
He is willing to collaborate with the team.
qué
[keh]
what
An interrogative word used to ask for information or clarification.
¿Qué tipo de cultura valoras en una empresa?
What type of culture do you value in a company?
se dedica?
seh deh-DEE-kah
do you do (for work, formal)
From 'dedicarse' (to work as). Stress: se de-DI-ca. Use soft 'd's.
Se dedica a la música.
He works in music.
Words in this phrase
se
[seh]
yourself (formal reflexive)
Reflexive pronoun for 'usted', part of 'dedicarse'.
¿Se levanta temprano?
Do you get up early?
dedica
[deh-DEE-kah]
do (for a living)
From 'dedicarse a', to work as or devote oneself to.
Mi madre se dedica a la enseñanza.
My mother works in teaching.
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