What do you do for work?
in Spanish¿A qué te dedicas?
/ah kay tay day-DEE-kahs/
This is the most common, natural, and versatile way to ask someone what they do for a living. It literally means 'What do you dedicate yourself to?', so it can cover jobs, studies, or other main life activities.
Asking someone what they do for work is a great way to start a conversation, just like when you're getting to know someone over coffee.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿En qué trabajas?
/en kay trah-BAH-hahs/
A very common and slightly more direct alternative. It translates literally to 'What do you work in?' and focuses specifically on employment.
¿Qué haces?
/kay AH-says/
A short, casual way of asking. While it can mean 'What are you doing?', in the context of getting to know someone, it's understood as 'What do you do (for a living)?'
¿A qué se dedica usted?
/ah kay say day-DEE-kah oos-TED/
This is the formal version of the primary translation, used with 'usted'. It's essential for showing respect to older people, superiors, or anyone in a formal setting.
¿Cuál es tu profesión?
/kwahl es too pro-feh-SYOHN/
This translates to 'What is your profession?' It sounds a little more formal and is best for asking about careers that require specific training or a degree, like a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.
¿De qué vives?
/day kay VEE-vays/
Literally 'What do you live off of?', this is a very blunt and informal question. It can sometimes sound a bit nosy or even rude depending on the tone and relationship.
¿De qué trabajás?
/day kay trah-bah-HAHS/
This is the 'vos' version of '¿En qué trabajas?', common in countries that use 'voseo'. 'Vos' is an alternative to 'tú' for 'you'.
¿De qué laburás?
/day kay lah-boo-RAHS/
A very common slang expression in the Rioplatense Spanish of Argentina and Uruguay. 'Laburar' is a colloquial term for 'to work', coming from the Italian word 'lavorare'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to ask about someone's work depends on the situation. Here’s a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿A qué te dedicas? | Neutral | Almost any situation; it's your safest, most natural choice. | In very formal settings where 'usted' is required (use '¿A qué se dedica usted?' instead). |
| ¿En qué trabajas? | Neutral | Specifically asking about a job in a casual or professional context. | The person might not have a traditional job (e.g., they are a student or retired). |
| ¿Cuál es tu profesión? | Slightly Formal | Networking events or when talking about careers requiring a degree. | Very casual chats, as it can sound a bit stiff. |
| ¿De qué vives? | Very Informal | Joking with very close friends who won't be offended. | Meeting anyone for the first time; it can sound rude or intrusive. |
📈Difficulty Level
The sounds are straightforward for English speakers. The main challenge is linking the words smoothly, like 'kay-tay-day-DEE-kahs'.
It uses a reflexive verb ('dedicarse'), which might be a new concept for beginners. You have to remember to change 'te' to 'se' for the formal 'usted'.
The main nuance is choosing the correct formality ('tú' vs. 'usted'). Using the wrong one is a common beginner mistake.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use the reflexive pronoun 'te' or 'se'.
- Choosing between the informal 'tú' and formal 'usted' versions.
- Avoiding the literal English translation.
💡Examples in Action
Mucho gusto, soy Ana. ¿Y tú, a qué te dedicas?
Nice to meet you, I'm Ana. And you, what do you do?
Mi nombre es Carlos Pérez. Es un placer. Disculpe, ¿a qué se dedica usted?
My name is Carlos Pérez. It's a pleasure. Excuse me, what do you do for a living?
Así que eres de Colombia, ¡qué chévere! Oye, ¿y en qué trabajas?
So you're from Colombia, how cool! Hey, and what do you do for work?
Veo que tienes un estudio de arte en casa. ¿Cuál es tu profesión exactamente? ¿Eres pintora?
I see you have an art studio at home. What is your profession exactly? Are you a painter?
🌍Cultural Context
Work as Small Talk
Just like in many English-speaking cultures, asking about someone's job is a very standard and acceptable part of small talk in the Spanish-speaking world. It's a safe and common way to get to know someone new, so don't feel shy about asking.
The Concept of 'Dedicarse'
The phrase '¿A qué te dedicas?' is popular because it's broader than just a job. Someone could respond that they are a student ('Soy estudiante'), a stay-at-home parent ('Me dedico a mi familia'), or retired. It's about what you 'dedicate' your life to, which is a slightly different and often warmer concept than just 'work'.
Work-Life Balance
While asking about work is common, be aware that in many Spanish-speaking cultures, there's a strong emphasis on life outside of work. After a brief discussion about jobs, conversations often shift more quickly to family, hobbies, and social life.
Formality is Key
The distinction between 'tú' (informal 'you') and 'usted' (formal 'you') is crucial. Using the wrong one can be a social misstep. When in doubt, start with the formal '¿A qué se dedica usted?'. It's always safer to be too formal than too casual.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Awkward Direct Translation
Mistake: "Learners often translate directly from English and say, '¿Qué haces para trabajo?' or '¿Cuál es tu trabajo?'"
Correction: ¿A qué te dedicas? / ¿En qué trabajas?
Forgetting the 'a'
Mistake: "Saying '¿Qué te dedicas?' instead of '¿A qué te dedicas?'"
Correction: ¿A qué te dedicas?
Mixing Up Formality
Mistake: "Asking an elderly person or your new boss, '¿A qué te dedicas?'"
Correction: ¿A qué se dedica usted?
💡Pro Tips
Your Go-To Phrase
When you're not sure which phrase to use, make '¿A qué te dedicas?' your default. It's polite, universally understood, and appropriate for almost any situation with peers.
How to Answer
The easiest way to answer this question is with 'Soy...' (I am...) followed by your profession (e.g., 'Soy profesor' - I'm a teacher). You can also say 'Trabajo en...' (I work in...) followed by the field (e.g., 'Trabajo en marketing').
Keep the Conversation Going
After they answer, show interest by saying '¡Qué interesante!' (How interesting!) or '¡Ah, qué bien!' (Oh, that's great!). Then, you can ask them back with a simple '¿Y tú?' (And you?).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The 'vosotros' form, '¿A qué os dedicáis?', would be used when asking a group of friends. The use of 'currar' as slang for work is very common in informal contexts.
Mexico
'¿A qué te dedicas?' is overwhelmingly the most common and polite phrase. 'Chamba' is very popular slang for 'work' or 'gig' and is used informally among friends.
Argentina & Uruguay
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is the most defining feature. The slang verb 'laburar' (from Italian 'lavorare') is extremely common, more so than 'chamba' in Mexico or 'currar' in Spain.
💬What Comes Next?
After they tell you their profession
Soy ingeniero.
I'm an engineer.
¡Qué interesante! ¿Y te gusta?
How interesting! And do you like it?
They ask you the same question back
¿Y tú?
And you?
Yo soy diseñadora gráfica. Trabajo para una pequeña empresa.
I'm a graphic designer. I work for a small company.
You want to know more details
Trabajo en ventas.
I work in sales.
Ah, ¿sí? ¿Y dónde trabajas?
Oh, really? And where do you work?
🧠Memory Tricks
This connection makes the phrase easier to recall and also helps you remember its slightly broader, more personal meaning compared to just asking about work.
🔄How It Differs from English
The most common Spanish phrase, '¿A qué te dedicas?', is conceptually broader than the English 'What do you do for work?'. It asks what you 'dedicate' yourself to, which can include studies or family life, not just paid employment. This reflects a slightly less work-centric approach to identity in conversation compared to some English-speaking cultures.
Spanish tends to be slightly less direct in this initial social question. While 'What do you do?' is perfectly normal in English, the Spanish equivalent '¿Qué haces?' can be ambiguous. The preferred phrases '¿A qué te dedicas?' or '¿En qué trabajas?' soften the question slightly.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this directly to '¿Cuál es tu trabajo?' is grammatically correct but sounds very blunt and is not a common way to start a conversation. It's more like a question you'd see on a form.
Use instead: Use '¿A qué te dedicas?' or '¿En qué trabajas?' for a more natural and polite conversational opening.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I am a...'
This is the most direct way to answer the question about your profession.
Where do you work?
A natural follow-up question after someone tells you what they do.
Do you like your job?
This helps you continue the conversation and show personal interest.
How to say 'And you?'
An essential phrase for turning the question back to the other person.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What do you do for work?
Question 1 of 3
You are at a professional conference and meet a potential client who is older than you. How should you ask what they do?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¿A qué te dedicas?' and '¿En qué trabajas?'
They are very similar and often interchangeable. '¿A qué te dedicas?' is slightly broader and can be answered with 'I'm a student,' while '¿En qué trabajas?' focuses specifically on employment. But in 9 out of 10 casual conversations, you can use either one without any issue.
How do I answer if I'm a student or unemployed?
'¿A qué te dedicas?' is perfect for this! You can simply say 'Soy estudiante' (I'm a student). If you're looking for work, you could say 'Estoy buscando trabajo' (I'm looking for work).
Is it ever considered rude to ask someone what they do for work?
Generally, no. It's a very standard small-talk question. However, like in English, it's best to read the situation. If you're in a very relaxed social setting completely unrelated to work, you might start with other topics like hobbies or travel first.
How do I ask this to a group of people?
In most of Latin America, you would still address the group using the 'ustedes' form, which looks the same as the singular formal: '¿A qué se dedican (ustedes)?'. In Spain, you would use the 'vosotros' form for an informal group: '¿A qué os dedicáis?'
Why do some people say '¿A qué te dedicás?' with a stress at the end?
That's the 'voseo' form, used in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. They use 'vos' instead of 'tú', and the verb endings change slightly, often moving the stress to the final syllable. It's just a regional way of saying the same thing.
Can I just say '¿Cuál es tu trabajo?'
You can, and people will understand you, but it sounds very direct and a bit unnatural, like you're reading from a script. It's much more common and sounds more fluent to use '¿A qué te dedicas?' or '¿En qué trabajas?' in a conversation.
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