How do I ask about someone's job or occupation in Japanese
日本語学習者のための日常生活に欠かせない質問: How do I ask about someone's job or occupation in Japanese
To ask about someone’s job or occupation in Japanese, common polite questions include:
-
お仕事は何ですか？ (O-shigoto wa nan desu ka?)
Meaning: “What is your job?” or “What do you do for work?” -
ご職業は何ですか？ (Go-shokugyō wa nan desu ka?)
Meaning: “What is your occupation?” -
あなたは何の仕事をしていますか？ (Anata wa nan no shigoto o shiteimasu ka?)
Meaning: “What kind of work do you do?”
When answering, you can say:
- 私は[occupation]です。 (Watashi wa [occupation] desu.)
Meaning: “I am a [occupation].”
For example:
- 私は先生です。 (Watashi wa sensei desu.) — “I am a teacher.”
- 私は会社員です。 (Watashi wa kaishain desu.) — “I am a company employee.”
These phrases are polite and commonly used when inquiring about someone’s job or stating your own in Japanese conversations.