what do you do?

This page is about the conversational phrase what do you do?

Meaning

You can use this to ask someone what sort of work or study they do.

For example

  • "What do you do, Alice?"
    "I'm a carpenter. We build farm houses, stables, sheds, that sort of thing."

  • "And what do you do, Matt?"
    "I work for EnglishClub. I write vocab lessons and quizzes, mostly."

Note:
Also "What do you do for a living?"

Quick Quiz

"What do you do, Theo?"

a. "I'm a musician."

b. "I'm listening to music."

c. "I like music and meeting people."
a) "I'm a musician." b) "I'm listening to music." c) "I like music and meeting people."

Contributor: Matt Errey