How do you say "What do you do for work?" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use しごとはなんですか (shigoto wa nan desu ka) when you want to ask what someone does for work.

Chunk or pattern

• Reusable pattern: 〜 は / なん ですか
• In this phrase, しごと is the topic.
• For a softer version, おしごとはなんですか is also common.

Core words

• しごと: work or job.
• なん: what.

Helper words and endings

• は: marks the topic.
• ですか: makes it a polite question.

Practical note

This is common small talk, but it can feel direct in a casual first meeting. If the conversation is already about work or daily life, it feels more natural.