German Phrase
Was machst du beruflich?
Meaning
Literally, “What do you do professionally?” It is the everyday way to ask someone about their occupation or what they do for a living. The question is informal because it uses the du‑form.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversations, networking events, or when you meet someone for the first time and want to learn about their job. It’s friendly and less formal than “Was ist Ihr Beruf?” which would be used with strangers you address formally.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wasmachstduberuflich?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in a question; it stays unchanged regardless of case.
machst (2nd person singular present)
Conjugation of the verb 'machen' (to do) for 'du'. The ending -st marks the informal 'you'.
du (personal pronoun)
Informal singular 'you'. In questions it normally follows the verb in German main clauses.
beruflich (adverbial adjective)
Means 'professionally' or 'in terms of work'. It modifies the verb and does not need a preposition.
Verb‑Second (V2) word order
In German main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position; the interrogative 'Was' counts as the first.
🗨In Conversation
Hallo Anna, wir haben uns noch nie getroffen – was machst du beruflich?
Hi Anna, we’ve never met – what do you do for a living?
Ich arbeite als Grafikdesignerin in einer Werbeagentur.
I work as a graphic designer at an advertising agency.
✕Common Mistakes
Was machst du in Beruf?
‘Beruflich’ already means ‘professionally’; you don’t need the preposition ‘in’. The correct phrase is ‘Was machst du beruflich?’
Was machst du beruflich?
When using the formal ‘Sie’, the verb must agree: ‘Was machen Sie beruflich?’
↔Alternatives
Was ist dein Beruf?
What is your profession?
Was arbeitest du?
What do you work as?
Womit verdienst du dein Geld?
What do you earn your money with?
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries it’s common to ask about a person’s job early in a conversation, but keep the tone light. If you’re speaking with someone you don’t know well, you might prefer the more neutral “Was ist Ihr Beruf?” (formal ‘you’) to show respect. Also, avoid probing too deeply about salary or job status unless the other person brings it up.