What Do You Do For A Living In Hindi? Meaning & Usage

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to ask someone what they do for a living in Hindi? It's a super common question, whether you're making new friends, networking, or just being curious. So, let's dive into the various ways you can ask "What do you do for a living?" in Hindi, along with their meanings, usage, and some helpful examples.

Different Ways to Ask "What Do You Do For a Living?" in Hindi

There are several ways to ask this question in Hindi, each with its own nuance and level of formality. Here are some of the most common and useful phrases:

1. "Aap kya karte hain?" (आप क्या करते हैं?)

This is probably the most common and widely understood way to ask "What do you do?" in Hindi. It's versatile and can be used in most situations, whether formal or informal. Let's break it down:

• Aap (आप): This means "you" and is a respectful way to address someone. It's generally used when speaking to elders, people you don't know well, or in formal settings.
• Kya (क्या): This means "what."
• Karte (करते): This means "do."
• Hain (हैं): This is a helping verb that indicates the present tense and respect.

So, when you put it all together, "Aap kya karte hain?" directly translates to "What do you do?" but implies "What do you do for work?" or "What is your profession?"

Usage:

This phrase is perfect for initiating conversations in professional settings, meeting someone new at a party, or even talking to a neighbor you don't know well. Its polite tone makes it suitable for a wide range of interactions. For example, if you're at a conference and meet someone new, you might say, "Namaste! Main [Your Name] hoon. Aap kya karte hain?" (Hello! I am [Your Name]. What do you do?). Similarly, if you are meeting your friend's parents for the first time, starting the conversation with "Aap kya karte hain?" is a respectful way to learn about them.

Example:

• You: Namaste! Main Rohan hoon. Aap kya karte hain? (Hello! I am Rohan. What do you do?)
• Them: Namaste! Main ek adhyaapak hoon. (Hello! I am a teacher.)

2. "Aap kya kaam karte hain?" (आप क्या काम करते हैं?)

This is another common way to ask about someone's profession, and it's quite similar to the first one. The main difference is the inclusion of the word "kaam," which means "work." Let's break it down:

• Aap (आप): As before, this means "you" (respectful).
• Kya (क्या): This means "what."
• Kaam (काम): This means "work" or "job."
• Karte (करते): This means "do."
• Hain (हैं): This is a helping verb (present tense, respectful).

So, "Aap kya kaam karte hain?" translates more directly to "What work do you do?" or "What job do you do?"

Usage:

This phrase is also quite versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. The addition of "kaam" makes it a bit more specific about the work aspect of their life. You might use this when you want to emphasize the professional or occupational aspect. For instance, if you are at a business event, this phrase is highly appropriate. Imagine you are at a networking event; you could approach someone and ask, "Aap kya kaam karte hain?" to get straight to the point about their profession.

Example:

• You: Hello, I’m Priya. Aap kya kaam karte hain? (Hello, I’m Priya. What work do you do?)
• Them: Main ek software engineer hoon. (I am a software engineer.)

3. "Aap kya karte ho?" (आप क्या करते हो?)

This phrase is similar to "Aap kya karte hain?" but uses a less formal version of "you" and the helping verb. It's suitable for speaking to friends, younger people, or in more casual environments. Let's see the breakdown:

• Aap (आप): In this context, it's still "you" but used in a slightly less formal way.
• Kya (क्या): This means "what."
• Karte (करते): This means "do."
• Ho (हो): This is a helping verb, less formal than "hain."

So, "Aap kya karte ho?" still translates to "What do you do?" but is more relaxed.

Usage:

Use this phrase when you are talking to someone you are comfortable with, like a friend or a younger colleague. It’s perfect for casual conversations where you don’t need to maintain a high level of formality. For example, if you are chatting with a friend you haven't seen in a while, you might ask, "Aur batao, aap kya karte ho aaj kal?" (So tell me, what do you do these days?). This helps keep the tone friendly and informal.

Example:

• You: Hi Rahul! Aap kya karte ho? (Hi Rahul! What do you do?)
• Them: Main ek graphic designer hoon. (I am a graphic designer.)

4. "Tum kya karte ho?" (तुम क्या करते हो?)

This is an informal way to ask the question, using the informal "you" (tum). It's suitable for close friends, family members, or people you know very well. Using "tum" with strangers or elders can be considered disrespectful, so be cautious.

• Tum (तुम): This means "you" (informal).
• Kya (क्या): This means "what."
• Karte (करते): This means "do."
• Ho (हो): This is a helping verb (informal).

Usage:

Reserve this phrase for people you are very close to. It’s ideal for catching up with siblings or childhood friends. For instance, if you're talking to your younger brother, you could ask, "Tum kya karte ho aaj kal?" to find out what he's been up to professionally. Using this phrase in a casual setting makes the conversation more personal and relaxed.

Example:

• You: Hey Priya, tum kya karte ho? (Hey Priya, what do you do?)
• Them: Main ek nurse hoon. (I am a nurse.)

5. "Tera kya kaam hai?" (तेरा क्या काम है?)

This is a very informal and direct way to ask about someone's work. It's best used among very close friends or family members. The word "tera" means "yours" and is quite informal.

• Tera (तेरा): This means "yours" (very informal).
• Kya (क्या): This means "what."
• Kaam (काम): This means "work."
• Hai (है): This is a helping verb (informal).

Usage:

Only use this phrase with people you have a very close relationship with. It's suitable for close friends, siblings, or spouses in informal settings. For example, if you’re talking to your best friend, you could casually ask, "Tera kya kaam hai?" to get a quick update on their job. Be mindful of your audience, as this phrase can come off as too direct if used with someone you don't know well.

Example:

• You: Yaar, tera kya kaam hai? (Dude, what's your work?)
• Them: Main ek web developer hoon. (I am a web developer.)

Responding to "What Do You Do For A Living?"

Now that you know how to ask the question, it's equally important to know how to respond. Here are some common ways to answer, depending on your profession:

1. "Main [profession] hoon." (मैं [profession] हूँ।)

This is the most straightforward way to state your profession. Just replace "[profession]" with your actual job title.

• Main (मैं): This means "I."
• [Profession]: Your job title (e.g., teacher, engineer, doctor).
• Hoon (हूँ): This is a helping verb that means "am."

Examples:

• Main ek adhyaapak hoon. (I am a teacher.)
• Main ek software engineer hoon. (I am a software engineer.)
• Main ek doctor hoon. (I am a doctor.)
• Main ek lekhak hoon. (I am a writer.)

2. "Main [company name] mein [job title] hoon." (मैं [company name] में [job title] हूँ।)

This response includes both your company name and job title, providing more context.

• Main (मैं): This means "I."
• [Company Name]: The name of your company.
• Mein (में): This means "in."
• [Job Title]: Your specific job title.
• Hoon (हूँ): This means "am."

Examples:

• Main Google mein software engineer hoon. (I am a software engineer at Google.)
• Main TCS mein project manager hoon. (I am a project manager at TCS.)
• Main Infosys mein consultant hoon. (I am a consultant at Infosys.)

3. "Main [field] mein kaam karta/karti hoon." (मैं [field] में काम करता/करती हूँ।)

Use this if you want to describe the field you work in rather than a specific job title. The word "karta" is for males, and "karti" is for females.

• Main (मैं): This means "I."
• [Field]: The field you work in (e.g., education, technology, healthcare).
• Mein (में): This means "in."
• Kaam karta hoon (काम करता हूँ): "I work" (for males).
• Kaam karti hoon (काम करती हूँ): "I work" (for females).

Examples:

• Main technology mein kaam karta hoon. (I work in technology.)
• Main education mein kaam karti hoon. (I work in education.)
• Main healthcare mein kaam karta hoon. (I work in healthcare.)

Some Extra Tips

• Be mindful of your tone: Always be polite and respectful, especially when speaking to elders or people you don't know well.
• Listen carefully: Pay attention to how others respond and adjust your language accordingly.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you use these phrases, the more comfortable you'll become.
• Cultural sensitivity: Be aware of cultural norms. In some contexts, it might be more appropriate to wait for someone to ask you about your profession rather than initiating the question yourself.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Now you're equipped with multiple ways to ask "What do you do for a living?" in Hindi. Whether you choose the formal "Aap kya karte hain?" or the informal "Tum kya karte ho?", remember to be mindful of your audience and the context. Happy chatting, and good luck making new connections! By understanding these nuances, you’ll navigate conversations about professions with ease and respect, deepening your connections and understanding in Hindi-speaking environments. Keep practicing these phrases, and you'll become more confident and fluent in no time!