Signification
Asking about someone's current activity.
Contexte culturel
The 'Sie' form is used to maintain 'Distanz'. It is not unfriendly; it is a sign of respect for the other person's private sphere. Austrians may use titles (like 'Herr Doktor') along with 'Was machen Sie?' even more frequently than Germans to show extra respect. In Swiss German, the formal address is also standard in shops and with strangers, though the dialect version sounds like 'Was mached Sie?'
The 'Beruflich' Trick
If you want to ask about someone's job, always add 'beruflich' to avoid confusion with what they are doing right now.
Capitalization Matters
Always capitalize 'Sie' in writing. If you write 'sie', it means 'they' or 'she'.
Signification
Asking about someone's current activity.
The 'Beruflich' Trick
If you want to ask about someone's job, always add 'beruflich' to avoid confusion with what they are doing right now.
Capitalization Matters
Always capitalize 'Sie' in writing. If you write 'sie', it means 'they' or 'she'.
Wait for the Invitation
Don't switch to 'du' until the older or more senior person offers it.
Teste-toi
Complete the formal question.
Was ______ Sie heute im Büro?
The formal pronoun 'Sie' always requires the verb ending '-en'.
Which phrase is appropriate for your boss?
You see your boss in the hallway. You ask:
In a professional setting with a superior, the formal 'Sie' is mandatory.
Match the question to the context.
1. Was machen Sie? | 2. Was machst du?
Doctors are addressed formally; children are addressed informally.
Fill in the missing word.
A: Was machen Sie ______? B: Ich bin Lehrer.
The answer 'Ich bin Lehrer' (I am a teacher) indicates the question was about their profession.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs. Informal
When to use 'Sie'
Professional
- • Boss
- • Colleagues
- • Clients
Public
- • Police
- • Doctors
- • Strangers
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWas ______ Sie heute im Büro?
The formal pronoun 'Sie' always requires the verb ending '-en'.
You see your boss in the hallway. You ask:
In a professional setting with a superior, the formal 'Sie' is mandatory.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Doctors are addressed formally; children are addressed informally.
A: Was machen Sie ______? B: Ich bin Lehrer.
The answer 'Ich bin Lehrer' (I am a teacher) indicates the question was about their profession.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
6 questionsYes, it is very common in social settings, though adding 'beruflich' makes it clearer.
'Machen' is for general activities and creating things. 'Tun' is more abstract or used in specific idioms.
It can be, depending on your tone. It might sound like 'What are you doing here (you shouldn't be here)?'.
Usually with 'Ich' + verb. E.g., 'Ich lese ein Buch' or 'Ich arbeite als Arzt'.
Yes, but the verb conjugation is different. 'Was macht sie?' (What is she doing?) vs 'Was machen Sie?' (What are you doing?).
Usually, the shopkeeper asks you: 'Was kann ich für Sie tun?'. You wouldn't typically ask the shopkeeper 'Was machen Sie?'.
Expressions liées
Was machst du?
similarWhat are you doing? (Informal)
Was arbeiten Sie?
specialized formWhat do you work (at)?
Was tun Sie?
synonymWhat are you doing?
