Signification
Asking someone about their profession.
Contexte culturel
The 'Posto Fisso' (permanent job) is a cultural obsession. Asking about work often leads to discussions about job security and benefits. In Milan, 'Che lavoro fai?' is often the very first question after 'Come ti chiami?'. Time is money, and networking is key. Conversations are more circular. You might talk about family for 20 minutes before asking 'Che lavoro fai?'. Many young Italians are 'precari' (freelancers/temporary workers). They might answer with 'Mi arrangio' (I get by) or list multiple gigs.
The Article Rule
Always answer with 'Faccio IL' or 'Faccio LA'. Never just 'Faccio medico'.
Formal vs Informal
Don't use 'fai' with people you don't know well who are older than you. Use 'fa'.
Signification
Asking someone about their profession.
The Article Rule
Always answer with 'Faccio IL' or 'Faccio LA'. Never just 'Faccio medico'.
Formal vs Informal
Don't use 'fai' with people you don't know well who are older than you. Use 'fa'.
The 'Occuparsi' Pivot
If you want to sound more professional, use 'Di cosa si occupa?' in business meetings.
Small Talk
Italians love to complain about work. After asking the question, be prepared for a 10-minute rant about the boss!
Teste-toi
Complete the informal question.
Ciao Anna, che lavoro ______?
Since you are talking to 'Anna' (informal), you use the second person singular 'fai'.
Choose the correct formal version of the question.
Asking a professor about their job:
'Fa' is the formal third-person singular form used for 'Lei'.
Match the question to the appropriate context.
Context Matching
Each phrase matches its specific social register and target.
Fill in the missing response.
A: Piacere di conoscerti. Che lavoro fai? B: Piacere mio. ________ l'architetto.
In Italian, the most common way to state your profession is 'Faccio' + article + job.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Common Answers to 'Che lavoro fai?'
Ufficio
- • Impiegato
- • Manager
- • Segretaria
Salute
- • Medico
- • Infermiere
- • Dentista
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesCiao Anna, che lavoro ______?
Since you are talking to 'Anna' (informal), you use the second person singular 'fai'.
Asking a professor about their job:
'Fa' is the formal third-person singular form used for 'Lei'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each phrase matches its specific social register and target.
A: Piacere di conoscerti. Che lavoro fai? B: Piacere mio. ________ l'architetto.
In Italian, the most common way to state your profession is 'Faccio' + article + job.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's perfectly correct, but 'Che lavoro fai?' is more common in spoken Italian.
Not usually, but it's better to exchange names first. In some formal contexts, wait for the other person to bring up work.
Use 'Che lavoro fate?'.
You can say 'Sono uno studente' or 'Studio [subject]'.
'Lavoro' is general. 'Mestiere' usually refers to a manual trade or craft (like a carpenter).
Only if the context is very clear. Otherwise, people will think you are asking what they are doing at that moment.
Qual è il lavoro dei tuoi sogni?
In informal emails, yes. In formal ones, use 'Qual è la Sua occupazione?'.
Use 'il/la'. 'Faccio il medico' is more common than 'Sono un medico'.
Say 'Sono in pensione'.
Expressions liées
Di cosa ti occupi?
similarWhat do you deal with?
Cosa fai nella vita?
similarWhat do you do in life?
Faccio il...
builds onI am a...
Cerco lavoro
relatedI am looking for work
