A1 Expression フォーマル

Was machen Sie?

What are you doing?

意味

Asking about someone's current activity.

🌍

文化的背景

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'.

意味

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.

自分をテスト

Complete the formal question.

Was ______ Sie heute im Büro?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: machen

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:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Was machen Sie?

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?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 1-B, 2-A

Doctors are addressed formally; children are addressed informally.

Fill in the missing word.

A: Was machen Sie ______? B: Ich bin Lehrer.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: beruflich

The answer 'Ich bin Lehrer' (I am a teacher) indicates the question was about their profession.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formal vs. Informal

Formal (Sie)
Was machen Sie? What are you doing?
Informal (du)
Was machst du? What are you doing?

When to use 'Sie'

💼

Professional

  • Boss
  • Colleagues
  • Clients
🏙️

Public

  • Police
  • Doctors
  • Strangers

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Complete the formal question. Fill Blank A1

Was ______ Sie heute im Büro?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: machen

The formal pronoun 'Sie' always requires the verb ending '-en'.

Which phrase is appropriate for your boss? Choose A1

You see your boss in the hallway. You ask:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Was machen Sie?

In a professional setting with a superior, the formal 'Sie' is mandatory.

Match the question to the context. Match A1

左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 1-B, 2-A

Doctors are addressed formally; children are addressed informally.

Fill in the missing word. dialogue_completion A2

A: Was machen Sie ______? B: Ich bin Lehrer.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: beruflich

The answer 'Ich bin Lehrer' (I am a teacher) indicates the question was about their profession.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

6 問

Yes, 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?'.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Was machst du?

similar

What are you doing? (Informal)

🔗

Was arbeiten Sie?

specialized form

What do you work (at)?

🔄

Was tun Sie?

synonym

What are you doing?

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