Signification
Asking about someone's job.
Contexte culturel
Work-life balance is extremely important. While Danes ask about work, they rarely let it define their social status. In Greenlandic-Danish contexts, work often relates to nature or public service, and the question is asked with great respect for the community role. The 'Law of Jante' (Janteloven) discourages bragging about one's job title. It's better to be humble. International workers often find this question to be the primary way to break into Danish social circles.
Keep it simple
You don't need a fancy title. 'Jeg arbejder med IT' or 'Jeg er studerende' is perfect.
The 'Med' Trap
Don't forget the 'med' at the end. Without it, the sentence sounds like 'What work you?'
Signification
Asking about someone's job.
Keep it simple
You don't need a fancy title. 'Jeg arbejder med IT' or 'Jeg er studerende' is perfect.
The 'Med' Trap
Don't forget the 'med' at the end. Without it, the sentence sounds like 'What work you?'
Add 'til daglig'
Adding 'til daglig' (on a daily basis) makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the question.
Hvad arbejder du ______?
The standard phrase always ends with the preposition 'med'.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask someone about their job at a party?
Vælg den bedste sætning:
This is the most common and polite neutral form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hej! Jeg hedder Peter. B: Hej Peter. Jeg er Maria. Hvad arbejder du med? A: Jeg arbejder ______ IT.
You can say 'med IT' to describe your field.
Match the phrase to the context.
Hvad beskæftiger De Dem med?
This is the formal version of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHvad arbejder du ______?
The standard phrase always ends with the preposition 'med'.
Vælg den bedste sætning:
This is the most common and polite neutral form.
A: Hej! Jeg hedder Peter. B: Hej Peter. Jeg er Maria. Hvad arbejder du med? A: Jeg arbejder ______ IT.
You can say 'med IT' to describe your field.
Hvad beskæftiger De Dem med?
This is the formal version of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's a very standard icebreaker in Denmark, usually following 'What is your name?'.
You can, but it sounds like you are filling out a police report. Stick to 'Hvad arbejder du med?'.
You can say 'Jeg leder efter arbejde lige nu' (I am looking for work right now).
Say 'Jeg læser [subject]' or 'Jeg er studerende'.
In this specific question, yes. In the answer, it comes before the field: 'Jeg arbejder med...'
It's more informal. Use it with people your own age in casual settings.
No, for that use 'Hvad laver du i din fritid?'.
It's a soft 'd', which sounds like a very light 'th'.
Only if you are talking to the Queen. Otherwise, use 'du'.
'Job' is the position; 'arbejde' is the activity. They are often interchangeable.
Expressions liées
Hvad laver du?
similarWhat do you do?
Jeg er...
builds onI am...
Hvor arbejder du?
similarWhere do you work?
Hvad er din stilling?
specialized formWhat is your position?
