Meaning
Asking about someone's job or current activity.
Cultural Background
The transition from 'Vykanie' to 'Tykanie' is a significant social milestone. Never assume you can use 'Čo robíš?' until invited. Work ethic is highly valued. Asking 'Čo robíte?' often implies an interest in one's productivity or contribution. In many Slovak offices, people who have worked together for 10 years still use 'Vy' to maintain a professional distance. Older people might use 'Čo porábate?' which is a more traditional, warmer version of 'Čo robíte?'.
The 'Te' Rule
Whenever you see a verb ending in '-te', it's almost certainly the formal or plural 'you' form. It's your safety net for politeness.
Don't be too blunt
Asking 'Čo robíte?' to a stranger without a 'Prepáčte' (Excuse me) can sound like you are policing them. Always soften it.
Meaning
Asking about someone's job or current activity.
The 'Te' Rule
Whenever you see a verb ending in '-te', it's almost certainly the formal or plural 'you' form. It's your safety net for politeness.
Don't be too blunt
Asking 'Čo robíte?' to a stranger without a 'Prepáčte' (Excuse me) can sound like you are policing them. Always soften it.
Job vs. Action
If you want to be clear you are asking about a job, add 'v živote' (in life): 'Čo robíte v živote?'
The Plural Power
Even if you are best friends with everyone in a group, you MUST use 'Čo robíte?' because they are a group. Plurality overrides informality.
Test Yourself
You are talking to your new professor. Which question is correct?
Dobrý deň, pán profesor, _______?
You must use the formal 'robíte' with a professor.
Complete the sentence to ask a group of friends what they are doing.
Ahojte chalani, čo _______?
Even with friends, you use 'robíte' because you are addressing more than one person (plural).
Match the phrase to the correct context.
1. Čo robíš? | 2. Čo robíte?
Informal for family, formal for work.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Čo robíte v Bratislave? B: ________ tu ako čašník.
The answer should be in the 1st person singular ('I work').
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDobrý deň, pán profesor, _______?
You must use the formal 'robíte' with a professor.
Ahojte chalani, čo _______?
Even with friends, you use 'robíte' because you are addressing more than one person (plural).
1. Čo robíš? | 2. Čo robíte?
Informal for family, formal for work.
A: Čo robíte v Bratislave? B: ________ tu ako čašník.
The answer should be in the 1st person singular ('I work').
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo. Use 'Ako sa máte?' or 'Ako sa darí?'. 'Čo robíte?' is specifically about actions or work.
Yes, it is the only correct way to ask your teacher what they are doing.
'Robiť' is more general (do/make), while 'pracovať' specifically means 'to work'. You can ask 'Čo robíte?' to mean 'What is your job?', but 'Kde pracujete?' means 'Where do you work?'.
Answer with 'Ja' + verb: 'Pracujem...', 'Čítam...', 'Nerobím nič' (I'm doing nothing).
Yes. If someone is in the kitchen, 'Čo robíte?' means 'What are you making/cooking?'.
No, it is the same whether you are talking to a man, a woman, or a mixed group.
It's a sign of respect called 'Vykanie', similar to 'Vous' in French or 'Sie' in German.
Not if you start with 'Prepáčte' (Excuse me). Without it, it can sound a bit intrusive.
Apologize immediately: 'Prepáčte, chcel som povedať: Čo robíte?'. Most will understand you are a learner.
Yes, 'Čo riešiš?' (What are you solving/dealing with?) is common among young people, but it's very informal.
Yes, it's common in professional emails when asking about the status of a task.
It can, but usually you'd add 'vo voľnom čase' (in free time) to be specific.
Related Phrases
Čo robíš?
similarWhat are you doing? (informal)
Čomu sa venujete?
specialized formWhat do you devote yourself to?
Čo sa deje?
similarWhat's happening?
Ako sa máte?
similarHow are you?
Čo tu hľadáte?
contrastWhat are you looking for here?
