#191 Asking About Someone’s Job｜French Daily Life Phrases

In first-time conversations or international social settings, you will often find yourself asking about the other person’s job. Talking about work can be a useful way for you to learn about someone’s lifestyle, interests, and values.

However, because employment can also be a somewhat personal topic, it is important that you use polite introductory phrases and carefully worded questions.

In this section, I will explain useful French expressions that you can use when asking about someone’s job.

Dialogue

A

Si ce n’est pas indiscret, vous travaillez dans quel domaine ?
（If you don’t mind my asking, what field do you work in?）

B

Je travaille dans le secteur de l’informatique.
（I work in the IT sector.）

A

Je vois. Pourrais-je vous demander quel est exactement votre rôle ?
（I see. May I ask what your role is exactly?）

B

Je suis chef de projet dans une entreprise de logiciels.
（I am a project manager at a software company.）

A

Cela doit être un travail assez exigeant.
（That must be quite a demanding job.）

B

Oui, mais c’est aussi très stimulant.
（Yes, but it is also very rewarding.）

A

Merci de m’en avoir parlé.
（Thank you for telling me about it.）

1. Using a Softening Phrase Before Introducing the Topic

When you want to ask about someone’s job, I recommend that you avoid asking too directly. Instead, you can begin with a softening phrase.

Structurally, this expression uses “si” (if), followed by a present-tense negative form, to introduce a conditional idea meaning “if this is not too personal.”

Here, “ce” refers broadly to the question you are about to ask, while “indiscret” means “indiscreet” or “intrusive.” The phrase therefore shows consideration for whether your question might feel too personal.

2. Asking About Someone’s Field of Work

When you ask about someone’s profession, I recommend starting by asking about their field, rather than their exact job title.

This approach is often more comfortable for the other person because broad categories such as IT, education, or healthcare are easier to answer than specific job titles.

The preposition “dans” literally means “in,” but when used with abstract nouns, it conveys the meaning of “within a field” or “in a professional area.”

Although “domaine” and “secteur” both mean “field” or “sector,” they carry slightly different nuances.

In everyday conversations, you will hear “domaine” more often, while “secteur” is common in formal or business contexts.

3. Asking About Specific Responsibilities

After the other person mentions their field, you can deepen the conversation by asking about their specific role.

To sound polite and respectful, I recommend using the conditional form.

The form “pourrais-je” comes from the verb “pouvoir” in the present conditional and expresses a polite, indirect request. The phrase is followed by an indirect question structure: “demander + quel est…”

You can also make it easier for the other person to answer by offering options.

Here, “plutôt” softens the question by implying “which area do you lean toward?”

4. Showing Interest Through Reactions

After someone explains their job, I encourage you to respond with a brief reaction. This helps show that you are interested in what they have shared.

The verb “doit” (from “devoir”) does not express obligation here. Instead, it expresses probability or inference, meaning “must be” or “is probably.”

The structure “devoir + infinitive” is commonly used in French to show a thoughtful assumption or empathetic understanding.

These expressions are often used to convey understanding and empathy in conversation.

Summary