KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
무슨 일 하세요?
mu·seun il ha·se·yo
museun il haseyo?
What do you do for work?
Cultural Insight
In Korea, asking about someone’s job is considered normal and not intrusive. It’s part of establishing social hierarchy and register. Koreans may ask 어디 다니세요? (Where do you work/attend?) as a way of gauging status.
Phrase Breakdown
무슨 일
museun il
what kind of work
무슨 (what kind of) + 일 (work/thing)
하세요?
haseyo?
do you do? (honorific)
하다 (do) + -세요? = honorific question
Politely asks about someone’s job or professional role.
Example Phrases
요즘 무슨 일 하세요?
Yojeum museun il haseyo?
What kind of work are you doing these days?
요즘 = these days; adds casual recency.
저는 선생님이에요. 무슨 일 하세요?
Jeoneun seonsaengnimieyo. Museun il haseyo?
I’m a teacher. What do you do?
선생님 = teacher (honorific form).
어떤 회사에서 일하세요?
Eotteon hoesaeseo ilhaseyo?
What company do you work for?
-에서 일하다 = to work at (a place).
Related Phrases
직업이 뭐예요?
jigeopi mwoyeyo?
What is your occupation?
More direct question about one’s job title.
어디서 일해요?
eodiseo ilhaeyo?
Where do you work?
Asking about the workplace location.
바쁘세요?
bappeuseyo?
Are you busy?
Checking if someone is occupied.
Quick Review
여기서 얼마나 멀어요?
Can you recall what this means?
yeogiseo eolmana meoreoyo?
How far is it from here?