English · People & family
Aap kya kaam karte hain? in English: What do you do? (आप क्या काम करते हैं?)
What do you do?
Hindi (Devanagari)
आप क्या काम करते हैं?
Hindi (English letters)
aap kya kaam karte hain?
आप क्या काम करते हैं? (aap kya kaam karte hain?) can be expressed as “What do you do?” in English. This question often asks about someone's job. “What are you doing?” asks about their current activity. Choose the tense for the question you mean.
“aap kya kaam karte hain?” kehna ho, to English mein “What do you do?” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Networking event
For introductions — what do you do?
परिचय के लिए, आप क्या काम करते हैं?
parichay ke liye, aap kya kaam karte hain?
How to pronounce “What do you do?”
Say it in English
wuht doo yoo doo
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
What do you do?: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| What do you do? | आप क्या काम करते हैं? aap kya kaam karte hain? This question often asks about someone's job. “What are you doing?” asks about their current activity. Choose the tense for the question you mean. | This question often asks about someone's job. “What are you doing?” asks about their current activity. Choose the tense for the question you mean. |
| For introductions — what do you do? | परिचय के लिए, आप क्या काम करते हैं? parichay ke liye, aap kya kaam karte hain? Networking event | Networking event |
| If you don't mind — what do you do? | अगर बुरा न मानें, आप क्या काम करते हैं? agar bura na maanen, aap kya kaam karte hain? Train neighbor | Train neighbor |
Use “What do you do?” as a complete expression. The three examples show how the same speaking goal fits different situations.
Keep the English word order. A Hindi sentence and its natural English version may use different helping verbs or a different order, so translating each word separately can change the meaning.
How to use “What do you do?” in English sentences
1. Networking event
For introductions — what do you do?
परिचय के लिए, आप क्या काम करते हैं?
parichay ke liye, aap kya kaam karte hain?
2. Train neighbor
If you don't mind — what do you do?
अगर बुरा न मानें, आप क्या काम करते हैं?
agar bura na maanen, aap kya kaam karte hain?
3. Family friend
Tell me — what do you do these days?
बताइए, आप क्या काम करते हैं आजकल?
bataaiye, aap kya kaam karte hain aajkal?
Common mistakes with “What do you do?”
Instead of
For introductions — what you do do?
Say this
For introductions — what do you do?
In this direct question, the helping verb comes before the subject. Keep the question order shown in the corrected line.
Instead of
If you don't mind — what you do do?
Say this
If you don't mind — what do you do?
In this direct question, the helping verb comes before the subject. Keep the question order shown in the corrected line.
Meeting at a wedding
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
What do you do?
Show Hindi meaning
आप क्या काम करते हैं?
aap kya kaam karte hain?
You
I'm a designer — what do you do?
Show Hindi meaning
मैं डिज़ाइनर हूँ — आप क्या काम करते हैं?
main designer hoon — aap kya kaam karte hain?
Partner
I teach at a school.
Show Hindi meaning
मैं स्कूल में पढ़ाता हूँ।
main school men padhaata hoon.
You
Nice asking what you do.
Show Hindi meaning
अच्छा लगा पूछकर आप क्या काम करते हैं।
achha laga poochhkar aap kya kaam karte hain.
Your turn: use “What do you do?”
Say this in English: अगर बुरा न मानें, आप क्या काम करते हैं? (agar bura na maanen, aap kya kaam karte hain?)
Reveal sample answer
If you don't mind — what do you do?
अगर बुरा न मानें, आप क्या काम करते हैं?
agar bura na maanen, aap kya kaam karte hain?
Compare your word order with “If you don't mind — what do you do?” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “What do you do?” in English
Aap kya kaam karte hain? ko English mein kya kehte hain?
आप क्या काम करते हैं? (aap kya kaam karte hain?) can be expressed as “What do you do?” in English. This question often asks about someone's job. “What are you doing?” asks about their current activity. Choose the tense for the question you mean.
What does “What do you do?” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “What do you do?” means आप क्या काम करते हैं? (aap kya kaam karte hain?). The sentence “For introductions — what do you do?” shows it in context.
How do I use “What do you do?” in a sentence?
If you don't mind — what do you do? Hindi meaning: अगर बुरा न मानें, आप क्या काम करते हैं? (agar bura na maanen, aap kya kaam karte hain?). Use “What do you do?” as a complete expression. The three examples show how the same speaking goal fits different situations.
What should I watch for when using “What do you do?”?
This question often asks about someone's job. “What are you doing?” asks about their current activity. Choose the tense for the question you mean.
