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Unafanya nini (kwa maisha?) What do you do for a living?
If you want to ask what kind of work someone does, you can ask one of the following questions. Two important verbs to know are kufanya (to do) and kufanya kazi (to work).
- Taaluma yako ni ipi?
What’s your profession? - Unafanya kazi gani?
What do you do for a living? - Una kazi?
Do you have a job? - Unafanya kazi wapi?
Where do you work?
Mimi ni mwalimu. I’m a teacher.
To answer, use the verb ni (am, is, are) and the profession.
- Mimi ni mwalimu.
I’m a teacher. - Mimi ni mwanafunzi.
I’m a student. - Mimi ni muuguzi.
I’m a nurse. - Mimi ni daktari.
I’m a doctor. - Mimi ni daktari wa meno.
I’m a dentist. - Mimi ni afisa wa polisi.
I’m a police officer. - Mimi ni mzima moto.
I’m a fireman. - Mimi ni muuzaji.
I’m a salesperson. (salesman/saleswoman) - Mimi ni mhudumu.
I’m a server. (waiter/waitress) - Mimi ni mhudumu wa baa.
I’m a bartender. - Mimi ni mpishi.
I’m a cook. - Mimi ni mwigizaji.
I’m an actor/actress. - Mimi ni mwandishi.
I’m a writer. - Mimi ni mwanahabari.
I’m a journalist. - Mimi ni msanii.
I’m an artist. - Mimi ni mwimbaji.
I’m a singer. - Mimi ni mchezaji.
I’m a dancer. - Mimi ni mjenzi.
I’m a construction worker. - Mimi ni fundi wa bomba.
I’m a plumber. - Mimi ni fundi wa umeme.
I’m an electrician. - Mimi ni mhandisi.
I’m an engineer. - Mimi ni seremala.
I’m a carpenter. - Mimi ni mwanasheria.
I’m a lawyer. - Mimi ni mbunifu.
I’m an architect. - Mimi ni mtengenaji wa wavuti.
I’m a web designer. - Mimi ni katibu.
I’m a secretary. - Mimi ni daktari wa akili.
I’m a psychiatrist. - Mimi ni mwanasaikolojia.
I’m a psychologist. - Mimi ni mfanyakazi wa kijamii.
I’m a social worker. - Mimi ni mwalimu wa yoga.
I’m a yoga instructor. - Mimi ni mtunza fedha.
I’m a cashier. - Mimi ni mfanyakazi wa posta.
I’m a postal worker. - Mimi ni msimamizi wa afisi.
I’m an office supervisor. - Mimi ni mtumishi wa umma.
I’m a civil servant.
Ninafanya kazi katika kampuni ndogo. I work for a small company.
Here are a few other expressions you can use to describe where, or whether, you work.
- Nafanya kazi kwenye afisi.
I work in an office. - Ninafanya kazi kwenye kampuni kubwa/ndogo.
I work for a big/small company. - Nina kazi ya wakati wote/muda .
I have a full time/part-time job. - Ninafanya kazi nyumbani.
I work at home. - Nina biashara yangu.
I have my own business. - Nina kazi.
I have a job/work. - Sina kazi.
I don’t have a job/work. - Natafuta kazi.
I’m looking for a job/work. - Mimi ni mstaafu.
I’m retired. - Sina kazi/ajira.
I’m unemployed.
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