Learn Italian: Dottore, dove lavora? - Doctor, where do you work?

Dottore, dove lavora?

Doctor, where do you work?

Breakdown of Dottore, dove lavora?

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Questions & Answers about Dottore, dove lavora?

How does the word dove work in this sentence?

Dove means "where". Just like in English, question words in Italian usually go at the beginning of the question. Notice how it sits right in front of the verb lavora.

Why is the verb lavora used when asking "where do YOU work"? Doesn't lavora mean "he/she works"?

You are exactly right that lavora is the he/she form of the verb! However, because the speaker is addressing a doctor, they are being polite and using the formal "you" (Lei). In Italian, the formal Lei always uses the same verb endings as "he" and "she". If you were talking to a friend, you would use the informal tu and ask dove lavori?.

Why isn't the pronoun Lei (formal you) included in the sentence?

In Italian, you can usually drop the subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, etc.) because the context and the verb ending tell you who is doing the action. Saying Dottore, dove lavora Lei? is grammatically correct, but dropping the pronoun is much more common and natural.

Why is there no "the" (il) before Dottore?

Because the speaker is talking directly to the doctor to get his attention. When you address someone directly like this, you drop the article. If you were talking about the doctor to a friend, you would use the article and say il dottore.