German for Beginners Occupations (Beruf)

Discussing your profession in German requires a new list of vocabulary. Whether your job is as an architect, a doctor, a taxi driver, or if youre still a student, there are many occupational words to learn in German. You can begin with the simple question, Was sind Sie von Beruf? This means, What’s your occupation? Theres so much more to learn and this lesson will give you plenty of new study words and phrases  pertaining to your career. A Cultural Note on Asking About Others Work Its very common for English-speakers to ask a new acquaintance about their profession. Its small talk and a nice way to introduce yourself. However, Germans are less likely to do this. While some Germans may not mind, others may consider it an invasion of their personal sphere. This is something youll just have to play by ear as you meet new people, but its always good to keep in mind. A Note About German Grammar When you say Im a student or hes an architect in German, you normally leave out the a or an. You will say instead ich bin Student(in) or er ist Architekt (no ein or eine). Only if an adjective is added do you use the ein/eine. For instance, er ist ein guter Student (he is a good student) and sie ist eine neue Architektin (she is a new architect). Common Professions (Berufe) In the following chart, you will find a list of common occupations. Its important to note that all professions in  German have both a feminine and a masculine form.   We have listed the feminine form only in cases when it is not simply the standard  -in  ending (as in  der Arzt  and  die Ärztin) or when there is also a difference in English (as in waiter and waitress). You will find the feminine for jobs that are more likely to be feminine (such as a nurse or secretary) and in cases when the German feminine form is very common (as in student). English Deutsch architect der Architekt auto mechanic der Automechaniker baker der Bcker bank teller der Bankangestellte, die Bankangestellte bricklayer, stone mason der Maurer broker stock broker real estate agent/broker der Makler der Brsenmakler der Immobilienmakler bus driver der Busfahrer computer programer der Programmierer, die Programmiererin cook, chef der Koch, der Chefkochdie Kchin, die Chefkchin doctor, physician der Arzt, die rztin employee, white-collar worker der Angestellte, die Angestellte employee, blue-collar worker der Arbeiter, die Arbeiterin IT worker Angestellte/Angestellter in der Informatik joiner, cabinetmaker der Tischler journalist der Journalist musician der Musiker nurse der Krankenpfleger, die Krankenschwester photographer der Fotograf, die Fotografin secretary der Sekretr, die Sekretrin student, pupil (K-12)* der Schler, die Schlerin student (college, univ.)* der Student, die Studentin taxi driver der Taxifahrer teacher der Lehrer, die Lehrerin truck/lorry driver der Lkw-Fahrerder Fernfahrer/Brummifahrer waiter - waitress der Kellner - die Kellnerin worker, laborer der Arbeiter *Note that German makes a distinction between a school student/pupil and a college-level student. Questions and Answers (Fragen und Antworten) Having a conversation about work often involves a number of questions and answers. Studying these common job-related inquiries is a good way to ensure you understand whats being asked and know how to respond. Q: Whats your occupation?Q: What do you do for a living?A: Im a... F: Was sind Sie von Beruf?F: Was machen Sie beruflich?A: Ich bin... Q: Whats your occupation?A: Im in insurance.A: I work at a bank.A: I work at a bookstore. F: Was machen Sie beruflich?A: Ich bin in der Versicherungbranche.A: Ich arbeite bei einer Bank.A: Ich arbeite bei einer Buchhandlung. Q: What does he/she do for a living?A: He/She runs a small business. F: Was macht er/sie beruflich?A: Er/Sie fhrt einen kleinen Betrieb. Q: What does an auto mechanic do?A: He repairs cars. F: Was macht ein Automechaniker?A: Er repariert Autos. Q: Where do you work?A: At McDonalds. F: Wo arbeiten Sie?A: Bei McDonalds. Q: Where does a nurse work?A: In a hospital. F: Wo arbeitet eine Krankenschwester?A: Im Krankenhaus/im Spital. Q: At which company does he work?A: Hes with DaimlerChrysler. F: Bei welcher Firma arbeitet er?A: Er ist bei DaimlerChrysler. Where Do You Work? The question, Wo arbeiten Sie? means Where do you work? Your reply may be one of the following. at Deutsche Bank bei der Deutschen Bank at home zu Hause at McDonalds bei McDonalds at the office im Bro in a garage, auto repair shop in einer/in der Autowerkstatt in a hospital in einem/im Krankenhaus/Spital with a big/small company bei einem groen/kleinen Unternehmen Applying for a Position Applying for a position in German is the phrase sich um eine Stelle bewerben. You will find the following words helpful in that particular process. English Deutsch company, firm die Firma employer der Arbeitgeber employment office das Arbeitsamt (Web link) interview das Interview job application die Bewerbung Im applying for a job. Ich bewerbe mich um eine Stelle/einen Job. resume, CV der Lebenslauf