Humanities Languages German for Beginners: Occupations (Beruf) Talk About Your Job and Career in German Share Flipboard Email Print Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Languages German Vocabulary Basics History & Culture Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar English as a Second Language Spanish French Italian Japanese Mandarin English Grammar by Hyde Flippo Updated October 08, 2017 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 you're 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?" There's so much more to learn and this lesson will give you plenty of new words and phrases to study that pertain to your career. A Cultural Note on Asking About Other's WorkIt's very common for English-speakers to ask a new acquaintance about their profession. It's 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 you'll just have to play by ear as you meet new people, but it's always good to keep in mind.A Note About German GrammarWhen you say "I'm a student" or "he's 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. It's 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). EnglishDeutscharchitectder Architektauto mechanicder Automechanikerbakerder Bäckerbank tellerder Bankangestellte, die Bankangestelltebricklayer, stone masonder Maurerbroker stock broker real estate agent/brokerder Makler der Börsenmakler der Immobilienmaklerbus driverder Busfahrercomputer programerder Programmierer, die Programmiererincook, chefder Koch, der Chefkochdie Köchin, die Chefköchindoctor, physiciander Arzt, die Ärztinemployee, white-collar workerder Angestellte, die Angestellteemployee, blue-collar workerder Arbeiter, die ArbeiterinIT workerAngestellte/Angestellter in der Informatikjoiner, cabinetmakerder Tischlerjournalistder Journalistmusiciander Musikernurseder Krankenpfleger, die Krankenschwesterphotographerder Fotograf, die Fotografinsecretaryder Sekretär, die Sekretärinstudent, pupil (K-12)*der Schüler, die Schülerinstudent (college, univ.)*der Student, die Studentintaxi driverder Taxifahrerteacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerintruck/lorry driverder Lkw-Fahrerder Fernfahrer/Brummifahrerwaiter - waitressder Kellner - die Kellnerinworker, laborerder 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 what's being asked and know how to respond.Q: What's your occupation?Q: What do you do for a living?A: I'm a...F: Was sind Sie von Beruf?F: Was machen Sie beruflich?A: Ich bin...Q: What's your occupation?A: I'm 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 führt 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 McDonald's.F: Wo arbeiten Sie?A: Bei McDonald's.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: He's 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 Bankbei der Deutschen Bankat homezu Hauseat McDonald'sbei McDonald'sat the officeim Büroin a garage, auto repair shopin einer/in der Autowerkstattin a hospitalin einem/im Krankenhaus/Spitalwith a big/small companybei einem großen/kleinen UnternehmenApplying 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.EnglishDeutschcompany, firmdie Firmaemployerder Arbeitgeberemployment officedas Arbeitsamt (Web link)interviewdas Interviewjob applicationdie BewerbungI'm applying for a job.Ich bewerbe mich um eine Stelle/einen Job.resume, CVder Lebenslauf citecite this article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Flippo, Hyde. "German for Beginners: Occupations (Beruf)." ThoughtCo, Oct. 8, 2017, thoughtco.com/occupations-was-sind-sie-von-beruf-4077750. Flippo, Hyde. (2017, October 8). German for Beginners: Occupations (Beruf). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/occupations-was-sind-sie-von-beruf-4077750 Flippo, Hyde. "German for Beginners: Occupations (Beruf)." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/occupations-was-sind-sie-von-beruf-4077750 (accessed April 21, 2018). copy citation Continue Reading