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 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 study words and phrases pertaining to your career.

It'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.

When 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).

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).

*Note that German makes a distinction between a school student/pupil and a college-level student.

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.

The question, "Wo arbeiten Sie?" means "Where do you work?" Your reply may be one of the following.

"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.