Jobs in German: Essential Professions Vocabulary
Common jobs in German include der Arzt (doctor), die Lehrerin (teacher), der Ingenieur (engineer), die Krankenschwester (nurse), der Koch (cook), der Polizist (police officer), der Verkäufer (salesperson), der Anwalt (lawyer), die Friseurin (hairdresser), der Busfahrer (bus driver), der Kellner (waiter), and der Student (student).
Talking about professions is one of the first conversations you will have in German. Whether you are introducing yourself, describing family members, or discussing career plans, knowing how to name jobs in German is essential for A1 learners.
German job titles follow grammatical gender rules, with masculine forms using der and feminine forms using die. Many professions have distinct masculine and feminine versions, which is important to recognize when speaking about specific people in their professional roles.
Word list
Tips
- Most German professions have both masculine and feminine forms. The feminine version typically adds -in to the masculine form, like der Lehrer becomes die Lehrerin.
- When talking about your own job, use the phrase Ich bin followed by the profession without an article: Ich bin Arzt or Ich bin Lehrerin.
- Learn professions with their articles from the start. The gender affects how you use the word in sentences and helps you remember related vocabulary correctly.
FAQ
Do all jobs in German have masculine and feminine forms?
Most German professions have both forms, with the feminine typically ending in -in. However, some newer or borrowed job titles may use the same form for all genders, and usage continues to evolve in modern German.
Why does der Student appear in a jobs list?
In German, der Student refers to a university student and is commonly used when discussing what someone does. While not a paid profession, it describes an occupation or current role, making it useful vocabulary for introductions.
How do I say someone works as a specific profession?
Use the construction arbeitet als with the article: Er arbeitet als Arzt (He works as a doctor) or Sie arbeitet als Lehrerin (She works as a teacher). For your own job, Ich bin without the article is more common.