Professions , Occupations , Jobs in German Vocabulary List

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Learning job titles in German is essential for anyone planning to live, work, or study in Germany. Understanding these terms not only helps in professional settings but also enhances everyday communication. Whether you're discussing career aspirations, reading job postings, or engaging in conversations, knowing the German terms for various professions is incredibly useful. This guide provides an easy-to-follow approach to learning job titles in German, complete with their masculine and feminine forms, English translations, and pronunciations. By mastering these terms, you can navigate the German-speaking job market and social interactions with greater confidence and ease.

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Anwalt

Lawyer
Krankenschwester

Nurse
Maler

Painter
Fotograf

Photographer
Barbier

Barber
Augenarzt

Oculist
Philosoph

Philosopher
Physiker

Physicist
Dichter

Poet
Polizist

Policeman
Produzent

Producer
Verleger

Publisher
Geschäftsmann

Businessman
Geschäftsfrau

Businesswoman
Ballerina

Ballerina
Schmied

Blacksmith
Radiologe

Radiologist
Techniker

Technician
Tierarzt

Vet
Kellner

Waiter
Dienstmädchen

Maid
Briefträger

Mailman
Händler

Merchant
Model

Model
Musiker

Musician
Lehrer

Teacher
Wissenschaftler

Scientist
Feuerwehrmann

Fireman
Angestellter

Employee
Ingenieur

Engineer
Mechaniker

Mechanic
Zimmermann

Carpenter
Grafikdesigner

Graphics Designer
Friseur

Hairdresser
Elektriker

Electrician
Reporter

Reporter
Klempner

Plumber
Metzger

Butcher
Goldschmied

Goldsmith
Silberschmied

Silversmith
Bauer

Farmer
Schneider

Tailor
Kassierer

Cashier
Buchhalter

Accountant
Pilot

Pilot
Flugbegleiterin

Air hostess
Arzt

Doctor
Zahnarzt

Dentist
Koch

Chef

Professions , Occupations , Jobs in German Vocabulary List

Anwalt Lawyer
Krankenschwester Nurse
Maler Painter
Fotograf Photographer
Barbier Barber
Augenarzt Oculist
Philosoph Philosopher
Physiker Physicist
Dichter Poet
Polizist Policeman
Produzent Producer
Verleger Publisher
Geschäftsmann Businessman
Geschäftsfrau Businesswoman
Ballerina Ballerina
Schmied Blacksmith
Radiologe Radiologist
Techniker Technician
Tierarzt Vet
Kellner Waiter
Dienstmädchen Maid
Briefträger Mailman
Händler Merchant
Model Model
Musiker Musician
Lehrer Teacher
Wissenschaftler Scientist
Feuerwehrmann Fireman
Angestellter Employee
Ingenieur Engineer
Mechaniker Mechanic
Zimmermann Carpenter
Grafikdesigner Graphics Designer
Friseur Hairdresser
Elektriker Electrician
Reporter Reporter
Klempner Plumber
Metzger Butcher
Goldschmied Goldsmith
Silberschmied Silversmith
Bauer Farmer
Schneider Tailor
Kassierer Cashier
Buchhalter Accountant
Pilot Pilot
Flugbegleiterin Air hostess
Arzt Doctor
Zahnarzt Dentist
Koch Chef

Professions in German

Ingenieur Engineer
Elektroingenieur Electrical Engineer
Bauingenieur Civil Engineer
Maschinenbauingenieur Mechanical Engineer
Softwareingenieur Software Engineer
Entwicklungsingenieur Development Engineer
Marketing Manager Marketing Manager
Berater Consultant
Bankangestellter Banker
Immobilienmakler Estate Agent
Steuerberater Tax Consultant
Börsenmakler Broker
Künstler Artist
Musiker Musician
Designer Designer
Schriftsteller Writer
Architekt Architect
Fotograf Photographer
Mechaniker Mechanic
Handwerker Craftsman
Programmierer Programmer
Busfahrer Bus Driver
Taxifahrer Taxi Driver
Kassierer Cashier
Journalist Journalist
Sekretär Secretary
Student Student
Bäcker Baker
Metzger Butcher

Common Jobs in German

Here are some common job titles in German along with translations and an example sentence:

German	English
die Ärztin	doctor (female)
der Rentner	retiree
die Lehrerin	teacher (female)
der Student	student
der Polizist	police officer
der Kellner	waiter
der Lehrer	teacher
der Bäcker	baker
der Arzt	doctor (male)
der Koch	chef
der Journalist	journalist
der Zahnarzt	dentist

Example Sentence

If you need to ask for the waiter:

German: "Können Sie mir bitte den Kellner bringen?"
English: "Can you please bring the waiter to me?"

If you need to find a doctor:

German: "Wo kann ich einen Arzt finden?"
English: "Where can I find a doctor?"

professions in German male and female

Learning German professions involves understanding how to distinguish between male and female forms of each job title. This guide will help beginners grasp the basics by providing a comprehensive table of professions with their male and female forms, along with English translations and pronunciations.

Basic Rule for Forming Female Profession Names

Often, the female form of a profession can be created by simply adding "-in" to the male form. For example, "Schauspieler" (actor) becomes "Schauspielerin" (actress). However, there are exceptions where adding "-in" changes the vowel or replaces part of the male word entirely. This guide provides the full female names next to their male counterparts for clarity.

Professions (Male/Female)

German (Male)	German (Female)	Pronunciation (Male/Female)	English Translation
Angestellter	Angestellte	[ˈaŋɡəʃtɛltɐ] / [ˈaŋɡəʃtɛltə]	Employee
Anwalt	Anwältin	[ˈanvalt] / [ˈanvɛltɪn]	Lawyer
Apotheker	Apothekerin	[apoˈteːkɐ] / [apoˈteːkərɪn]	Pharmacist, Chemist
Architekt	Architektin	[ˌaʁçiˈtɛkt] / [ˌaʁçiˈtɛktɪn]	Architect
Arzt	Ärztin	[aʁtst] / [ˈɛʁtstɪn]	Physician, Doctor
Bauer	Bäuerin	[ˈbaʊɐ] / [ˈbɔɪ̯ərɪn]	Farmer
Beamter	Beamtin	[bəˈʔamtɐ] / [bəˈʔamtɪn]	Civil Servant
Briefträger	Briefträgerin	[ˈbʁiːfˌtʁɛːɡɐ] / [ˈbʁiːfˌtʁɛːɡərɪn]	Postman
Buchhalter	Buchhalterin	[ˈbuːxˌhaltɐ] / [ˈbuːxˌhaltərɪn]	Accountant, Bookkeeper
Busfahrer	Busfahrerin	[ˈbʊsˌfaːʁɐ] / [ˈbʊsˌfaːʁərɪn]	Bus Driver
Bäcker	Bäckerin	[ˈbɛkɐ] / [ˈbɛkərɪn]	Baker
Chemiker	Chemikerin	[ˈçeːmɪkɐ] / [ˈçeːmɪkərɪn]	Chemist
Chirurg	Chirurgin	[çiˈʁʊʁk] / [çiˈʁʊʁɡɪn]	Surgeon
Dachdecker	Dachdeckerin	[ˈdaxˌdɛkɐ] / [ˈdaxˌdɛkərɪn]	Roofer
Diätassistent	Diätassistentin	[diˈɛːtˌasɪstɛnt] / [diˈɛːtˌasɪstɛntɪn]	Dietitian
Dekorateur	Dekorateurin	[dekoˈʁaːtøːʁ] / [dekoˈʁaːtøːʁɪn]	Decorator
Detektiv	Detektivin	[detɛkˈtiːf] / [detɛkˈtiːvɪn]	Detective
DJ	DJ	[diː dʒeɪ] / [diː dʒeɪ]	DJ
Drucker	Druckerin	[ˈdʁʊkɐ] / [ˈdʁʊkərɪn]	Printer
Drogist	Drogistin	[dʁoˈɡɪst] / [dʁoˈɡɪstɪn]	Pharmacist/Druggist
Dermatologe	Dermatologin	[dɛʁmatoˈloːɡə] / [dɛʁmatoˈloːɡɪn]	Dermatologist
Dirigent	Dirigentin	[diˈʁɪɡɛnt] / [diˈʁɪɡɛntɪn]	Conductor
Dompteur	Dompteurin	[dɔmpˈtøːʁ] / [dɔmpˈtøːʁɪn]	Animal Trainer
Dolmetscher	Dolmetscherin	[ˈdɔlmɛtʃɐ] / [ˈdɔlmɛtʃərɪn]	Interpreter
Elektriker	Elektrikerin	[eˈlɛktrɪkɐ] / [eˈlɛktrɪkərɪn]	Electrician
Fernfahrer	Fernfahrerin	[ˈfɛʁnˌfaːʁɐ] / [ˈfɛʁnˌfaːʁərɪn]	Long-Distance Truck Driver
Feuerwehrmann	Feuerwehrfrau	[ˈfɔʏɐˌveːɐ̯man] / [ˈfɔʏɐˌveːɐ̯fʁaʊ]	Firefighter
Fischer	Fischerin	[ˈfɪʃɐ] / [ˈfɪʃərɪn]	Fisher
Fleischer	Fleischerin	[ˈflaɪ̯ʃɐ] / [ˈflaɪ̯ʃərɪn]	Butcher
Fremdenführer	Fremdenführerin	[ˈfʁɛmdənˌfyːʁɐ] / [ˈfʁɛmdənˌfyːʁərɪn]	Tourist Guide
Friseur	Friseurin, Friseuse	[fʁɪˈzøːɐ̯] / [fʁɪˈzøːɐ̯ɪn], [fʁɪˈzøːzə]	Hairdresser
Gärtner	Gärtnerin	[ˈɡɛʁtnɐ] / [ˈɡɛʁtnərɪn]	Horticulturist
Handwerker	Handwerkerin	[ˈhantvɛʁkɐ] / [ˈhantvɛʁkərɪn]	Craftsman
Hotelfachmann	Hotelfachfrau	[hoˈtɛlfaxˌman] / [hoˈtɛlfaxˌfʁaʊ]	Hotel Manager
Ingenieur	Ingenieurin	[ɪnʒeˈnɪøʁ] / [ɪnʒeˈnɪøʁɪn]	Engineer
Journalist	Journalistin	[ʒʊʁnaˈlɪst] / [ʒʊʁnaˈlɪstɪn]	Journalist
Kaufmann	Kauffrau	[ˈkaʊfman] / [ˈkaʊfˌfʁaʊ]	Merchant, Businessman
Kassierer	Kassiererin	[kaˈsiːʁɐ] / [kaˈsiːʁərɪn]	Cashier
Krankenpfleger	Krankenschwester	[ˈkʁaŋkənˌpfleːɡɐ] / [ˈkʁaŋkənˌʃvɛstɐ]	Male Nurse, Nurse
Kellner	Kellnerin	[ˈkɛlnɐ] / [ˈkɛlnərɪn]	Waiter / Waitress
Koch	Köchin	[kɔx] / [ˈkœçɪn]	Cook
Lehrer	Lehrerin	[ˈleːʁɐ] / [ˈleːʁərɪn]	Teacher
Maler	Malerin	[ˈmaːlɐ] / [ˈmaːlərɪn]	Painter
Mathematiker	Mathematikerin	[matemaˈtiːkɐ] / [matemaˈtiːkərɪn]	Mathematician
Mechaniker	Mechanikerin	[meˈçaːnɪkɐ] / [meˈçaːnɪkərɪn]	Mechanic
Metzger	Metzgerin	[ˈmɛtsɡɐ] / [ˈmɛtsɡərɪn]	Butcher
Musiker	Musikerin	[ˈmuːzɪkɐ] / [ˈmuːzɪkərɪn]	Musician
Pastor	Pastorin	[pasˈtoːɐ̯] / [pasˈtoːʁɪn]	Priest
Pfarrer	Pfarrerin	[ˈpfaʁɐ] / [ˈpfaʁərɪn]	Priest
Physiker	Physikerin	[ˈfyːzɪkɐ] / [ˈfyːzɪkərɪn]	Physicist
Politiker	Politikerin	[poˈliːtɪkɐ] / [poˈliːtɪkərɪn]	Politician
Polizist	Polizistin	[poliˈt͡sɪst] / [poliˈt͡sɪstɪn]	Policeman, Police Officer
Programmierer	Programmiererin	[pʁoɡʁamˈmiːʁɐ] / [pʁoɡʁamˈmiːʁərɪn]	Programmer
Psychiater	Psychiaterin	[psyˈçiːatɐ] / [psyˈçiːatərɪn]	Psychiatrist
Putzfrau	Raumpfleger, Reinigungskraft	[ˈpʊtsfʁaʊ] / [ˈʁaʊmpfleːɡɐ], [ʁaɪ̯nɪɡʊŋsˈkʁaft]	Cleaning Woman, Cleaning Employee
Rechtsanwalt	Rechtsanwältin	[ˈʁɛçt͡sˌanvalt] / [ˈʁɛçt͡sˌanvɛltɪn]	Lawyer, Attorney-at-Law
Reporter	Reporterin	[ʁeˈpɔʁtɐ] / [ʁeˈpɔʁtərɪn]	Reporter
Richter	Richterin	[ˈʁɪçtɐ] / [ˈʁɪçtərɪn]	Judge
Schauspieler	Schauspielerin	[ˈʃaʊ̯ˌʃpiːlɐ] / [ˈʃaʊ̯ˌʃpiːlərɪn]	Actor/Actress
Schriftsteller	Schriftstellerin	[ˈʃʁɪftˌʃtɛlɐ] / [ˈʃʁɪftˌʃtɛlərɪn]	Writer, Author
Sekretär	Sekretärin	[zekʁeˈtɛːɐ̯] / [zekʁeˈtɛːɐ̯ɪn]	Secretary
Sportler	Sportlerin	[ˈʃpɔʁtlɐ] / [ˈʃpɔʁtlərɪn]	Sportsman
Soldat	Soldatin	[zɔlˈdaːt] / [zɔlˈdaːtɪn]	Soldier
Tierarzt	Tierärztin	[ˈtiːɐ̯ˌʔaʁtst] / [ˈtiːɐ̯ˌʔɛʁtstɪn]	Veterinarian
Tänzer	Tänzerin	[ˈtɛnt͡sɐ] / [ˈtɛnt͡sərɪn]	Dancer
Verkäufer	Verkäuferin	[fɛɐ̯ˈkɔɪ̯fɐ] / [fɛɐ̯ˈkɔɪ̯fərɪn]	Salesperson
Vertreter	Vertreterin	[fɛɐ̯ˈtʁeːtɐ] / [fɛɐ̯ˈtʁeːtərɪn]	Representative
Winzer	Winzerin	[ˈvɪnt͡sɐ] / [ˈvɪnt͡sərɪn]	Winemaker
Zahnarzt	Zahnärztin	[ˈtsaːnˌʔaʁtst] / [ˈtsaːnˌʔɛʁtstɪn]	Dentist
Übersetzer	Übersetzerin	[yːbɐˈzɛt͡sɐ] / [yːbɐˈzɛt͡sərɪn]	Translator
Chef	Chefin	[ʃɛf] / [ˈʃɛfɪn]	Boss
Student	Studentin	[ʃtuˈdɛnt] / [ʃtuˈdɛntɪn]	Student

Medical Professions in German

Medical professions in German have distinct masculine and feminine forms. Below is a table with the profession names, their English translations, and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Arzt	Ärztin	[aʁtst] / [ˈɛʁtstɪn]	Doctor
Krankenpfleger	Krankenpflegerin	[ˈkʁaŋkənˌpfleːɡɐ] / [ˈkʁaŋkənˌpfleːɡərɪn]	Nurse
Sanitäter	Sanitäterin	[zaniˈtɛːtɐ] / [zaniˈtɛːtərɪn]	Paramedic
Zahnarzt	Zahnärztin	[ˈtsaːnˌʔaʁtst] / [ˈtsaːnˌʔɛʁtstɪn]	Dentist
Gynäkologe	Gynäkologin	[ɡynɛkoˈloːɡə] / [ɡynɛkoˈloːɡɪn]	Gynecologist
Urologe	Urologin	[uʁoˈloːɡə] / [uʁoˈloːɡɪn]	Urologist
Physiotherapeut	Physiotherapeutin	[fyzioˈtɛʁaˌpɔɪ̯t] / [fyzioˈtɛʁaˌpɔɪ̯tɪn]	Physiotherapist
Hautarzt	Hautärztin	[ˈhaʊtʔaʁtst] / [ˈhaʊtʔɛʁtstɪn]	Dermatologist
Psychologe	Psychologin	[psyˈçoːloɡə] / [psyˈçoːloɡɪn]	Psychologist

Teaching Professions in German

Similar to medical professions, teaching professions in German also have masculine and feminine forms. The table below lists these professions along with their English translations and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Lehrer	Lehrerin	[ˈleːʁɐ] / [ˈleːʁərɪn]	Teacher
Mathelehrer	Mathelehrerin	[ˈmaːtəˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈmaːtəˌleːʁərɪn]	Math Teacher
Biologielehrer	Biologielehrerin	[bioloˈɡiːleːʁɐ] / [bioloˈɡiːleːʁərɪn]	Biology Teacher
Sportlehrer	Sportlehrerin	[ˈʃpɔʁtleːʁɐ] / [ˈʃpɔʁtleːʁərɪn]	Trainer
Deutschlehrer	Deutschlehrerin	[ˈdɔʏtʃˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈdɔʏtʃˌleːʁərɪn]	German Teacher
Erdkundelehrer	Erdkundelehrerin	[ˈeːɐ̯tkʊndəˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈeːɐ̯tkʊndəˌleːʁərɪn]	Geology Teacher
Physiklehrer	Physiklehrerin	[fyˈziːkˌleːʁɐ] / [fyˈziːkˌleːʁərɪn]	Physics Teacher
Nachhilfelehrer	Nachhilfelehrerin	[ˈnaːxˌhɪlfəˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈnaːxˌhɪlfəˌleːʁərɪn]	Tutor
Grundschullehrer	Grundschullehrerin	[ˈɡʁʊntʃuːləˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈɡʁʊntʃuːləˌleːʁərɪn]	Primary School Teacher
Lehrer am Gymnasium	Lehrerin am Gymnasium	[ˈɡʏmˌnaːziʊmˌleːʁɐ] / [ˈɡʏmˌnaːziʊmˌleːʁərɪn]	High-School Teacher
Direktor	Direktorin	[diˈʁɛktoːʁ] / [diˈʁɛktoːʁɪn]	Headmaster/Headmistress

Engineering Professions in German

Engineering professions in German have distinct masculine and feminine forms. Here is a table with the profession names, their English translations, and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Ingenieur	Ingenieurin	[ɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [ɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Engineer
Elektroingenieur	Elektroingenieurin	[ɛlɛkˈtʁoːɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [ɛlɛkˈtʁoːɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Electrical Engineer
Bauingenieur	Bauingenieurin	[ˈbaʊɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [ˈbaʊɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Civil Engineer
Maschinenbauingenieur	Maschinenbauingenieurin	[maˈʃiːnənˌbaʊɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [maˈʃiːnənˌbaʊɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Mechanical Engineer
Softwareingenieur	Softwareingenieurin	[ˈzɔftˌvɛɐ̯ɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [ˈzɔftˌvɛɐ̯ɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Software Engineer
Entwicklungsingenieur	Entwicklungsingenieurin	[ɛntˈvɪklʊŋsɪnɡəˈnjøːɐ̯] / [ɛntˈvɪklʊŋsɪnɡəˈnjøːʁɪn]	Development Engineer

Business Professions in German

Business professions also have masculine and feminine forms in German. The table below lists these professions with their English translations and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Marketing Manager	Marketing Managerin	[ˈmaːkəˌtɪŋ ˈmanadʒɐ] / [ˈmaːkəˌtɪŋ ˈmanadʒərɪn]	Marketing Manager
Berater	Beraterin	[bəˈʁaːtɐ] / [bəˈʁaːtərɪn]	Consultant
Bankangestellter	Bankangestellte	[ˈbaŋkanɡəˌʃtɛltɐ] / [ˈbaŋkanɡəˌʃtɛltə]	Banker
Immobilienmakler	Immobilienmaklerin	[ɪmoˈbiːlɪənˌmaːklɐ] / [ɪmoˈbiːlɪənˌmaːklərɪn]	Estate Agent
Steuerberater	Steuerberaterin	[ˈʃtɔʏɐbəˌʁaːtɐ] / [ˈʃtɔʏɐbəˌʁaːtərɪn]	Tax Consultant
Börsenmakler	Börsenmaklerin	[ˈbœʁzənˌmaːklɐ] / [ˈbœʁzənˌmaːklərɪn]	Broker

Creative Professions in German

Creative professions include roles in the arts and design fields. Here are the German names for these professions, along with their English translations and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Künstler	Künstlerin	[ˈkʏnstlɐ] / [ˈkʏnstlərɪn]	Artist
Musiker	Musikerin	[ˈmuːzɪkɐ] / [ˈmuːzɪkərɪn]	Musician
Designer	Designerin	[diˈzaɪ̯nɐ] / [diˈzaɪ̯nərɪn]	Designer
Schriftsteller	Schriftstellerin	[ˈʃʁɪftˌʃtɛlɐ] / [ˈʃʁɪftˌʃtɛlərɪn]	Writer
Architekt	Architektin	[aʁçiˈtɛkt] / [aʁçiˈtɛktɪn]	Architect
Fotograf	Fotografin	[fotoˈɡʁaːf] / [fotoˈɡʁaːfɪn]	Photographer

Other Professions in German

This category includes various other professions, each with their masculine and feminine forms in German, English translations, and pronunciations.

German (Masculine)	German (Feminine)	Pronunciation (Masculine/Feminine)	English Translation
Mechaniker	Mechanikerin	[meˈçanikɐ] / [meˈçanikərɪn]	Mechanic
Handwerker	Handwerkerin	[ˈhantˌvɛʁkɐ] / [ˈhantˌvɛʁkərɪn]	Craftsman/Craftswoman
Programmierer	Programmiererin	[ˈpʁoˌɡʁamiːʁɐ] / [ˈpʁoˌɡʁamiːʁərɪn]	Programmer
Busfahrer	Busfahrerin	[ˈbʊsˌfaːʁɐ] / [ˈbʊsˌfaːʁərɪn]	Bus Driver
Taxifahrer	Taxifahrerin	[ˈtaksiˌfaːʁɐ] / [ˈtaksiˌfaːʁərɪn]	Taxi Driver
Kassierer	Kassiererin	[kaˈsiːʁɐ] / [kaˈsiːʁərɪn]	Cashier
Journalist	Journalistin	[ʒʊʁnaˈlɪst] / [ʒʊʁnaˈlɪstɪn]	Journalist
Sekretär	Sekretärin	[zekʁeˈtɛːɐ̯] / [zekʁeˈtɛːʁɪn]	Secretary
Student	Studentin	[ʃtuˈdɛnt] / [ʃtuˈdɛntɪn]	Student
Bedienung	(not gendered)	[bəˈdiːnʊŋ]	Waiter/Waitress
Bäcker	Bäckerin	[ˈbɛkɐ] / [ˈbɛkərɪn]	Baker
Metzger	Metzgerin	[ˈmɛt͡sɡɐ] / [ˈmɛt͡sɡərɪn]	Butcher