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German work vocabulary is essential for anyone living in a German-speaking country or working with German colleagues. The workplace has specific vocabulary that textbooks often skip — words for meetings, contracts, applications, and the rhythms of working life in Germany.
Grammar tip
Job titles in German often have masculine and feminine forms — add -in for feminine (der Lehrer → die Lehrerin, der Arzt → die Ärztin). The plural often changes too. When writing a job application in German, always use the correct gendered form for yourself.
| German | English | Level |
|---|---|---|
| die Arbeit | work / job | A1 |
| arbeiten | to work | A1 |
| der Job | job | A1 |
| das Büro | office | A1 |
| der Chef / die Chefin | boss / manager | A1 |
| bezahlen | to pay | A1 |
| der Kollege / die Kollegin | colleague | A2 |
| das Meeting | meeting | A2 |
| das Gehalt | salary | A2 |
| der Urlaub | vacation / holiday | A2 |
| die Firma | company / firm | A2 |
| der Beruf | profession / occupation | A2 |
| bewerben | to apply (for a job) | A2 |
| die Bewerbung | job application | A2 |
| der Feierabend | end of the working day | A2 |
| das Homeoffice | home office / remote work | A2 |
| der Vertrag | contract | B1 |
| kündigen | to resign / to fire | B1 |
| die Besprechung | meeting / discussion | B1 |
| das Vorstellungsgespräch | job interview | B1 |
| die Stelle | position / job opening | B1 |
| die Überstunden | overtime | B1 |
| die Abteilung | department | B1 |
| die Ausbildung | vocational training / education | B1 |
| selbstständig | self-employed / independent | B1 |
| die Rente | pension / retirement | B1 |
| der Lebenslauf | CV / résumé | B1 |
| die Kündigung | dismissal / resignation letter | B2 |
| das Zeugnis | reference / certificate | B2 |
| verhandeln | to negotiate | B2 |
See these words in action
Butterfluent shows German subtitles on real videos — and highlights noun genders in colour as you watch. Masculine words appear in blue, feminine in pink, neuter in green. Click any word to see its translation, article, and grammar explanation instantly. No more forgetting which article goes with which noun.
German job titles typically add -in for the feminine form: der Lehrer (male teacher) → die Lehrerin (female teacher), der Arzt (male doctor) → die Ärztin (female doctor). The plural also changes. When writing a formal job application in German, using the correct gendered form is expected.
Feierabend is one of German's most culturally specific work words. It literally means 'celebration evening' and refers to the end of the working day — the moment you finish work and can relax. Unlike English, German has a specific word dedicated to this transition, reflecting the cultural importance placed on work-life separation in Germany.