Learn basic German vocabulary for occupations
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| Bauarbeiter |
| Vermieter |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn more German words for occupations. |
| Before we start, did you know there's a unique German tradition where craftsmen travel for years after completing their apprenticeship? Do you know what it's called? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| Bauarbeiter |
| "construction worker" |
| [SLOW] Bauarbeiter |
| Bauarbeiter |
| Bauarbeiter literally means “building” or “construction” worker. At the same time “Zimmerman”, carpenter, literally means “room man”. |
| Oscar and Emily talk while overlooking a construction site. |
| Oscar: Ich denke, die Bauarbeiter bauen ein Haus. |
| Emily: Ein Haus zu bauen ist harte Arbeit. |
| Designer |
| "designer" |
| [SLOW] Designer |
| Designer |
| As “banker” the word “Designer” is used in both English and German. |
| Steve discusses his start-up's branding with Susan. |
| Steve: Wir brauchen ein neues Logo. Wir haben einen Designer um Hilfe gebeten. |
| Susan: Ein gutes Logo ist wichtig. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, es zu sehen. |
| Soldat |
| "soldier" |
| [SLOW] Soldat |
| Soldat |
| Soldier! Did you know the world's largest army is the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, with approximately 2.2 million active personnel? |
| Boris talks to Tom about uniforms. |
| Boris: Wie Polizisten, haben auch Soldaten Uniformen. |
| Tom: Uniformen machen es leicht, sie zu erkennen. |
| Unternehmer |
| "entrepreneur" |
| [SLOW] Unternehmer |
| Unternehmer |
| Unternehmer is the masculine form, while the feminine form is Unternehmerin. |
| Lina talks to Aylin about her family. |
| Lina: Mein Bruder ist sehr beschäftigt. Er ist ein Unternehmer und hat drei Firmen. |
| Aylin: Drei Firmen? Das ist viel Arbeit! |
| Priester |
| "priest" |
| [SLOW] Priester |
| Priester |
| Priester! Did you know the word "priest" comes from the Greek "presbyteros," meaning "elder”? |
| Erica asks Tom about his weekend plans. |
| Erica: Machst du dieses Wochenende etwas Besonderes? |
| Tom: Ich werde in die Kirche gehen, um mit einem Priester zu sprechen. |
| Vermieter |
| "landlord" |
| [SLOW] Vermieter |
| Vermieter |
| The counterpart of “Vermieter” is just “Mieter” meaning tenant. |
| Emily talks about her apartment with Jack. |
| Emily: Ich mag meine Wohnung. Mein Vermieter ist nett. |
| Jack: Gute Vermieter machen wirklich einen großen Unterschied. |
| Künstler |
| "artist" |
| [SLOW] Künstler |
| Künstler |
| When we discuss the arts, we are referring to all music, literature, and painting. The German compound words Schreibkunst, Malkunst, and Musikkunst specifically translate to the art of writing, painting, and music, respectively. |
| Oscar admires paintings at a gallery with Tom. |
| Oscar: Schau dir diese Gemälde an. Der Künstler malt gut. |
| Tom: Ja, sie sind schön. |
| arbeitslos |
| "unemployed" |
| [SLOW] arbeitslos |
| arbeitslos |
| Historically, the term "arbeitslos" gained prominence in Germany during the Weimar Republic due to soaring unemployment rates, which peaked at around 33% in 1932, leaving millions without work and contributing to widespread economic and social turmoil. |
| Susan shares personal updates with Erica. |
| Erica: Wie geht es deinem Freund? |
| Susan: Nicht so gut. Mein Freund ist arbeitslos. |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in German. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "construction worker"? |
| Bauarbeiter |
| Bauarbeiter |
| And how to say "designer"? |
| Designer |
| Designer |
| What about "soldier"? |
| Soldat |
| Soldat |
| Do you remember how to say "entrepreneur"? |
| Unternehmer |
| Unternehmer |
| And how to say "priest"? |
| Priester |
| Priester |
| Let's try "landlord"! |
| Vermieter |
| Vermieter |
| Another one! What about "artist"? |
| Künstler |
| Künstler |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "unemployed"? |
| arbeitslos |
| arbeitslos |
| Did you know there's a unique German tradition where craftsmen travel for years after completing their apprenticeship? Do you know what it's called? |
| It’s called the "journeyman years," or "Wanderjahre" in German! This ancient tradition involves newly trained craftsmen traveling for a few years to gain experience and learn new skills from different masters. It’s a way to grow in their trade while exploring different regions and cultures. |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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