Meaning
To state one's profession or job.
Cultural Background
Germans value professional titles highly. If you have a specific qualification, use the exact title associated with it. Saying 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Handwerker' is okay, but 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Tischlermeister' (Master Carpenter) conveys much more status. In Austria, titles are even more prominent than in Germany. It is common to include your professional title in social introductions and even on doorplates. The Swiss labor market is very diverse. You might hear people say they work 'auf dem Bau' (on construction) or 'im Büro' (in the office) as a shorthand before specifying 'Ich arbeite als...' Among young Germans working remotely, English job titles are often used within the German sentence structure.
The Zero Article Rule
Remember: No 'ein' or 'eine' after 'als' when naming your job. It's the fastest way to sound like a native.
Gender Matters
Always check if your job title needs an '-in' at the end if you are female. It's grammatically required in most contexts.
Meaning
To state one's profession or job.
The Zero Article Rule
Remember: No 'ein' or 'eine' after 'als' when naming your job. It's the fastest way to sound like a native.
Gender Matters
Always check if your job title needs an '-in' at the end if you are female. It's grammatically required in most contexts.
Small Talk
In Germany, asking 'What do you do?' is not considered rude; it's a standard way to show interest in someone.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the sentence.
Ich arbeite ___ {der|m} Programmierer.
We use 'als' to state a professional role.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a woman?
Select the correct sentence:
A woman must use the feminine form 'Lehrerin' and the preposition 'als'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machen Sie beruflich? B: Ich ______ ___ {die|f} Architektin.
'Ich arbeite als' is the standard way to answer this question.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
When would you say 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Verkäufer'?
This phrase is used to define your professional role.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch arbeite ___ {der|m} Programmierer.
We use 'als' to state a professional role.
Select the correct sentence:
A woman must use the feminine form 'Lehrerin' and the preposition 'als'.
A: Was machen Sie beruflich? B: Ich ______ ___ {die|f} Architektin.
'Ich arbeite als' is the standard way to answer this question.
When would you say 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Verkäufer'?
This phrase is used to define your professional role.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, you can also say 'Ich bin Lehrer' (I am a teacher). Both are very common.
Usually, you say 'Ich studiere [Subject]'. But you can say 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Werkstudent' (I work as a working student).
In German, professions used as predicates or after 'als' don't take an article. It's a specific grammar rule called the 'Nullartikel'.
You can say: 'Ich arbeite als {der|m} Lehrer und auch als {der|m} Autor.'
Related Phrases
Ich bin ... von Beruf
synonymI am a ... by profession
Ich bin tätig als ...
similarI am active as ...
Ich mache eine Ausbildung als ...
builds onI am doing an apprenticeship as ...
Ich arbeite bei ...
similarI work at [Company]
