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angestellt

B1 adjective #1,500 most common 15 min read

angestellt

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips angestellt in 30 Seconds

Explanation angestellt in your Level:

When you start learning German, one of the first topics you will talk about is your job and your daily life. The word angestellt is very important for this. It simply means that you have a job and you work for a company or a boss. You are not your own boss. In German, you say Ich bin angestellt. This is a very simple and useful sentence. If someone asks you Was machen Sie beruflich? which means What do you do for a living?, you can answer with this word. You can also add the name of the company. For example, you can say Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt. The word bei is a preposition that means at or for in this context. It is very common to use bei with angestellt. You can also talk about your friends and family. You can say Mein Bruder ist angestellt or Meine Schwester ist angestellt. It is an adjective, so it describes a state of being. You do not need to change the ending of the word when you use it with the verb sein, which means to be. This makes it very easy for beginners to use. Just remember the structure: Subject plus the verb sein plus angestellt. For example, Er ist angestellt, Sie ist angestellt, Wir sind angestellt, Sie sind angestellt. If you do not have a job, you can use the word nicht to make it negative. You say Ich bin nicht angestellt. This means I am not employed. Maybe you are a student, or maybe you are looking for work. In that case, you can say Ich bin Student or Ich suche Arbeit. But if you have a contract and receive a salary every month, then you are definitely angestellt. It is a good word to know because work is a very common topic of conversation in Germany. Germans love to talk about their jobs, their companies, and their daily routines. Knowing how to say that you are employed will help you make friends and start conversations. You can also ask other people if they are employed. You can ask Bist du angestellt? or Sind Sie angestellt? This is a polite and normal question to ask when you are getting to know someone. So, practice this word and use it when you talk about your life and your career. It is a fundamental building block of the German language for anyone who wants to live, work, or study in a German-speaking country. Remember, angestellt simply means employed, and it is your key to talking about your professional life.

At the A2 level, you can start using the word angestellt to give more specific details about your employment situation. You already know that Ich bin angestellt means I am employed. Now, you can add more information to make your sentences richer. You can use the preposition als to say what your job title is. For example, Ich bin als Lehrer angestellt means I am employed as a teacher. You can combine this with the preposition bei to say where you work. For example, Ich bin als Lehrer bei einer Sprachschule angestellt. This tells the listener both your profession and your employer. You can also start talking about the type of contract you have. In Germany, it is very important whether your job is permanent or temporary. If you have a permanent job, you say Ich bin fest angestellt. The word fest means firm or fixed, so fest angestellt means permanently employed. This is a great thing to say because it means you have job security. If you work full-time, you can say Ich bin in Vollzeit angestellt. If you work part-time, you say Ich bin in Teilzeit angestellt. These phrases are very useful when you are looking for an apartment or opening a bank account, because people will ask you about your income and your job security. You can also use angestellt to talk about the past. If you want to say I was employed, you use the past tense of the verb sein. You say Ich war angestellt. For example, Letztes Jahr war ich bei einer Bank angestellt, aber jetzt bin ich Student. This helps you tell a story about your life and your career history. You should also learn the noun forms: der Angestellte for a man and die Angestellte for a woman. These mean the employee. For example, Die Firma hat viele Angestellte means The company has many employees. Remember that these nouns change their endings depending on the grammar of the sentence, which is a bit tricky but very important to practice. At this level, you should feel comfortable asking others about their work details. You can ask, Bist du in Vollzeit oder in Teilzeit angestellt? or Wo warst du vorher angestellt? By using these combinations, you can have much deeper and more interesting conversations about work, which is a central part of life in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

At the B1 level, your understanding of angestellt deepens as you navigate more complex administrative and professional contexts in the German-speaking world. You are no longer just saying that you have a job; you are discussing the conditions of your employment. You will frequently encounter the distinction between being unbefristet angestellt (employed on an open-ended, permanent contract) and befristet angestellt (employed on a fixed-term contract). This distinction is crucial in Germany, as an unbefristeter Vertrag offers significant legal protection against dismissal (Kündigungsschutz). When you apply for a visa extension, a loan, or a rental apartment, proving that you are unbefristet angestellt is often the most important requirement. You will also start using angestellt in more complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses. For example, you might say, Weil ich fest angestellt bin, mache ich mir keine Sorgen um die Zukunft (Because I am permanently employed, I don't worry about the future), or Ich freue mich, dass ich endlich als Ingenieur angestellt bin (I am happy that I am finally employed as an engineer). At this level, you should also clearly understand the difference between being angestellt and being selbstständig (self-employed) or freiberuflich (freelance). If someone asks why you don't start your own business, you might reply, Ich bin lieber angestellt, weil das sicherer ist und ich ein festes Gehalt bekomme (I prefer being employed because it is safer and I get a fixed salary). Furthermore, you will encounter the nominalized forms (der/die Angestellte) more frequently in reading and listening, such as in news reports about strikes or wage negotiations (Tarifverhandlungen). You will read sentences like Die Gewerkschaft fordert mehr Geld für die Angestellten im öffentlichen Dienst (The union is demanding more money for public sector employees). You must master the adjectival declension of these nouns: ein Angestellter (nominative masculine), den Angestellten (accusative masculine), dem Angestellten (dative masculine), and die Angestellten (plural). Understanding these nuances allows you to participate in discussions about the labor market, understand your rights and obligations as a worker in Germany, and handle bureaucratic tasks with much greater confidence and accuracy. The word angestellt is central to the German concept of social security and professional identity.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use angestellt with high precision and understand its implications within the broader context of the German economy, labor law, and social systems. You can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an Angestelltenverhältnis (employment relationship) compared to Selbstständigkeit (self-employment). You can articulate complex thoughts, such as: Ein großer Vorteil daran, angestellt zu sein, ist die soziale Absicherung, da der Arbeitgeber die Hälfte der Sozialversicherungsbeiträge übernimmt (A major advantage of being employed is the social security, as the employer covers half of the social insurance contributions). You will use the term in discussions about career progression, workplace dynamics, and economic trends. You might read articles analyzing the shift from traditional manufacturing jobs (Arbeiter) to service sector jobs (Angestellte), understanding that while the legal distinction between blue-collar and white-collar workers has largely been abolished in modern German labor law, the cultural and linguistic distinction sometimes persists. You will also encounter compound words and related terms, such as leitender Angestellter (executive employee or senior manager), which refers to an employee who has hiring and firing power and is therefore exempt from certain labor protection laws. You can comfortably use angestellt in passive constructions or complex participial phrases. For example: Die bei dem Unternehmen angestellten Fachkräfte fordern bessere Arbeitsbedingungen (The skilled workers employed at the company are demanding better working conditions). Here, angestellt is used as an extended attributive adjective, a hallmark of B2/C1 German. You will also be able to navigate formal correspondence and job interviews, using phrases like Ich bin derzeit in ungekündigter Stellung als Projektmanager angestellt (I am currently employed in an un-terminated position as a project manager). You understand the nuances of being scheinselbstständig (bogus self-employment), a legal issue where someone acts as a freelancer but is treated by the company as if they were angestellt, which is illegal in Germany due to tax and social security evasion. At this level, angestellt is not just a vocabulary word; it is a concept that connects to your understanding of the German welfare state (Sozialstaat), workers' rights (Arbeitnehmerrechte), and the structural organization of the modern workforce. Your ability to use it correctly reflects your integration into the professional culture.

At the C1 level, your use of angestellt is native-like, characterized by a deep understanding of its sociological, legal, and economic dimensions. You can effortlessly engage in academic or high-level professional discourse regarding the structural changes in the labor market. You can discuss the precarization of labor, contrasting the traditional, secure status of being normalarbeitsverhältnis angestellt (employed in a standard employment relationship) with the rise of the gig economy, temporary agency work (Leiharbeit), and fixed-term contracts (Kettenbefristungen). You can analyze texts that explore the psychological impact of employment status, using sophisticated vocabulary to express how being unbefristet angestellt contributes to social stability and personal identity in the DACH region. You are entirely comfortable with complex grammatical structures involving the word, such as extended participial attributes in formal writing: Die in den letzten zehn Jahren im Dienstleistungssektor angestellten Arbeitnehmer verzeichnen einen Reallohnverlust (The employees hired in the service sector over the last ten years are experiencing a loss in real wages). You understand and can debate the legal nuances of a leitender Angestellter versus a regular Angestellter, particularly concerning the Works Constitution Act (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz) and working hours regulations (Arbeitszeitgesetz). You can critically evaluate political proposals regarding labor market reforms, discussing how changes in taxation or social security might affect die fest Angestellten versus die Solo-Selbstständigen. In professional settings, you can negotiate contracts, understanding the precise legal implications of the clauses defining your status as angestellt. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the term, knowing that the Angestelltenkultur (white-collar culture) of the 20th century shaped modern German sociology. You can use the word in abstract, metaphorical, or highly specific contexts without hesitation. Your command of the nominalized forms (der/die Angestellte) across all cases and pluralities is flawless, even in complex nested sentences. You recognize subtle registers, knowing when to use abhängig beschäftigt for legal precision, Arbeitnehmer for general inclusivity, or angestellt for standard professional communication. At this level, the word is a tool for nuanced argumentation and precise legal or economic description.

At the C2 level, your mastery of the term angestellt encompasses its full historical, legal, and cultural etymology, allowing you to deconstruct its usage in literature, legal statutes, and advanced socio-economic theory. You understand the profound historical shift in the German labor market, specifically the evolution from the strict dichotomy of Arbeiter (blue-collar) and Angestellter (white-collar) to the unified concept of the Arbeitnehmer. You can critically analyze historical texts, such as Siegfried Kracauer's 'Die Angestellten' from 1930, understanding how the sociological category of the 'Angestellter' emerged as a distinct middle-class identity in the Weimar Republic, separate from the proletariat. You can articulate how this historical baggage still subtly influences modern perceptions of office work versus manual labor in Germany. In highly specialized legal or academic contexts, you can debate the precise definitional boundaries of being angestellt under the German Civil Code (BGB) and social security law (SGB), particularly in complex borderline cases involving platform work, crowdworking, or highly autonomous executive roles (Organmitglieder like a GmbH-Geschäftsführer, who may or may not be considered strictly 'angestellt' depending on the legal context). You can effortlessly deploy the term in the most complex syntactic structures, such as nested relative clauses, extended participial constructions, and subjunctive hypothetical scenarios. For instance: Wäre er nicht bei jenem multinationalen Konzern zu derart lukrativen Konditionen angestellt gewesen, hätte er den Sprung in die Selbstständigkeit wohl kaum gewagt. Your vocabulary includes highly specific compounds and derivations, and you can coin new ones if necessary for academic discourse. You are attuned to the slightest shifts in register and tone, recognizing when a politician uses the term 'die hart arbeitenden Angestellten' for populist appeal versus when an economist uses it as a strict statistical variable. At this level of proficiency, you do not merely use the word correctly; you command it as a conceptual lens through which to analyze the German socio-economic model, the welfare state, and the historical development of labor relations in Central Europe.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

angestellt in 30 Seconds

Means 'employed' or 'hired'.
Used with the verb 'sein' (to be).
Opposite of 'selbstständig' (self-employed).
Can be a noun: der/die Angestellte.

The German word angestellt is a fundamental adjective and participle used to describe the state of being employed by a company, organization, or individual. When you are angestellt, it means you have an employment contract, you receive a regular salary, and you are integrated into the organizational structure of your employer. This is in direct contrast to being selbstständig, which means self-employed, or freiberuflich, which refers to freelance work. The concept of being angestellt is deeply ingrained in German society, where stable employment and the associated social security benefits are highly valued.

Er ist bei einer großen Firma angestellt.

In everyday conversation, people frequently use this word when introducing themselves, discussing their career paths, or explaining their current life situation. For example, during a party or a networking event, a common question is Was machst du beruflich? (What do you do for a living?). A standard and perfectly complete answer could simply be Ich bin angestellt, though usually, people add their profession or the name of the company.

Legal Context: In German labor law, being angestellt implies specific rights and duties, including protection against unfair dismissal.

The term also carries historical weight. In the past, there was a strict legal and social distinction between an Arbeiter (a blue-collar worker doing manual labor) and an Angestellter (a white-collar worker doing administrative or intellectual work). Although modern German labor law has largely unified these categories under the term Arbeitnehmer (employee), the word angestellt remains the most common way to describe the general state of employment for both groups in casual speech. Furthermore, the word can be modified to provide more specific information about the nature of the employment. For instance, someone might be fest angestellt, which means they have a permanent, indefinite employment contract. This is the holy grail of employment in Germany, offering maximum job security.

Sie ist nun endlich fest angestellt.

Alternatively, one might be befristet angestellt (employed on a fixed-term contract) or in Teilzeit angestellt (employed part-time). These modifiers are crucial for understanding the exact nature of someone's professional situation.

Social Security: Being angestellt automatically means you are part of the German social security system, paying into health, pension, and unemployment insurance.

It is also worth noting that the word can be used as a noun: der Angestellte (the male employee) and die Angestellte (the female employee). When used this way, it follows adjectival declension rules, which can be tricky for learners but is essential for correct German grammar.

Wir sind hier alle angestellt.

Whether you are reading a news article about the economy, signing a lease for an apartment, or applying for a loan, your status as angestellt will be a key piece of information. Landlords and banks strongly prefer applicants who are fest angestellt because it guarantees a steady income. Therefore, mastering this word and its various contexts is absolutely vital for anyone planning to live, work, or study in a German-speaking environment. It is more than just a vocabulary word; it is a gateway to understanding the socio-economic fabric of the country.

Bist du momentan angestellt?

Financial Stability: Banks often require proof that you are angestellt before approving a mortgage or a large personal loan.

Mein Vater war sein ganzes Leben lang angestellt.

Understanding when and how people use this term will significantly improve your fluency and cultural competence in German.

Using the word angestellt correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical function as an adjective derived from the past participle of the verb anstellen. Most commonly, it is used in a predicative manner with the verb sein (to be). The basic structure is Subject + sein + angestellt. For example, Ich bin angestellt translates directly to I am employed. This simple structure is incredibly versatile and forms the basis of many conversations about work.

Ich bin bei einer Bank angestellt.

However, to provide more detail, German speakers use specific prepositions in conjunction with angestellt. The most important preposition to learn is bei. When you want to state the name of the company you work for, you must use bei followed by the dative case. For example, Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt (I am employed at Siemens). This is a very common pattern and sounds completely natural to native speakers.

Preposition Usage: Always use 'bei' for the company name, 'als' for the job title, and 'in' for the department or industry.

Another crucial preposition is als, which is used to specify your job title or role. For example, Sie ist als Lehrerin angestellt (She is employed as a teacher). You can easily combine these prepositions to create complex, informative sentences: Er ist als Ingenieur bei BMW angestellt (He is employed as an engineer at BMW). Beyond predicative use, angestellt can also be used attributively, meaning it directly modifies a noun. When used this way, it must take the appropriate adjective endings based on gender, number, and case. For example, das angestellte Personal (the employed staff) or ein angestellter Arzt (an employed doctor, as opposed to a doctor with their own private practice).

Der angestellte Manager hat weniger Risiko als der Inhaber.

This attributive use is slightly more formal and is frequently found in written German, such as in news articles, legal documents, and academic texts.

Attributive Adjective: When placed before a noun, angestellt must decline according to the standard German adjective declension rules.

Furthermore, you will often encounter angestellt modified by adverbs to describe the type of employment contract. The phrase fest angestellt is ubiquitous and means permanently employed. If someone asks, Bist du fest angestellt?, they are asking if you have a permanent contract. Other common modifiers include vollzeit (full-time), teilzeit (part-time), and geringfügig (marginally, referring to mini-jobs).

Wir suchen angestellte Fahrer für unser Logistikunternehmen.

Negation is straightforward: simply place nicht before angestellt. Ich bin nicht angestellt means I am not employed. Finally, the nominalized form is incredibly common. Der Angestellte (male) and die Angestellte (female) refer to the employee themselves. Because these nouns are derived from adjectives, they follow adjective declension rules. For example, Ich spreche mit dem Angestellten (I am speaking with the employee - dative case).

Sie ist in Vollzeit angestellt.

Nominalization: Nouns derived from 'angestellt' change their endings depending on whether they are preceded by a definite article, indefinite article, or no article.

Er möchte lieber angestellt sein, als ein eigenes Geschäft zu gründen.

Mastering these sentence patterns will allow you to communicate effectively and accurately about professional life in German.

The word angestellt is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world, permeating almost every aspect of daily life, administration, and social interaction. You will first and foremost hear it in casual conversations when people are getting to know each other. When meeting new people at a dinner party, a sports club, or a language course, the topic of work inevitably comes up. Someone might ask, Arbeitest du als Freelancer? (Do you work as a freelancer?), and the response will often be, Nein, ich bin fest angestellt (No, I am permanently employed).

In der Schweiz sind viele Grenzgänger angestellt.

Beyond small talk, you will encounter this word frequently in formal and bureaucratic settings. Germany is known for its thorough administration, and your employment status is a key metric for many institutions. When you go to the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) to apply for or renew a visa, the officials will heavily scrutinize whether you are angestellt, as this guarantees you have a steady income and health insurance.

Bureaucracy: Forms for taxes, insurance, and housing will almost always ask you to declare if you are 'angestellt', 'selbstständig', or 'arbeitslos'.

Similarly, when searching for an apartment, landlords will ask for a Mieterselbstauskunft (tenant questionnaire), which explicitly asks for your employment status. Being unbefristet angestellt (permanently employed) is often the deciding factor in securing a lease in competitive housing markets like Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt. You will also hear this word constantly in the media. News broadcasts on channels like Tagesschau or ZDF heute frequently report on the labor market, discussing the number of people who are abhängig beschäftigt (dependently employed, a formal synonym for angestellt) versus those who are self-employed. Economic reports discuss the wages of Angestellte and the policies affecting them.

Die Zahl der angestellt Beschäftigten ist dieses Jahr gestiegen.

In the workplace itself, the term is used to distinguish between internal staff and external contractors. A manager might say, Dieses Projekt wird nur von fest angestellten Mitarbeitern bearbeitet (This project is only handled by permanently employed staff), to indicate that freelancers or consultants are not involved.

Workplace Dynamics: The distinction between internal employees (Angestellte) and external workers (Externe) is crucial for IT access, security, and project management.

Furthermore, you will hear it in financial contexts. When applying for a credit card, a car loan, or a mortgage, the bank advisor will ask, Sind Sie angestellt? The stability associated with this word makes you a lower risk for financial institutions.

Als angestellt gemeldete Personen zahlen automatisch in die Rentenkasse ein.

Even in casual reading, such as lifestyle magazines or blogs, you will find articles discussing the pros and cons of being angestellt versus starting your own business. It is a word that bridges the gap between personal identity, legal status, and economic participation.

Viele Studenten sind nebenbei als Werkstudenten angestellt.

Tax Declarations: The German tax system has specific forms (Anlage N) exclusively for income derived from being angestellt.

Er ist bei der Stadtverwaltung angestellt.

Therefore, you will hear and read this word constantly, making it an essential part of your active German vocabulary.

While angestellt is a common and highly useful word, English speakers and other learners of German frequently make several specific mistakes when using it. The most prevalent error involves choosing the wrong preposition. In English, you say I am employed BY a company or I work FOR a company. Direct translation leads many learners to say Ich bin angestellt von Siemens or Ich bin angestellt für Siemens. Both of these are incorrect and sound very unnatural to a native speaker. The correct preposition to use when stating your employer is always bei. You must say Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt.

Falsch: Ich bin für Google angestellt. Richtig: Ich bin bei Google angestellt.

Another major source of confusion is the nominalized form of the word. Because der Angestellte (the employee) is derived from an adjective, it follows adjective declension rules, not standard noun declension rules. This means the ending changes depending on the article preceding it.

Declension Error: Learners often say 'ein Angestellte' instead of the correct 'ein Angestellter' for a male employee.

For example, with a definite article, it is der Angestellte (nominative), but with an indefinite article, it becomes ein Angestellter. In the plural, it is die Angestellten, but without an article, it is just Angestellte. This shifting ending is notoriously difficult for learners and requires dedicated practice. A third common mistake is confusing angestellt with visually or phonetically similar words. The verb einstellen means to hire. Sometimes learners mix up the participles and say Ich bin eingestellt when they mean to say they are currently employed. While Ich wurde eingestellt (I was hired) is correct, describing your current ongoing state of employment requires angestellt.

Er ist seit zehn Jahren dort angestellt.

Another confusing word is anstellig, which is an older, less common adjective meaning handy, skillful, or docile. Using anstellig instead of angestellt will cause significant confusion.

Vocabulary Mix-up: Do not confuse 'angestellt' (employed) with 'eingestellt' (hired/adjusted) or 'anstellig' (skillful).

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with word order. Because angestellt is a participle acting as an adjective, it typically belongs at the end of the clause in standard German sentence structure. Saying Ich bin angestellt bei einer Bank is grammatically acceptable in spoken German as an afterthought, but the standard, structurally sound sentence is Ich bin bei einer Bank angestellt.

Sind Sie in Vollzeit oder in Teilzeit angestellt?

Finally, there is a subtle cultural mistake. In English, saying I am a worker is quite common and neutral. In German, saying Ich bin Arbeiter specifically implies manual, blue-collar labor. If you work in an office, a school, or a hospital in a non-manual role, you should refer to yourself as ein Angestellter or say Ich bin angestellt. Failing to make this distinction won't cause a breakdown in communication, but it will mark you as a non-native speaker who doesn't grasp the nuances of German socio-economic vocabulary.

Meine Mutter ist als Krankenschwester angestellt.

Word Order: Keep the participle at the end of the sentence: Subject + sein + [details] + angestellt.

Wir sind nicht selbstständig, wir sind angestellt.

By paying attention to prepositions, declensions, and cultural nuances, you can avoid these common pitfalls and use the word like a pro.

The German language offers a rich vocabulary for discussing work and employment, and while angestellt is the most common term, there are several similar words and alternatives that carry slightly different nuances. Understanding these alternatives will greatly enrich your vocabulary and allow you to speak more precisely about professional situations. One of the most frequent synonyms is beschäftigt. This word literally means busy or occupied, but in a professional context, it translates directly to employed.

Er ist bei einer IT-Firma angestellt.

You will often see the term Beschäftigte used in official documents or news reports as a gender-neutral alternative to Angestellte. For example, Die Zahl der Beschäftigten ist gestiegen (The number of employed persons has risen). While angestellt specifically implies a contractual relationship with an employer, beschäftigt is a slightly broader term that focuses on the state of having work.

Synonym: Beschäftigt: Use 'beschäftigt' as a slightly more formal, statistical, or broad alternative to 'angestellt'.

Another excellent alternative is tätig. This adjective means active or working. It is very commonly used with the preposition als to describe one's profession. For instance, Ich bin als Lehrer tätig (I am working as a teacher). This phrase is elegant and slightly more formal than simply saying Ich bin Lehrer. It emphasizes the activity of the profession rather than the contractual status. You can be tätig whether you are angestellt or selbstständig (self-employed). A more bureaucratic synonym is erwerbstätig, which means gainfully employed. This term is almost exclusively used in official contexts, statistics, and government forms. It encompasses anyone who works for money, regardless of whether they are an employee, a freelancer, or a business owner.

Sie ist in einem großen Konzern angestellt.

If you want to specifically emphasize that someone is an employee and not an independent contractor, you might hear the phrase abhängig beschäftigt (dependently employed). This is a legal and sociological term used to distinguish standard employees from freelancers.

Synonym: Erwerbstätig: This is a hyper-formal word meaning 'gainfully employed', encompassing all forms of paid work.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to talk about the act of working rather than the state of being employed, you simply use the verb arbeiten (to work). Ich arbeite bei Siemens is practically synonymous with Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt in everyday conversation, though the latter places slightly more emphasis on the contractual security of the position.

Bist du als Entwickler angestellt?

Finally, there is the word berufstätig, which simply means working or having a job. Sind Sie berufstätig? is a common question on medical or administrative forms to determine if you are currently in the workforce. By mastering these nuances between angestellt, beschäftigt, tätig, erwerbstätig, and berufstätig, you will be able to navigate any conversation about work in German with precision and confidence.

Wir suchen dringend neues angestelltes Personal.

Synonym: Tätig: Focuses on the activity or role, often used with 'als' (e.g., tätig als Berater).

Er ist nicht mehr angestellt, er hat sich selbstständig gemacht.

Each word has its specific domain, from casual chat to legal documentation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Sind Sie derzeit in einem Unternehmen angestellt?"

Neutral

"Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt."

Informal

"Bist du eigentlich fest angestellt?"

Child friendly

"Mein Papa ist bei der Feuerwehr angestellt."

Slang

"Ich hab 'nen festen Job, bin angestellt."

Fun Fact

In the early 20th century, the term 'Angestellter' was heavily promoted by white-collar unions to distinguish themselves socially and legally from 'Arbeiter' (blue-collar workers), even though both were technically employed.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈanɡəˌʃtɛlt/

US /ˈanɡəˌʃtɛlt/

AN-ge-stellt

Rhymes With

bestellt erhellt gesellt gebellt zerschellt entstellt verstellt umstellt

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as an English 's' instead of 'sh' (ʃ).
Stressing the second syllable (an-GE-stellt) instead of the first.
Failing to pronounce the final 't' clearly.
Pronouncing the 'e' in 'ge' too strongly; it should be a schwa (ə).
Confusing the pronunciation with 'eingestellt'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but the nominalized adjective endings (der Angestellte, ein Angestellter) can be confusing to read correctly.

Writing 5/5

Spelling is easy, but applying the correct adjective declension when writing it as a noun is a classic B1/B2 hurdle.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the 'st' as 'sht' requires practice. Remembering to put it at the end of the sentence takes effort.

Listening 3/5

Very common word, easily picked out in conversation due to the strong 'st' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

arbeiten Beruf Firma Geld Chef

Learn Next

selbstständig Vertrag Kündigung Gehalt Gewerkschaft

Advanced

Scheinselbstständigkeit Tarifvertrag Kündigungsschutz Betriebsrat Sozialversicherungspflicht

Grammar to Know

Adjective Declension

Der angestellte Mann (nominative) vs. ein angestellter Mann (nominative indefinite).

Nominalized Adjectives

Der Angestellte (the employee) changes to ein Angestellter.

Participles as Adjectives

Angestellt comes from the past participle of anstellen.

Prepositions with Dative

Angestellt bei der Bank (bei requires dative).

Word Order in Main Clauses

Ich bin bei der Firma angestellt (Participle at the end).

Examples by Level

Ich bin angestellt.

I am employed.

Basic predicative use with the verb 'sein'.

Er ist bei einer Bank angestellt.

He is employed at a bank.

Use the preposition 'bei' for the company.

Sie ist nicht angestellt.

She is not employed.

Negation with 'nicht' placed before the adjective.

Wir sind hier angestellt.

We are employed here.

Plural subject 'wir' with the verb 'sind'.

Bist du angestellt?

Are you employed?

Yes/No question structure.

Mein Vater ist angestellt.

My father is employed.

Using a family member as the subject.

Ich bin als Fahrer angestellt.

I am employed as a driver.

Use 'als' to state the profession.

Sind Sie angestellt?

Are you employed? (formal)

Formal 'Sie' form.

Ich bin fest angestellt.

I am permanently employed.

'Fest' modifies 'angestellt' to mean permanent.

Sie war letztes Jahr angestellt.

She was employed last year.

Past tense using 'war'.

Er ist in Vollzeit angestellt.

He is employed full-time.

Phrase 'in Vollzeit' for full-time.

Wir sind in Teilzeit angestellt.

We are employed part-time.

Phrase 'in Teilzeit' for part-time.

Der Angestellte arbeitet am Computer.

The employee works at the computer.

Nominalized adjective, masculine nominative.

Die Angestellte ist sehr freundlich.

The employee is very friendly.

Nominalized adjective, feminine nominative.

Ich suche einen Job, ich bin nicht angestellt.

I am looking for a job, I am not employed.

Combining sentences with a comma.

Wo bist du angestellt?

Where are you employed?

W-question using 'Wo'.

Ich bin froh, dass ich unbefristet angestellt bin.

I am glad that I am permanently employed.

Subordinate clause pushing the verb to the end.

Ein Angestellter hat Anspruch auf bezahlten Urlaub.

An employee has the right to paid vacation.

Indefinite article declension 'ein Angestellter'.

Sie ist seit fünf Jahren bei dieser Firma angestellt.

She has been employed at this company for five years.

Use of 'seit' with dative for duration.

Viele Angestellte streiken heute für mehr Lohn.

Many employees are striking today for more pay.

Plural nominalization without article.

Obwohl er angestellt ist, verdient er nicht viel.

Although he is employed, he doesn't earn much.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Ich spreche mit dem Angestellten an der Rezeption.

I am speaking with the employee at the reception.

Dative case 'dem Angestellten'.

Ist es besser, angestellt oder selbstständig zu sein?

Is it better to be employed or self-employed?

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Das angestellte Personal bekommt einen Bonus.

The employed staff receives a bonus.

Attributive adjective use 'das angestellte'.

Als fest angestellter Mitarbeiter genießen Sie umfassenden Kündigungsschutz.

As a permanently employed staff member, you enjoy comprehensive protection against dismissal.

Extended attributive phrase.

Die Zahl der abhängig Beschäftigten und Angestellten ist im letzten Quartal gestiegen.

The number of dependently employed persons and employees rose in the last quarter.

Genitive plural 'der Angestellten'.

Er arbeitet als leitender Angestellter in einem großen Konzern.

He works as an executive employee in a large corporation.

Specific legal term 'leitender Angestellter'.

Trotz der Krise blieben die meisten Mitarbeiter weiterhin angestellt.

Despite the crisis, most employees remained employed.

Use with the verb 'bleiben'.

Scheinselbstständigkeit liegt vor, wenn jemand faktisch wie ein Angestellter behandelt wird.

Bogus self-employment occurs when someone is factually treated like an employee.

Comparison using 'wie ein Angestellter'.

Die Gewerkschaft vertritt die Interessen der Angestellten gegenüber dem Arbeitgeber.

The union represents the interests of the employees towards the employer.

Genitive plural for possession.

Wer geringfügig angestellt ist, zahlt keine Steuern, aber auch kaum in die Rentenkasse ein.

Whoever is marginally employed pays no taxes, but also hardly pays into the pension fund.

Relative clause with 'Wer'.

Sie kündigte ihren sicheren Job, um nicht mehr angestellt zu sein.

She quit her secure job in order to no longer be employed.

'um... zu' infinitive construction.

Die im öffentlichen Dienst angestellten Lehrkräfte fordern eine Anpassung der Tarifverträge.

The teachers employed in the public sector are demanding an adjustment of the collective agreements.

Extended participial attribute 'Die im öffentlichen Dienst angestellten'.

Der Übergang vom klassischen Angestelltenverhältnis in die Gig-Economy birgt soziale Risiken.

The transition from classical employment to the gig economy harbors social risks.

Compound noun 'Angestelltenverhältnis'.

Leitende Angestellte sind vom Arbeitszeitgesetz in wesentlichen Teilen ausgenommen.

Executive employees are exempt from the Working Hours Act in essential parts.

Legal exception context.

Es bedarf einer klaren Abgrenzung, ob jemand als freier Mitarbeiter oder als Angestellter zu qualifizieren ist.

A clear distinction is required as to whether someone is to be qualified as a freelancer or an employee.

Formal legal phrasing 'zu qualifizieren ist'.

Die Prekarisierung der Arbeit führt dazu, dass immer weniger Menschen unbefristet angestellt sind.

The precarization of work leads to fewer and fewer people being permanently employed.

Sociological context 'Prekarisierung'.

Er weigerte sich, die Mentalität eines einfachen Angestellten anzunehmen.

He refused to adopt the mentality of a simple employee.

Genitive singular masculine 'eines einfachen Angestellten'.

Die steuerliche Gleichbehandlung von Angestellten und Selbstständigen wird politisch kontrovers diskutiert.

The equal tax treatment of employees and the self-employed is politically controversially discussed.

Parallel structure with nominalized adjectives.

In der Weimarer Republik bildeten die Angestellten eine neue, aufstrebende soziale Schicht.

In the Weimar Republic, white-collar workers formed a new, rising social class.

Historical context usage.

Die dogmatische Unterscheidung zwischen Arbeitern und Angestellten ist im modernen Arbeitsrecht weitgehend obsolet geworden.

The dogmatic distinction between blue-collar and white-collar workers has largely become obsolete in modern labor law.

Academic legal discourse.

Kracauers soziologische Studie 'Die Angestellten' dekonstruiert den falschen Glanz der Angestelltenkultur der späten zwanziger Jahre.

Kracauer's sociological study 'The Salaried Masses' deconstructs the false glamour of the white-collar culture of the late 1920s.

Literary/sociological analysis.

Ob ein GmbH-Geschäftsführer sozialversicherungsrechtlich als angestellt gilt, hängt von seiner Kapitalbeteiligung und Sperrminorität ab.

Whether a GmbH managing director is considered employed under social security law depends on his capital share and blocking minority.

Highly specific corporate law context.

Die Erosion des Normalarbeitsverhältnisses zwingt viele ehemals fest Angestellte in eine unfreiwillige Solo-Selbstständigkeit.

The erosion of the standard employment relationship forces many formerly permanently employed individuals into involuntary solo self-employment.

Advanced socio-economic terminology.

Das Bundesarbeitsgericht urteilte, dass der Kläger aufgrund seiner Weisungsgebundenheit faktisch angestellt war.

The Federal Labor Court ruled that the plaintiff was factually employed due to his being bound by instructions.

Legal ruling terminology 'Weisungsgebundenheit'.

Die Entfremdung des Angestellten von den Produktionsmitteln manifestiert sich heute in der digitalen Dienstleistungsökonomie auf neue Weise.

The alienation of the employee from the means of production manifests itself in new ways today in the digital service economy.

Marxist sociological terminology.

Tarifdispositive Regelungen erlauben es, zuungunsten der Angestellten von gesetzlichen Vorgaben abzuweichen, sofern ein Tarifvertrag dies vorsieht.

Collective agreement-dispositive regulations allow for deviations from legal requirements to the detriment of employees, provided a collective agreement stipulates this.

Advanced labor law terminology.

Die Semantik des Begriffs 'angestellt' impliziert im deutschen Diskurs stets ein gewisses Maß an wohlfahrtsstaatlicher Protektion.

The semantics of the term 'employed' in German discourse always imply a certain degree of welfare state protection.

Linguistic and political analysis.

Common Collocations

fest angestellt

unbefristet angestellt

befristet angestellt

in Vollzeit angestellt

in Teilzeit angestellt

geringfügig angestellt

bei einer Firma angestellt

als Manager angestellt

leitender Angestellter

kaufmännischer Angestellter

Common Phrases

Ich bin angestellt.

— I am employed. The most basic way to state your employment status.

Was machst du? Ich bin angestellt.

Wo bist du angestellt?

— Where are you employed? Asking for the company name.

Wo bist du angestellt? Bei Siemens.

Ich bin bei ... angestellt.

— I am employed at ... Used to state the employer.

Ich bin bei der Bank angestellt.

Ich bin als ... angestellt.

— I am employed as ... Used to state the job title.

Ich bin als Lehrer angestellt.

Bist du fest angestellt?

— Are you permanently employed? Asking about contract security.

Bist du fest angestellt oder ist der Vertrag befristet?

ein Angestelltenverhältnis haben

— To have an employment relationship. Formal way of saying you are employed.

Wir haben ein reguläres Angestelltenverhältnis.

die Angestellten im öffentlichen Dienst

— Public sector employees. A very common phrase in news regarding government workers.

Die Angestellten im öffentlichen Dienst streiken.

Angestellte und Arbeiter

— White-collar and blue-collar workers. A traditional distinction in the workforce.

Das Gesetz gilt für Angestellte und Arbeiter.

nicht mehr angestellt sein

— To no longer be employed. Can mean fired, quit, or retired.

Er ist dort nicht mehr angestellt.

sich anstellen lassen

— To get hired/employed. The act of entering into employment.

Er wollte sich nicht anstellen lassen, sondern eine Firma gründen.

Often Confused With

angestellt vs eingestellt

Means 'hired' (action) or 'adjusted'. 'Ich wurde eingestellt' = I was hired. 'Ich bin angestellt' = I am employed.

angestellt vs anstellig

An old-fashioned adjective meaning 'handy' or 'skillful'. Very rarely used today, but looks similar.

angestellt vs Arbeiter

Means 'worker', but specifically implies manual/blue-collar labor, whereas 'Angestellter' implies office/white-collar work.

Idioms & Expressions

"sich anstellen"

— To behave foolishly, to make a fuss, or to line up. Note: This is the reflexive verb 'sich anstellen', not the adjective 'angestellt', but it is a crucial related idiom.

Stell dich nicht so an! (Don't make such a fuss!)

informal

"jemanden anstellen"

— To hire someone. The active verb form.

Wir müssen neues Personal anstellen.

neutral

"Unfug anstellen"

— To make mischief or do something bad. Another use of the verb 'anstellen'.

Die Kinder haben wieder Unfug angestellt.

informal

"in Lohn und Brot stehen"

— To be employed and earning a living. An old-fashioned idiom for being 'angestellt'.

Er steht endlich wieder in Lohn und Brot.

formal/literary

"sein eigener Herr sein"

— To be one's own boss. The idiomatic opposite of being 'angestellt'.

Ich bin lieber mein eigener Herr, als irgendwo angestellt zu sein.

neutral

"einen sicheren Hafen haben"

— To have a safe haven. Often used metaphorically for a secure, permanent employment contract (fest angestellt).

Mit der festen Anstellung hat er einen sicheren Hafen gefunden.

metaphorical

"im Hamsterrad laufen"

— To run in the hamster wheel. Often used critically to describe the routine of being an employee.

Als Angestellter läuft man oft nur im Hamsterrad.

informal/critical

"Dienst nach Vorschrift machen"

— To work to rule. Doing only the bare minimum required by the employment contract.

Die unzufriedenen Angestellten machen nur noch Dienst nach Vorschrift.

neutral

"auf eigenen Beinen stehen"

— To stand on one's own two feet. Can mean becoming self-employed instead of being 'angestellt'.

Sie hat gekündigt, um auf eigenen Beinen zu stehen.

idiomatic

"den Schreibtisch räumen"

— To clear one's desk. Meaning to be fired or to quit being employed at a specific place.

Er musste gestern seinen Schreibtisch räumen.

informal

Easily Confused

angestellt vs eingestellt

Both are participles of verbs ending in '-stellen' related to work.

'Eingestellt' refers to the moment of being hired. 'Angestellt' refers to the continuous state of being employed.

Ich wurde gestern eingestellt. Jetzt bin ich angestellt.

angestellt vs selbstständig

Both describe employment status.

They are exact opposites. 'Angestellt' means working for someone else. 'Selbstständig' means working for yourself.

Er ist nicht angestellt, er ist selbstständig.

angestellt vs beschäftigt

Both mean employed.

'Beschäftigt' is broader and can just mean 'busy'. 'Angestellt' specifically means having an employment contract.

Ich bin gerade sehr beschäftigt, weil ich bei einer neuen Firma angestellt bin.

angestellt vs Beruf

Both relate to work.

'Beruf' is the noun for 'profession' or 'job'. 'Angestellt' is the adjective describing the state of having a job.

Mein Beruf ist Lehrer. Ich bin an einer Schule angestellt.

angestellt vs Arbeitnehmer

Both refer to employees.

'Arbeitnehmer' is the overarching legal term for all employees. 'Angestellter' is a cultural/historical subset (white-collar), though often used interchangeably in daily life.

Jeder Angestellte ist ein Arbeitnehmer.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + sein + angestellt.

Ich bin angestellt.

Subject + sein + nicht + angestellt.

Er ist nicht angestellt.

Subject + sein + bei + [Company] + angestellt.

Sie ist bei BMW angestellt.

Subject + sein + als + [Profession] + angestellt.

Wir sind als Lehrer angestellt.

Subject + sein + [Modifier] + angestellt.

Ich bin fest angestellt.

Weil + Subject + angestellt + sein, ...

Weil ich angestellt bin, habe ich Urlaub.

der/die/das + angestellte + Noun

Das angestellte Personal streikt.

Extended participial attribute

Die bei der Firma seit Jahren angestellten Mitarbeiter.

Word Family

Nouns

der Angestellte the male employee

die Angestellte the female employee

das Angestelltenverhältnis the employment relationship

die Anstellung the employment/hiring

die Angestelltenschaft the workforce/body of employees

Verbs

anstellen to hire / to employ / to line up / to do mischief

sich anstellen to line up / to make a fuss

Adjectives

angestellt employed

anstellig handy/skillful (old-fashioned)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high. Top 1000 most common words in German.

Common Mistakes

Ich bin für Siemens angestellt. → Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt.
English speakers directly translate 'employed for'. In German, you must use the preposition 'bei' to indicate the company you work for.
Er ist ein Angestellte. → Er ist ein Angestellter.
'Angestellter' is a nominalized adjective. Following the indefinite article 'ein' for a masculine noun, it must take the '-er' ending.
Ich bin eingestellt. → Ich bin angestellt.
'Eingestellt' means 'hired' (the action). 'Angestellt' means 'employed' (the ongoing state).
Ich bin angestellt bei einer Bank. → Ich bin bei einer Bank angestellt.
While understandable, standard German word order places the participle/adjective 'angestellt' at the very end of the main clause.
Wir sind Arbeiters im Büro. → Wir sind Angestellte im Büro.
'Arbeiter' refers to manual laborers. Office workers are 'Angestellte'. Also, the plural of Arbeiter is Arbeiter, not Arbeiters.

Tips

Preposition 'bei'

Never use 'für' when talking about your employer. Always use 'bei' + Dative. Example: Ich bin bei der Post angestellt.

Fest angestellt

Memorize the chunk 'fest angestellt'. It is the most common way to say you have a secure, permanent job.

Adjective Endings

When using it as a noun (the employee), treat it exactly like an adjective. Der gute Mann -> Der Angestellte. Ein guter Mann -> Ein Angestellter.

The 'st' sound

Remember that 'st' in standard German is pronounced 'sht'. Say 'ang-ge-SHTELLT'.

Job Security

Understanding the difference between 'befristet' and 'unbefristet angestellt' is crucial for surviving German bureaucracy and apartment hunting.

Word Order

In a main clause, 'angestellt' goes at the very end. 'Ich bin als Lehrer bei einer Schule in Berlin angestellt.'

Angestellt vs. Selbstständig

Learn these two words together as a pair of opposites. They define the two main categories of the German workforce.

Negation

To say you are unemployed, you can say 'Ich bin arbeitslos' or simply 'Ich bin nicht angestellt'.

White Collar

If you work in an office, always refer to yourself as an 'Angestellter', never an 'Arbeiter'.

Forms and Documents

Look for the checkbox 'Angestellte/r' on official forms when they ask for your 'Berufsstand' (professional status).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are AN GEst (a guest) in a STELLar (stellar) T-shirt at a company, but you actually work there. You are AN-GE-STELL-T (employed).

Visual Association

Picture a person standing (gestellt) at (an) a desk with a contract in their hand, smiling because they have a secure job.

Word Web

Arbeit Firma Geld Vertrag Beruf Chef Büro sicher

Challenge

Write three sentences about three different people you know, stating where they are employed using 'ist bei [Company] angestellt'.

Word Origin

The word comes from the past participle of the German verb 'anstellen'. The verb 'anstellen' is composed of the prefix 'an-' (at, to) and 'stellen' (to place, to put). Historically, it meant to place someone at a post or a job.

Original meaning: Originally, 'anstellen' meant to physically place someone at a specific location or task. Over time, it evolved to mean giving someone a formal position or job, leading to the participle 'angestellt' meaning 'placed in a job' or 'employed'.

Germanic. Related to English 'to stall' or 'to install' (via Latin/French influence on the Germanic root).

Cultural Context

Do not refer to an office worker as an 'Arbeiter'. While technically they work, 'Arbeiter' implies manual labor and can be seen as slightly degrading or simply incorrect in a corporate context. Use 'Angestellter'.

In the US or UK, 'employed' is a neutral fact. In Germany, 'angestellt' carries a heavier connotation of social security and integration into the state welfare system.

Siegfried Kracauer's 1930 book 'Die Angestellten' (The Salaried Masses), a famous sociological study of office workers in Berlin. The German TV series 'Stromberg', which perfectly satirizes the life of 'Angestellte' in a typical German insurance office. The song 'Bruttosozialprodukt' by Geier Sturzflug, which humorously describes the daily grind of the German workforce.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interviews

Ich bin derzeit ungekündigt angestellt.
Ich suche eine feste Anstellung.
Ab wann könnte ich bei Ihnen angestellt sein?
Ich war zuvor als Manager angestellt.

Banking and Finance

Sind Sie fest angestellt?
Bitte weisen Sie nach, dass Sie angestellt sind.
Als Angestellter bekommen Sie den Kredit leichter.
Mein Angestelltengehalt kommt am Ersten.

Renting an Apartment

Der Vermieter sucht fest angestellte Mieter.
Ich bin unbefristet angestellt.
Hier ist mein Arbeitsvertrag als Angestellter.
Wir sind beide in Vollzeit angestellt.

Small Talk

Bist du angestellt oder selbstständig?
Wo bist du angestellt?
Ich bin bei einer kleinen Agentur angestellt.
Macht es Spaß, dort angestellt zu sein?

Tax Declarations

Einkünfte aus nichtselbstständiger Arbeit.
Ich bin als Angestellter tätig.
Die Anlage N für Angestellte.
Sozialabgaben für Angestellte.

Conversation Starters

"Was machst du beruflich? Bist du irgendwo fest angestellt?"

"Findest du es besser, angestellt oder selbstständig zu sein?"

"Wie lange bist du schon bei deiner jetzigen Firma angestellt?"

"Glaubst du, dass man als Angestellter heute noch sicher ist?"

"Würdest du lieber als Beamter oder als normaler Angestellter arbeiten?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe deinen Traumjob. Wo wärst du gerne angestellt und warum?

Was sind für dich die größten Vorteile und Nachteile, angestellt zu sein?

Erinnere dich an deinen ersten Job, bei dem du offiziell angestellt warst. Wie war das?

Würdest du dich jemals selbstständig machen, oder bleibst du lieber angestellt? Warum?

Wie hat sich die Arbeitswelt für Angestellte in den letzten 10 Jahren verändert?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You must always use 'bei'. Saying 'Ich bin für Siemens angestellt' is a direct translation from English and is incorrect in German. The correct phrase is 'Ich bin bei Siemens angestellt'.

Historically, an 'Arbeiter' did physical, manual labor (blue-collar), while an 'Angestellter' did mental, administrative work (white-collar). Today, the legal difference is mostly gone, but people still use 'Angestellter' for office workers.

You use the phrase 'fest angestellt' or 'unbefristet angestellt'. For example, 'Ich bin fest angestellt' means you have a permanent contract without an end date.

Because it is a nominalized adjective. It acts like a noun but follows the grammar rules of an adjective. After 'der', the adjective ending is '-e'. After 'ein', the masculine adjective ending is '-er'.

Yes, absolutely. You simply add the modifier 'in Teilzeit'. You say, 'Ich bin in Teilzeit angestellt'.

No, in this context, it is an adjective derived from the past participle of the verb 'anstellen'. You use it with the verb 'sein' (to be).

'Scheinselbstständigkeit' (bogus self-employment) is when someone claims to be a freelancer but actually works exactly like an 'Angestellter' (bound by instructions, working for only one client). It is illegal in Germany.

You can ask casually: 'Bist du angestellt?' or formally: 'Sind Sie angestellt?' You can also ask 'Bist du fest angestellt?' to ask if they have a permanent contract.

The plural is 'die Angestellten' (with a definite article) or just 'Angestellte' (without an article). For example: 'Die Firma hat viele Angestellte'.

Yes, as a participle of 'anstellen', it can mean 'lined up' (Ich habe mich an der Kasse angestellt) or 'done mischief' (Was hast du angestellt?). But as a standalone adjective regarding work, it means employed.