German Conversation · Level 18
90 words
German word
Beruf
Pronunciation
IPA/bəˈʁuːf/
Meaning
- masculine nounprofession
Example
Welchen Beruf hast du gelernt?
What profession did you train for?
More examples
Ich habe einen Beruf als Koch.
I am a cook by profession.
Core concept
A defined place on the working map, supported by learned abilities and often by formal credentials.
Common phrases
einen Beruf haben
have a profession
einen Beruf wechseln
change professions
einen Beruf suchen
look for a profession
Similar words
Arbeit: The activity of working or the work done as a whole.
Job: A short-term job, including temporary or part-time work.
Stelle: A specific employment position within an organization.
Ausbildung: Vocational training or education for entering an occupation.
Definition in German
Beruf (m) eine ausgeübte Erwerbstätigkeit, die durch fachliche Kenntnisse oder formale Qualifikation gekennzeichnet ist.
Word origin
Beruf traces back through Middle High German beruof to berufen 'to call or appoint', reflecting the older sense of a calling or role to which someone was appointed.
Usage tips
- In 'Welchen Beruf hast du gelernt?', gelernt refers to training for the occupation, not simply to learning a temporary job.