Job titles
department head
nounapprentice / trainee
nounShort for Auszubildender. Germany's famous vocational training system.
freelancer
nounmanaging director / CEO
nounOffice
desk
nounmeeting room
noundocuments / papers
nounIch schicke Ihnen die Unterlagen.
I will send you the documents.
working from home
nounIch arbeite heute im Homeoffice.
I am working from home today.
Work activities
to present
verbIch präsentiere das Projekt morgen.
I am presenting the project tomorrow.
to submit
verbSeparable verb: ein|reichen
Employment terms
sick note
nounAfter 3 sick days you need an Attest from a doctor.
part-time
nounIch arbeite in Teilzeit.
I work part-time.
overtime
nounIch mache viele Überstunden.
I work a lot of overtime.
Colleagues & communication
meeting
nounDas Meeting fängt um 10 Uhr an.
The meeting starts at 10.
feedback
noundeadline
nounDie Deadline ist Freitag.
The deadline is Friday.
available
adjSind Sie morgen verfügbar?
Are you available tomorrow?
Useful phrases
I am sick.
phraseIch bin krank und kann heute nicht kommen.
I am sick and cannot come today.
I would like to take leave.
phraseI have a question.
phraseI do not understand this.
phraseCan you help me?
phraseI will call back later.
phraseCan we arrange a meeting?
phraseAs soon as possible
phraseOften shortened to "sobald wie möglich" in emails.
What is the deadline?
phraseWho is responsible for that?
phraseIn context
Job interview
Marcus hat ein Vorstellungsgespräch als Entwickler. "Erzählen Sie mir etwas über sich." — "Ich arbeite seit fünf Jahren als Entwickler." — "Was sind Ihre Gehaltsvorstellungen?" — "Ich stelle mir ein Gehalt von 60.000 Euro vor."
Calling in sick
Marcus ruft seinen Chef an: "Ich bin krank und kann heute leider nicht kommen." — "Haben Sie einen Arzttermin?" — "Ja, ich hole eine Krankmeldung und schicke sie sofort." Drei Tage später kommt er mit dem Attest zurück.
Arranging a meeting
"Klara, haben Sie nächste Woche Zeit?" — "Dienstag und Mittwoch bin ich frei." — "Passt Dienstag um 14 Uhr?" — "Ja, das passt mir gut." Marcus schickt eine Kalendereinladung und bereitet die Unterlagen vor.
Practice this vocabulary in context
Seeing words here is a start. To actually remember them, use spaced repetition in our A2 course.
Frequently asked questions
Start with Besprechung (meeting), Aufgabe (task), Deadline, Kollege/Kollegin (colleague), and "Ich verstehe das nicht" (I don't understand this). German workplaces expect directness — saying "Ich habe eine Frage" (I have a question) or "Ich brauche mehr Zeit" (I need more time) is completely normal and not seen as weakness.
Send a Bewerbung with your Lebenslauf (CV) and Anschreiben (cover letter). German CVs are detailed: include a photo, date of birth, nationality, and a thorough Werdegang (career history). If shortlisted, you'll get a Vorstellungsgespräch (interview). The Gehaltsverhandlung (salary negotiation) usually happens at the interview or offer stage.
Azubi is short for Auszubildender — an apprentice in Germany's dual vocational training system (duales Ausbildungssystem). Azubis split their time between a company and a vocational school (Berufsschule). It's a highly respected path: many major German companies prefer Azubis they trained themselves. The program typically lasts 2–3 years and leads to a recognized qualification.
Most Verträge include a 3–6 month Probezeit (probationary period), after which standard notice periods apply (Kündigungsfrist, usually 4 weeks). Holiday entitlement is minimum 20 days per year on a 5-day week, though 25–30 days is common. The Zeugnis (work reference) is a legal right — you can request it any time and it follows a strict format.