Einheit 7: Arbeit und Berufe.

📘 Colloquial German for Beginners

💼 UNIT 7: Work and Professions

🗣️ Dialogue 1 – Talking About Jobs (Standard German)

Basic Phrases:

• Was machst du beruflich? – What do you do for a living?
• Ich bin ... – I am ...
• Das klingt interessant! – That sounds interesting!
• Wie lange arbeitest du schon? – How long have you been working?
• Danke fürs Erzählen! – Thanks for sharing!

Anna: Hallo, was machst du beruflich?

Tom: Ich bin Lehrer.

Anna: Das klingt interessant! Unterrichtest du Kinder?

Tom: Ja, ich unterrichte Grundschulkinder.

Anna: Wie lange arbeitest du schon?

Tom: Seit fünf Jahren.

Anna: Danke fürs Erzählen!

Tom: Gern geschehen!

📝 Translation

Anna: Hello, what do you do for a living?

Tom: I am a teacher.

Anna: That sounds interesting! Do you teach children?

Tom: Yes, I teach primary school children.

Anna: How long have you been working?

Tom: For five years.

Anna: Thanks for sharing!

Tom: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 2 – Chatting About Jobs (Colloquial German)

Basic Phrases:

• Was machst’n so beruflich? – What do you do for a living?
• Ich bin ... – I am ...
• Cool, echt? – Cool, really?
• Wie lang machst’n das schon? – How long have you been doing that?
• Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Ben: Hey, was machst’n so beruflich?

Lisa: Ich bin Lehrer, so’n Ding.

Ben: Cool, echt? Unterricht’st Kinder?

Lisa: Jo, Grundschulkinder.

Ben: Wie lang machst’n das schon?

Lisa: Seit fünf Jahren.

Ben: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!

Lisa: Kein Ding!

📝 Translation

Ben: Hey, what do you do for a living?

Lisa: I’m a teacher, kinda thing.

Ben: Cool, really? Do you teach kids?

Lisa: Yeah, primary school kids.

Ben: How long have you been doing that?

Lisa: For five years.

Ben: Thanks for telling!

Lisa: No prob!

🗣️ Dialogue 3 – Talking About Jobs (Bavarian)

Basic Phrases:

• Was machst ...? – What do you do ...?
• I bin ... – I am ...
• Des is interessant! – That’s interesting!
• Wui lang machst des scho? – How long have you been doing that?
• Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Sepp: Servus, was machst beruflich?

Maria: I bin a Lehrer.

Sepp: Des is interessant! Lehrst Kinder?

Maria: Jo, Grundschui-Kinder.

Sepp: Wui lang machst des scho?

Maria: Seit fünf Joar.

Sepp: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!

Maria: Gern g’scheh!

📝 Translation

Sepp: Hello, what do you do for a living?

Maria: I am a teacher.

Sepp: That’s interesting! Do you teach children?

Maria: Yeah, primary school children.

Sepp: How long have you been doing that?

Maria: For five years.

Sepp: Thanks for telling!

Maria: You’re welcome!

🗣️ Dialogue 4 – Talking About Jobs (Swabian)

Basic Phrases:

• Was machst ...? – What do you do ...?
• I bin ... – I am ...
• Des klingt guat! – That sounds good!
• Wia lang machst des scho? – How long have you been doing that?
• Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast! – Thanks for telling!

Lena: Grüß di, was machst beruflich?

Max: I bin a Lehrer.

Lena: Des klingt guat! Lehrst Kinder?

Max: Jo, Grundschulkinder.

Lena: Wia lang machst des scho?

Max: Seit fünf Johr.

Lena: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Max: Gudd, bittschö!

📝 Translation

Lena: Hello, what do you do for a living?

Max: I am a teacher.

Lena: That sounds good! Do you teach children?

Max: Yeah, primary school children.

Lena: How long have you been doing that?

Max: For five years.

Lena: Thanks for telling!

Max: You’re welcome!

🧠 Vocabulary

Standard: Was machst du beruflich?

Colloquial: Was machst’n so beruflich?

Bavarian: Was machst beruflich?

Swabian: Was machst beruflich?

Meaning: What do you do for a living?

Standard: Ich bin ...

Colloquial: Ich bin ...

Bavarian: I bin ...

Swabian: I bin ...

Meaning: I am ...

Standard: Das klingt interessant!

Colloquial: Cool, echt?

Bavarian: Des is interessant!

Swabian: Des klingt guat!

Meaning: That sounds interesting!

Standard: Wie lange arbeitest du schon?

Colloquial: Wie lang machst’n das schon?

Bavarian: Wui lang machst des scho?

Swabian: Wia lang machst des scho?

Meaning: How long have you been doing that?

Standard: Danke fürs Erzählen!

Colloquial: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!

Bavarian: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!

Swabian: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Meaning: Thanks for telling!

Standard: Beruf

Colloquial: Beruf

Bavarian: Beruf

Swabian: Beruf

Meaning: Profession

Standard: Lehrer

Colloquial: Lehrer

Bavarian: Lehrer

Swabian: Lehrer

Meaning: Teacher

Standard: Kinder

Colloquial: Kinder

Bavarian: Kinder

Swabian: Kinder

Meaning: Children

Note: Colloquial German uses contractions like “machst’n” and slang like “kein Ding.” Bavarian uses “jo” and regional terms like “Joar.” Swabian has a melodic tone with words like “guat” and “verzählt.”

📚 Grammar Focus: Present Tense and Job Descriptions

The present tense is key for describing jobs and tasks in German:

• Standard German: Formal verbs and clear structures (Dialogue 1).
• Colloquial German: Simplified with contractions (Dialogue 2).
• Bavarian: Regional terms like “Joar” and “lehr” (Dialogue 3).
• Swabian: Softer pronunciation, similar structure (Dialogue 4).

Verb: Arbeiten

Standard: Ich arbeite

Colloquial: Ich mach

Bavarian: I mach

Swabian: I mach

Meaning: I work

Verb: Unterrichten

Standard: Ich unterrichte

Colloquial: Ich unterricht’

Bavarian: I lehr

Swabian: I lehr

Meaning: I teach

Phrase: Seit fünf Jahren

Standard: Seit fünf Jahren

Colloquial: Seit fünf Jahren

Bavarian: Seit fünf Joar

Swabian: Seit fünf Johr

Meaning: For five years

Examples:

Standard:

• “Ich bin Lehrer.” – Formal.
• “Ich unterrichte Kinder.” – Clear.
• “Ich arbeite seit fünf Jahren.” – Polite.

Colloquial:

• “Ich bin Lehrer, so’n Ding.” – Casual.
• “Ich unterricht’ Kinder.” – Relaxed.
• “Ich mach das seit fünf Jahren.” – Lively.

Bavarian:

• “I bin a Lehrer.” – Regional.
• “I lehr Kinder.” – Warm.
• “I mach des seit fünf Joar.” – Sing-song.

Swabian:

• “I bin a Lehrer.” – Soft.
• “I lehr Kinder.” – Melodic.
• “I mach des seit fünf Johr.” – Expressive.

✍️ Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank (Standard German)

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase or profession term in Standard German.

• 1. Was machst du ___?
• 2. Ich bin ___.
• 3. Das klingt ___!
• 4. Unterrichtest du ___?
• 5. Wie lange ___ du schon?

Solutions:

• 1. Was machst du beruflich?
• 2. Ich bin Lehrer.
• 3. Das klingt interessant!
• 4. Unterrichtest du Kinder?
• 5. Wie lange arbeitest du schon?

Exercise 2: Matching Phrases to Dialects

Match the phrase to its dialect.

• 1. Was machst du beruflich?
• 2. Was machst’n so beruflich?
• 3. Was machst beruflich?
• 4. Was machst beruflich?

Options:

• A. Standard German
• B. Colloquial German
• C. Bavarian
• D. Swabian

Solutions:

• 1. Was machst du beruflich? – A. Standard German
• 2. Was machst’n so beruflich? – B. Colloquial German
• 3. Was machst beruflich? – C. Bavarian
• 4. Was machst beruflich? – D. Swabian

Exercise 3: Sentence Ordering (Colloquial German)

Put the words in order to form a correct sentence in Colloquial German.

• 1. machst’n / beruflich / so / was?
• 2. Lehrer / bin / ich!
• 3. lang / machst’n / wie / das / schon?

Solutions:

• 1. Was machst’n so beruflich?
• 2. Ich bin Lehrer!
• 3. Wie lang machst’n das schon?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Vocabulary

Choose the correct vocabulary word to complete the sentence (use the dialect indicated).

• 1. (Standard) ___ machst du beruflich?
  A. Was   B. Wie   C. Wo
• 2. (Colloquial) ___ so beruflich?
  A. Was machst’n   B. Wie machst’n   C. Wo machst’n
• 3. (Bavarian) ___ des is interessant!
  A. Jo   B. Gudd   C. Klar
• 4. (Swabian) ___ gudd, danke!
  A. Jo   B. Naus   C. Hin

Solutions:

• 1. Was machst du beruflich?
• 2. Was machst’n so beruflich?
• 3. Jo des is interessant!
• 4. Jo gudd, danke!

Exercise 5: Fill in the Blank (Mixed Dialects)

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase or profession term (use the dialect indicated).

• 1. (Standard) Ich bin ein ___.
• 2. (Colloquial) Ich bin’n ___.
• 3. (Bavarian) I ___ a Lehrer.
• 4. (Swabian) Wia lang machst des ___?
• 5. (Standard) Ich unterrichte ___.

Solutions:

• 1. Ich bin ein Lehrer.
• 2. Ich bin’n Lehrer.
• 3. I bin a Lehrer.
• 4. Wia lang machst des scho?
• 5. Ich unterrichte Kinder.

Exercise 6: Translate and Transform (Standard to Colloquial)

Translate the following Standard German sentences into Colloquial German, using slang or informal expressions. Provide a brief explanation of the changes.

• 1. Was machst du beruflich?
• 2. Ich bin Lehrer.
• 3. Wie lange arbeitest du schon?
• 4. Danke fürs Erzählen!

Solutions:

• 1. Colloquial: Was machst’n so beruflich?
  Explanation: “Was machst du” becomes “Was machst’n” with a contraction for casual tone.
• 2. Colloquial: Ich bin Lehrer, so’n Ding.
  Explanation: Adds “so’n Ding” for informal flair.
• 3. Colloquial: Wie lang machst’n das schon?
  Explanation: “Wie lange arbeitest” is simplified to “Wie lang machst’n” for a relaxed vibe.
• 4. Colloquial: Danke, dass du’s erzählt hast!
  Explanation: “Danke fürs Erzählen” is replaced with a more conversational phrase.

Exercise 7: Create Your Own Dialogue (Mixed Dialects)

Write a short dialogue (4-6 lines) between two people talking about jobs, using one of the following styles: Standard German, Colloquial German, Bavarian, or Swabian. Include at least one profession term and one phrase from the vocabulary section. Provide the translation into English.

Example:

• Style: Colloquial German
• Person 1: Hey, was machst’n so beruflich?
• Person 2: Ich bin Lehrer, so’n Ding.
• Person 1: Cool, echt? Unterricht’st Kinder?
• Person 2: Jo, Grundschulkinder. Danke, dass du fragst!
• Translation:
• Person 1: Hey, what do you do for a living?
• Person 2: I’m a teacher, kinda thing.
• Person 1: Cool, really? Do you teach kids?
• Person 2: Yeah, primary school kids. Thanks for asking!

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice (Dialect Identification)

Identify the dialect of the following sentences.

• 1. Was machst beruflich?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 2. Was machst du beruflich?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 3. Was machst’n so beruflich?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian
• 4. Was machst beruflich?
  A. Standard German   B. Colloquial German   C. Bavarian   D. Swabian

Solutions:

• 1. Was machst beruflich? – C. Bavarian
• 2. Was machst du beruflich? – A. Standard German
• 3. Was machst’n so beruflich? – B. Colloquial German
• 4. Was machst beruflich? – D. Swabian

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Substitution (Regional Dialects)

Rewrite the following Standard German sentences by substituting key words with their Bavarian or Swabian equivalents.

• 1. Ich bin Lehrer.
• 2. Ich unterrichte Kinder.
• 3. Wie lange arbeitest du schon?
• 4. Danke fürs Erzählen!

Solutions:

• 1. Bavarian: I bin a Lehrer.
  Swabian: I bin a Lehrer.
• 2. Bavarian: I lehr Kinder.
  Swabian: I lehr Kinder.
• 3. Bavarian: Wui lang machst des scho?
  Swabian: Wia lang machst des scho?
• 4. Bavarian: Danke, dass’d des erzählt hast!
  Swabian: Danke, dass’d des verzählt hast!

Exercise 10: Comprehension and Writing (Reading-Based)

Based on the reading passages (Text 1: Standard German and Text 2: Colloquial German), answer the following questions in complete sentences using either Standard German or Colloquial German. Then, write a short 3-4 sentence paragraph in the same style describing a similar scene (e.g., someone talking about their job).

• 1. What is the setting of each reading passage?
• 2. Who is the person talking about their job?
• 3. What profession is mentioned in each passage?

Example Response (Colloquial German):

• 1. Text 1 is bei ’nem Treffen, Text 2 is a in ’ner Kneipe.
• 2. In Text 1 is es ein Freund, in Text 2 ’n Typ.
• 3. In Text 1 is’s Lehrer, in Text 2 a Lehrer.
• Paragraph: In der Kneipe is voll gemütlich! Ein Typ erzählt von seinem Job, is Lehrer. Er unterricht’ Kinder, sagt er!

📖 Reading Passages

Text 1: A Job Discussion (Standard German)

Es ist ein sonniger Nachmittag. Eine Gruppe von Freunden trifft sich im Café. Ein Freund erzählt von seinem Beruf. „Ich bin Lehrer,“ sagt er. „Das klingt interessant! Unterrichtest du Kinder?“ fragt ein anderer. „Ja, Grundschulkinder,“ antwortet er. Alle genießen das Gespräch und den Kaffee.

📝 Translation

It’s a sunny afternoon. A group of friends meets in a café. One friend talks about his job. “I am a teacher,” he says. “That sounds interesting! Do you teach children?” another asks. “Yes, primary school children,” he replies. Everyone enjoys the conversation and the coffee.

📘 Glossary

Term: Sonniger Nachmittag

Meaning: Sunny afternoon

Term: Gruppe von Freunden

Meaning: Group of friends

Term: Café

Meaning: Café

Term: Erzählt

Meaning: Talks

Term: Beruf

Meaning: Profession

Term: Lehrer

Meaning: Teacher

Term: Das klingt interessant

Meaning: That sounds interesting

Term: Unterrichtest du Kinder

Meaning: Do you teach children

Term: Grundschulkinder

Meaning: Primary school children

Term: Antwortet

Meaning: Replies

Term: Genießen

Meaning: Enjoy

Term: Gespräch

Meaning: Conversation

Term: Kaffee

Meaning: Coffee

🧩 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• Who is talking about their job?
• What profession is mentioned?
• What question does another friend ask?
• How is the atmosphere described?

Solutions

• The setting is a café on a sunny afternoon.
• A friend is talking about his job.
• The profession mentioned is a teacher.
• Another friend asks, “Do you teach children?”
• The atmosphere is described as enjoyable with coffee.

Text 2: A Chill Chat in the Pub (Colloquial German)

Is’ ’n cooler Abend in der Kneipe. ’n Typ plaudert mit seinen Kumpels. „Ich bin Lehrer, so’n Ding,“ sagt er. „Cool, echt? Unterricht’st Kinder?“ fragt einer. „Jo, Grundschulkinder,“ grinst er. Alle haben Spaß und quatschen weiter.

📝 Translation

It’s a cool evening in the pub. A guy chats with his buddies. “I’m a teacher, kinda thing,” he says. “Cool, really? Do you teach kids?” one asks. “Yeah, primary school kids,” he grins. Everyone’s having fun and keeps talking.

📘 Glossary

Term: Cooler Abend

Meaning: Cool evening

Term: Kneipe

Meaning: Pub

Term: Typ

Meaning: Guy

Term: Plaudert

Meaning: Chats

Term: Kumpels

Meaning: Buddies

Term: Ich bin

Meaning: I am

Term: Lehrer

Meaning: Teacher

Term: Cool, echt

Meaning: Cool, really

Term: Unterricht’st Kinder

Meaning: Do you teach children

Term: Grundschulkinder

Meaning: Primary school children

Term: Grinst

Meaning: Grins

Term: Haben Spaß

Meaning: Have fun

Term: Quatschen

Meaning: Chat

🧪 Comprehension Questions

• What is the setting of the passage?
• Who is talking about their job?
• What profession is mentioned?
• What question does someone ask?
• How is the atmosphere described?

Solutions

• The setting is a pub on a cool evening.
• A guy is talking about his job.
• The profession mentioned is a teacher.
• Someone asks, “Do you teach children?”
• The atmosphere is described as fun and chatty.