Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Work-and-Professions
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn vocabulary related to work and professions in Estonian. You will discover job titles, workplace items, and common tasks. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to talk about your job and ask others about theirs.
If you haven't studied Estonian before, we recommend that you check out the previous lessons of our Complete 0 to A1 Standard Estonian Course. This course is specifically designed for beginners and will help you progress towards the A1 level.
Jobs and Professions
Here are some common job titles in Estonian, along with their translations and pronunciations:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Advokaaat | [ˈɑdˈvokaːt] | Lawyer |
| Arst | [ˈɑrst] | Doctor |
| Asjaajaja | [ˈɑːs.jɑ.jɑ.jɑ] | Agent |
| Automehaanik | [ˈɑu̯.to.meˈhɑː.nik] | Mechanic |
| Kokk | [kɔkː] | Chef |
| Insener | [ˈin.seːner] | Engineer |
| Kellassepp | [kɛˈlˑɑsːepp] | Watchmaker |
| Klienditeenindaja | [ˈkliɛndiˌteːnin.dajɑ] | Customer service representative |
| Muusik | [ˈmuu.sik] | Musician |
| Õpetaja | [ˈɤ.pe.tɑ.jɑ] | Teacher |
| Poliitik | [poˈlii.tik] | Politician |
| Programmeerija | [ˈproː.gram.meː.ri.ja] | Programmer |
| Taksojuht | [ˈtɑk.so.juxt] | Taxi driver |
| Tõlk | [təlk] | Translator |
| Tööline | [ˈtøøli.ne] | Worker |
| Töötu | [ˈtøøtu] | Unemployed person |
| Veterinaar | [ˈvet.e.ri.naːr] | Veterinarian |
As you can see, some job titles are similar to their English counterparts, while others are not. Be sure to practice saying these words out loud to improve your pronunciation.
Workplace Items
In addition to job titles, here are some vocabulary words related to workplace items in Estonian:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Arvuti | [ˈɑrˑvy.ti] | Computer |
| Kalkulaator | [ˈkɑl.ku.lɑtor] | Calculator |
| Dokumendid | [ˈdo.ku.men.dit] | Documents |
| Koosolekuruum | [koː.so.ˈlek.ur.uum] | Meeting room |
| Kopimasin | [ˈko.pi.ma.sin] | Photocopier |
| Printer | [ˈprin.ter] | Printer |
| Telefon | [tel.ɛ.fon] | Telephone |
| Vihik | [ˈvi.hik] | Notebook |
| Tool | [ˈtoˑ.ol ] | Chair |
Common Tasks
Here are some common work-related tasks in Estonian, along with their translations and pronunciations:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Arvutiga töötamine | [ˈɑrˑvy.ti.ɡɑ ˈtøø.tɑ.mi.ne] | Working with computers |
| Dokumentide sorteerimine | [do.kuˈmen.ti.de soːrtseː.ri.mi.ne] | Sorting documents |
| Koosolekute pidamine | [koː.so.ˈlek.ute pi.da.mi.ne] | Holding meetings |
| Koolituste korraldamine | [ˈkoː.li.tus.te kor.rɑlˑdɑ.mi.ne] | Organizing trainings |
| Külaliste vastuvõtmine | [kyː.ˈlɑ.lis.te ˈvɑstu.ɤt.mi.ne] | Receiving guests |
| Projekteerimine | [proʊ'(j)ec?ti:rimine] | Designing |
| Tõlkimine | [ˈtølk.i.mi.ne] | Translation |
| Ülesannete täitmine | ['yː.les.anˑ.de tei̯t.mi.ne] | Completing tasks |
| Vastuste saatmine | [vɑsˈtus.te ˈsɑːt.mi.ne] | Sending responses |
Practice using these vocabulary words and phrases in sentences to help you remember them.
Dialogue
Now, let's put these new vocabulary words and phrases into context with a dialogue. In this dialogue, Helin and Jaan are talking about their jobs.
Helin: Tere, Jaan. Mis tööd sa teed? (Hi, Jaan. What kind of work do you do?)
Jaan: Ma olen programmeerija. (I am a programmer.)
Helin: Väga huvitav. Kuidas sulle see meeldib? (Very interesting. How do you like it?)
Jaan: Mulle see meeldib väga. Ma armastan probleemide lahendamist. (I like it very much. I love problem solving.)
Helin: Ma olen õpetaja. (I am a teacher.)
Jaan: See on vapper töö. (That is a brave job.)
Practice this dialogue with a friend or a language exchange partner to improve your speaking skills.
Conclusion
You have now learned vocabulary related to work and professions in Estonian. You have discovered job titles, workplace items, and common tasks. You have also practiced talking about your job and asking others about theirs.
Keep practicing these words and phrases in sentences to help you remember them. In the next lesson, we will learn vocabulary related to Estonian history.