01
berufstätig
employed / working
Describes a person who has paid work or practices a profession and thereby earns their living.
example
Beide Elternteile sind voll berufstätig.
Both parents are working full-time.
berufstätig
employed / working
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Beruf' (profession/job), the linking -s, and 'tätig' (active). So it literally means that someone is active in their profession.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist seit über 20 Jahren als Ärztin berufstätig.
She has been working as a doctor for over 20 years.
Use with 'sein'
'Berufstätig' (employed / working) is almost always used as a predicative adjective with the verb 'sein' (to be). So you say 'jemand ist berufstätig' (someone is employed / working).
EXAMPLE
Obwohl sie schon 70 ist, ist sie immer noch berufstätig.
Although she is already 70, she is still working.
Typical collocations
The extent of the work is often specified more precisely with adverbs such as 'voll' (full-time) or 'teilzeit' (part-time). Typical combinations are 'voll berufstätig' (working full-time) or 'teilzeit berufstätig' (working part-time).
EXAMPLE
Viele Mütter möchten nach der Geburt ihres Kindes nur teilzeit berufstätig sein.
Many mothers want to work only part-time after the birth of their child.
Compare with
berufstätig vs tätig
active / employed
'tätig' and 'berufstätig' can both say that someone works. 'Berufstätig' generally describes a person who has a job and earns money. 'Tätig' sounds more formal and usually says more specifically in which field or position someone works, for example in a company or as a doctor. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with work. In practice: for someone's general life situation, 'berufstätig' fits better; for the field of work or function, 'tätig' fits better.
berufstätig
Nach der Elternzeit ist sie wieder berufstätig.
After parental leave, she is working again.
tätig
Frau Schneider ist seit vielen Jahren im Verkehrsbereich tätig.
Ms. Schneider has been employed in the transport sector for many years.
In real life
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