field / métier
Loading your saved state.
field
A field of expertise, profession, or area of activity in which someone has special knowledge and skills and knows their way around well.
Die Programmierung von Datenbanken ist sein Metier.
Database programming is his field.
'Metier' (field/métier) is a loanword from French ('métier'). This explains its pronunciation and why it differs from typical German words. It often gives a statement an educated tone.
Er beherrscht sein Metier wie kaum ein anderer.
He has mastered his field like almost no one else.
The word is almost always used in the construction '[something] ist [jemandes] Metier' ([something] is [someone's] field). It is preceded by a possessive pronoun (mein, dein, sein) or a genitive (des Bäckers).
Die Organisation von großen Veranstaltungen ist genau ihr Metier.
Organizing large events is exactly her field.
The negative expression 'Das ist nicht mein Metier' (That is not my field) is especially common. It is used to politely express that you know nothing about a particular topic.
Frag mich bitte nicht nach Computern, das ist absolut nicht mein Metier.
Please don't ask me about computers; that is absolutely not my field.
subject / compartment
The terms Fach and Metier can both refer to a professional area of expertise. Fach tends to suggest a specialty that has been learned or is clearly defined. Metier emphasizes the profession or practical activity in which someone is particularly experienced and feels at ease.
Die persönliche Beratung von Kunden ist ihr Metier, in dem sie sich sicher fühlt.
Personal customer service is her area of expertise, and she feels at ease doing it.
Die Buchhaltung ist ihr Fach, das sie gründlich gelernt hat.
Accounting is her field; she studied it thoroughly.
