Time to get to work talking about… work! Discussing your profession in Italian requires a new list of vocabulary. So here’s a chance to brush up on some of the words and phrases you’ll need most when talking about your job.
Basic work-related terms in Italian
Before talking about specific jobs, let me introduce a few useful basics for talking about jobs and occupations in Italian.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Lavoro | Job |
| Impiego | Job, employment |
| Professione | Profession |
| Occupazione | Occupation |
| Mestiere | Profession, vocation, job |
| Carriera | Career |
| Azienda, impresa, ditta | Company |
| Startup | Startup |
| Stipendio | Salary |
| Datore di lavoro | Employer |
| (Lavoratore) dipendente | Employee |
| Libero professionista | Freelance, self-employed |
| Centro per l’impiego, ufficio di collocamento | Job centre |
| Opportunità di lavoro | Job vacancy |
| Curriculum vitae, curriculum, CV | Résumé, CV |
| Lettera di accompagnamento | Cover letter |
| Colloquio di lavoro, colloquio conoscitivo | Job interview |
| Tirocinio, stage (pronounced /staʒ/) | Internship |
| Stagista | Trainee |
| Formazione | Training |
| Lavoro temporaneo / a tempo determinato / parasubordinato | Temporary role |
| Lavoro stagionale | Seasonal work |
| Lavoro occasionale | Occasional work |
| Lavoro su turni | Shift work |
| Lavoro autonomo (in proprio) | To be self-employed, to work as a freelancer |
| Lavoro dipendente a tempo indeterminato | Permanent work, permanent contract |
| Volontariato | Voluntary work |
Questions and answers
If you want to ask someone about their profession, you will have to say:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Mi occupo di… | I work in… |
| Mi occupo di sicurezza sul lavoro | I work in the job security sector. |
It is very common for English speakers to ask a new acquaintance what their job is. Asking someone about their profession is one of the most common things to do when making small talk with them. However, in Italy, asking what someone does for a living is considered a very personal question.
If you have to ask, be sure to preface or end your question with “Se non sono indiscreto/a…”, which corresponds to “If you don’t mind me asking ...”.If you are being asked the question, you can respond with:
Here are some examples:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Faccio la traduttrice / Sono una traduttrice | I’m a translator, I work as a translator. |
| Mio padre fa l’avvocato / Mio padre è un avvocato | My father is a lawyer, My father works as a lawyer. |
Here are some other possible answers and ways of talking about your job in Italian:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Mi occupo di… | I work in… |
| Mi occupo di sicurezza sul lavoro | I work in the job security sector. |
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Lavoro come… | I work as… |
| Lavoro come receptionist presso un hotel del centro | I work as a receptionist in a downtown hotel. |
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Lavoro nel/nella… | I work in… |
| Lavoro nelle pubbliche relazioni | I work in public relations. |
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Viaggio molto per lavoro | I travel a lot on business. |
| Enter your teSto cercando lavoro | I am looking for a job.xt here... |
| Mi piace il mio lavoro | I like my job. |
| Amo il mio lavoro | I love my job. |
| Non mi piace il mio lavoro | I don’t like my job |
| Ho sempre desiderato fare... | I have always wanted to be a… |
| Da grande mi piacerebbe fare… | I would like to be a… when I grow up |
Italian Professions
There are over five billion jobs in the world. It is impossible to list all possible professions, but there are some common ones you should know.
The vast majority of Italian occupation nouns have a masculine form ending in -o and a feminine one ending in -a.
Istruzione – Education
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Insegnante (m/f) | Teacher, instructor |
| Professore / professoressa | Teacher, professor |
| Maestro/a | Elementary school teacher |
| Maestro/a d’asilo | Kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher |
| Educatore / educatrice | Educator, teacher, instructor |
| Docente universitario | Lecturer, professor |
| Tutor (m/f) | Tutor |
| Preside (m/f) | Principal, headmaster, school supervisor |
| Dirigente scolastico (m/f) | School head, school principal |
| Rettore (m/f) | Dean, chancellor |
| Bidello/a | Janitor, custodian |
Medical & Health
Italian English Medico (m/f) Doctor Dottore / dottoressa Doctor Infermiere/a Nurse Chirurgo (m/f) Surgeon Paramedico Paramedic Psicologo/a Psychologist Psicoterapeuta (m/f) Psychotherapist Psichiatra (m/f) Psychiatrist Neurologo/a Neurologist Pediatra (m/f) Pediatrician Cardiologo/a Cardiologist Radiologo/a Radiologist Dentista, odontoiatra (m/f) Dentist Oculista (m/f) Ophthalmologist, eye doctor Dermatologo/a Dermatologist Ortopedico/a Orthopedist Omeopata (m/f) Homeopath, expert in homeopathic remedies Ginecologo/a Gynecologist Ostetrico/a Obstetrician Urologo/a Urologist Farmacista (m/f) Pharmacist, chemist Igienista dentale (m/f) Dental hygienist Veterinario/a Vet Biologo/a Biologist
Sicurezza – Public safety
Italian English Poliziotto/a Policeman, cop Agente Police officer Carabiniere Carbineer Gendarme Policeman, police officer Guardia giurata Security guard Vigile del fuoco, pompiere Fireman Soldato / soldatessa Soldier Ispettore / ispettrice Inspector Investigatore / investigatrice Detective
Ristorazione – Food
Italian English Ristoratore / ristoratrice Restaurant owner, restaurateur Cuoco/a Cook, chef Capocuoco Head chef, executive chef, chef de cuisine Aiuto cuoco Chef’s assistant, assistant chef Capo partita Chef de partie, station chef Saucier (pronounced /sosje/) Sauté chef, saucier Pizzaiolo Pizza chef Sommelier Sommelier, wine steward Cameriere / cameriera Server, waiter/waitress Barista (m/f) Bartender, barman/barmaid
Settore legale – Legal
Italian English Avvocato Lawyer, attorney, solicitor Magistrato Magistrate Procuratore Attorney, lawyer, counselor Pubblico ministero, PM Prosecutor Ufficiale giudiziario Officer of justice Giudice Judge, magistrate Giudice di pace Justice of the peace, small claims judge
Business, ufficio – Business, office
Italian English Impiegato/a Office worker, clerk Direttore / direttrice Company director Centralinista (m/f) Telephone operator, switchboard operator Segretaria/o Secretary Ragioniere / ragioniera Accountant Venditore, commerciale Salesperson, sales rep Agente immobiliare (m/f) Real estate agent Manager (m/f) Manager Consulente (m/f) Consultant Contabile (m/f) Bookkeeper Commercialista (m/f) Accountant Notaio (m/f) Notary Esattore fiscale Tax collector Geometra (m/f) Surveyor Ingegnere (m/f) Engineer Imprenditore / imprenditrice Entrepreneur Banchiere / banchiera Banker Intermediario finanziario Stockbroker Architetto/a Architect Ricercatore / ricercatrice Researcher Programmatore / programmatrice Programmer Promotore / promotrice Promoter
Editoria – Publishing
Italian English Scrittore / scrittrice Writer Romanziere / romanziera Novelist Redattore / redattrice Editor Editore / editrice Publisher Traduttore / traduttrice Translator Correttore di bozze / correttrice di bozze Proofreader Giornalista (m/f) Journalist Pubblicista (m/f) Contributing editor Copywriter (m/f) Copywriter Interprete (m/f) Interpreter Illustratore / illustratrice Illustrator
Intrattenimento – Entertainment
Italian English Cantante (m/f) Singer Attore / attrice Actor/actress, Thespian, performer Drammaturgo/a Playwright Regista (m/f) Filmmaker Musicista (m/f) Musician, performer Pianista (m/f) Pianist Chitarrista (m/f) Guitarist, guitar player Sassofonista (m/f) Saxophonist Batterista (m/f) Drummer, percussionist Bassista (m/f) Bassist, bass player Compositore / compositrice Composer Ballerino/a Dancer Coreografo/a Choreographer Modello/a Model Presentatore / presentatrice Television presenter Cameraman Camera operator, cameraman Costumista (m/f) Costume designer Truccatore / truccatrice Makeup artist Disc jockey, DJ (m/f) Disc jockey
Arte – art
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Artista (m/f) | Artist |
| Scultore / scultrice | Sculptor |
| Pittore / pittrice | Painter |
| Restauratore / restauratrice | Art conservator |
| Critico/a d’arte | Art critic |
| Fotografo/a | Photographer |
| Designer (m/f) | Designer |
| Fumettista (m/f) | Cartoonist |
| Disegnatore / disegnatrice di cartoni animati | Animator |
Manual work
Italian English Operaio/a Manual worker, laborer Operatore edile, muratore construction worker, mason Artigiano/a Craftsman Imbianchino/a House painter Tecnico/a Technician repairman Meccanico Mechanic Elettricista Electrician Idraulico/a Plumber Falegname Carpenter, woodworker Calzolaio/a Shoemaker Giardiniere/a Gardener Fabbro Blacksmith Piastrellista Tiler, tile setter Tappezziere Upholsterer Marmista Marble worker Agricoltore, contadino/a Farmer Pescatore Fisherman Allevatore / allevatrice Breeder, farmer, cowman Minatore Miner
Trasporti – Transportation
Italian English Conducente di autobus Bus driver Macchinista Train driver Camionista, autotrasportatore Truck driver, lorry driver Taxista, tassista Cabdriver, taxi driver Pilota Pilot Corriere Courier Ferroviere Railway worker
Commercio – Commerce, trade
Italian English Negoziante (m/f) Shopkeeper Commerciante (m/f) Retailer, shopkeeper Commesso/a Sales assistant, shop assistant Cassiere/a Cashier Pasticciere / pasticciera Pastry chef, confectioner Fornaio/a, panettiere/a Baker Salumiere/a Grocer Fruttivendolo/a Greengrocer Macellaio/a Butcher Pescivendolo/a Fish seller Fioraio/a Florist Giornalaio/a, edicolante Newsstand, newsagent Gioielliere/a Jeweler Orefice Jewelry maker Ottico/a Optician Orologiaio/a Watchmaker Antiquario/a Antique dealer Parrucchiere/a Hairdresser Barbiere Barber Lattaio/a Milkman, milkwoman Libraio/a Bookseller Estetista Beautician, esthetician Lavandaio / lavandaia Laundryman / laundress
Turismo – Tourism
Italian English Agente di viaggi (m/f) Travel agent Guida turistica (m/f) Travel guide Accompagnatore turistico / accompagnatrice turistica Tour guide Guida alpina (m/f) Mountain guide Assistente di volo, hostess (f.), steward (m.) Flight attendant Programmatore turistico, travel organizer Travel organizer Responsabile del booking Booking manager Animatore / animatrice Holiday resort entertainer Bagnino/a, guardaspiaggia Lifeguard Receptionist Receptionist Travel designer Travel designer Affittacamere Landlord, landlady Travel blogger Travel blogger Skipper Skipper
Sport
Italian English Atleta (m/f) Athlete Allenatore / allenatrice Coach Personal trainer (m/f) Personal trainer Calciatore / calciatrice Footballer Cestista Basketball player Pallavolista Volleyball player Tennista Tennis player Sciatore Skier Pugile / pugilessa Boxer Pattinatore / pattinatrice Skater Pilota motociclistico Motorcycle racer Pilota automobilistico Racing driver Arbitro Referee, umpire
Other jobs
Italian English Educatore cinofilo / educatrice cinofila Dog trainer Astronauta Astronaut Astronomo Astronomer Sarto/a Tailor Postino/a, portalettere Postman/postwoman, mail carrier Blogger Blogger YouTuber YouTuber Bibliotecario/a Librarian Parroco, prete Priest Carceriere, secondino Jailer Maggiordomo Butler Cartomante Fortune-teller, card reader Usciere Doorman, usher Addetto/a alle pulizie Cleaner Operatore ecologico, netturbino Street cleaner Marinaio Sailor Politico/a Politician Senatore / senatrice Senator Tesoriere Treasurer Economista Economist Geologo/a Geologist Tuttofare Handyman Domestica, donna di servizio Maid Impresario funebre, becchino (informal) Undertaker Parcheggiatore Valet, car-parking attendant Badante Caregiver Pensionato/a Pensioner, retiree Studente / studentessa Student Casalinga Housewife Disoccupato/a Unemployed
More work-related terms in Italian
Beyond the above, there are a few other work-related terms in Italian that you may find useful. Here they are:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Socio/a | Partner, associate |
| Capo (m/f) | Boss |
| Cliente (m/f) | Client |
| Collega (m/f) | Colleague |
| Concorrente, competitor | Competitor |
| Partita IVA | VAT number |
| Ritenuta d’acconto | Withholding tax |
| Aumento di stipendio | Pay raise |
| Busta paga | Payroll |
| Giorno libero, giorno di riposo | Day off from work |
| Maternità, permesso di maternità | Maternity leave (time off work for a new mom) |
| Aspettativa | Leave, leave of absence |
| Contratto | Contract |
| Esperienza lavorativa | Work experience |
| Abilità | Skills |
| Assunzione | Hiring |
| Riunione | Meeting |
| Incarico | Task |
| Viaggio di lavoro | Business trip |
| Fare gli straordinari | To work overtime |
| Assumere | To hire |
| Dimettersi, rassegnare le dimissioni | To quit, to resign |
| Licenziare | To fire, to lay off |
| Andare in pensione | To retire |
| Sciopero | Strike |
| Sindacato | Trade-union |
| Agenzia delle Entrate | Italian Revenue Agency |
| IVA | VAT tax |
| INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale) | Social security service |
| Disoccupazione | Unemployment |
“Good Job” in Italian
Italian English Ottimo lavoro! Good job!, Well done! Buon lavoro! Have a nice day at work!
Well done on getting through this lesson! Now you have all the necessary tools to talk about your job properly in Italian. A presto!
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