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 |
|---|
| Di cosa ti occupi? (informal) | What do you do?
|
| Di cosa si occupa? (formal) | What do you do? |
| Cosa fai nella vita? (informal) | What do you do for a living? |
| Cosa fa nella vita? (formal) | What do you do for a living? |
| Che lavoro fai? (informal) | What’s your job? |
| Che lavoro fa? (formal) | What’s your job? |
| Qual è la tua professione? (informal) | What’s your profession? |
| Qual è la Sua professione? (formal) | What’s your profession? |
| In che settore lavori? (informal) | What field do you work in? |
| In che settore lavora? (formal) | What field do you work in? |
| Dove lavori? (informal) | Where do you work? |
| Dove lavora? (formal) | Where do you work? |
| Che lavoro ti piacerebbe fare da grande? | What would you like to be when you grow up? |
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:
- Faccio (literally: I do) + definite article + the name of your occupation;
- Sono... (I am) + indefinite article + the name of your occupation.
| 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!
