Comprehensive English-German Vocational and Job Application Vocabulary Guide

General Travel and Workplace Vocabulary

  • high-speed train [haispi:d 'trein]

    • German Translation: Hochgeschwindigkeitszug
    • Usage / Definition: High-velocity passenger rail service.

  • workplace ['w3:kpleis]

    • German Translation: Arbeitsplatz
    • Usage / Definition: Location where an employee performs tasks and duties.

  • travel agency (sg) / travel agencies (pl) ['trævl_eid3nsi]

    • German Translation: Reisebüro
    • Grammar Note: Singular travel agency, plural travel agencies.

  • tip [tip]

    • German Translation: Trinkgeld
    • Usage / Definition: Gratuitous sum of money given for service rendered.

  • to catch the train/bus [kætʃ ðǝ 'trein/'bas]

    • German Translation: den Zug/Bus nehmen
    • Usage / Definition: Verb phrase meaning to board public transportation in time.

  • to calm sb down [ka:m 'daʊn]

    • German Translation: jdn beruhigen
    • Usage / Definition: Phrasal verb meaning to cause someone to become quiet or peaceful.

  • gift shop ['gift ʃpp]

    • German Translation: Geschenkartikelladen
    • Usage / Definition: Retail establishment selling souvenirs and gift items.

  • to be in a hurry [bi_in_ǝ 'h^ri]

    • German Translation: es eilig haben
    • Usage / Definition: Expression indicating a state of needing to act quickly or urgently.

  • tidy ['taidi]

    • German Translation: ordentlich
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective describing neat, well-ordered environments or habits.

  • negative ['negǝtiv]

    • German Translation: negativ; schlecht
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective indicating unfavourable, adverse, or pessimistic characteristics.

Section A: Job Skills

  • unknown [^n'nəʊn]

    • German Translation: unbekannt
    • Usage / Definition: Not known, unfamiliar, or unidentified.

  • accountant [ǝ'kauntǝnt]

    • German Translation: Buchhalter/-in
    • Usage / Definition: Professional responsible for inspecting and maintaining financial records.

  • train driver ['trein_draivǝ]

    • German Translation: Lokführer/-in
    • Usage / Definition: Professional operating rail locomotives.

  • guard ['ga:d]

    • German Translation: Schaffner/-in
    • Usage / Definition: Rail attendant responsible for passenger safety and fare checking.

  • to be unsure about [bi_An'ʃo:r_ǝ_baʊt]

    • German Translation: sich einer Sache nicht sicher sein
    • Usage / Definition: Expression of doubt or lack of certainty regarding a matter.

  • working hours (pl) [w3:kiŋ 'aʊǝz]

    • German Translation: Arbeitszeit
    • Grammar Note: Plural noun phrase representing the period spent working during a day or week.

  • pay [per]

    • German Translation: Bezahlung; Gehalt
    • Usage / Definition: Financial compensation given for labour or services.

  • placement ['pleismǝnt]

    • German Translation: Job; Stelle
    • Usage / Definition: Employment role, temporary job, or internship assignment.

  • to make an appointment [meik_ǝn_ǝ'pointmǝnt]

    • German Translation: einen Termin ausmachen
    • Usage / Definition: Collocation meaning to arrange a specific meeting time.

  • supplies (pl) [sǝ'plaiz]

    • German Translation: Material; Vorrat
    • Grammar Note: Plural noun representing materials or stock kept available for use.

  • somewhere ['sAmweǝ]

    • German Translation: irgendwo
    • Usage / Definition: Adverb denoting an unspecified or unknown location.

  • to discover [di'skavǝ]

    • German Translation: entdecken
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to gain knowledge or sight of something for the first time.

  • challenging ['tʃælindzin]

    • German Translation: herausfordernd
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective describing tasks requiring high exertion, effort, or skill.

  • to break down [breik 'daun]

    • German Translation: liegen bleiben
    • Usage / Definition: Phrasal verb referring to mechanical failure in vehicles or equipment.

  • to keep out of sth [ki:p 'aut_ǝv]

    • German Translation: sich aus etw raushalten
    • Usage / Definition: Idiom for staying uninvolved or detached from a situation or dispute.

  • waste of time [weist_ǝv 'taim]

    • German Translation: Zeitverschwendung
    • Usage / Definition: Unproductive activity or expenditure of time without value.

  • via [vaiǝ]

    • German Translation: per; über
    • Usage / Definition: Preposition indicating path, routing, or method of transmission.

  • outdoors (adv) [aut'dɔ:z]

    • German Translation: draußen
    • Grammar Note: Adverb meaning in or into the open air.

  • on one's own [Dn wanz_ǝʊn]

    • German Translation: allein; selbst
    • Usage / Definition: Expression indicating independence, solitude, or unassisted effort.

  • communication skills (pl) [ka,mju:nı'keifn,skilz]

    • German Translation: kommunikative Fähigkeit
    • Grammar Note: Plural noun phrase referring to capabilities in conveying information effectively.

  • freight forwarding clerk [freit 'fɔ:wǝdin,kla:k]

    • German Translation: Speditionskaufmann/-frau
    • Usage / Definition: Professional managing shipping logistics and cargo operations.

Section B: A Typical Day

  • daily routine [deili ru:'ti:n]

    • German Translation: Tagesablauf; Alltagsroutine
    • Usage / Definition: Regular, repeated set of activities performed every day.

  • car rental agent [ka: 'rentl_eid3nt]

    • German Translation: Autovermieter/-in
    • Usage / Definition: Customer service representative managing vehicle hire services.

  • car rental agency (sg) / car rental agencies (pl) [ka: 'rentl_eid3nsi]

    • German Translation: Autovermietung
    • Grammar Note: Singular car rental agency, plural car rental agencies.

  • colleague ['koli:g]

    • German Translation: Arbeitskollege/-kollegin
    • Usage / Definition: Fellow associate or co-worker in a professional organization.

  • rental car [rentl 'ka:]

    • German Translation: Mietauto
    • Usage / Definition: Automobile hired temporarily by customers.

  • to work shifts (pl) [w3:k 'ſifts]

    • German Translation: Schicht arbeiten
    • Grammar Note: Verb phrase involving plural noun shifts, indicating work across varied scheduled time periods.

  • to do sports [du: 'spɔ:ts]

    • German Translation: Sport machen
    • Usage / Definition: Expression for engaging in physical exercise or athletic games.

Section C: Writing an Application

  • application [æpli'keiſn]

    • German Translation: Bewerbung
    • Usage / Definition: Formal written request for employment, entry, or funding.

  • letter of application [letǝr_ǝv_æpli'keifn]

    • German Translation: Bewerbungsschreiben
    • Usage / Definition: Cover letter detailing suitability sent along with a CV.

  • CV (= curriculum vitae) [si:'vi: (kǝrikjələm 'vi:tai)]

    • German Translation: Lebenslauf
    • Usage / Definition: Document summarizing education, career experience, and qualifications.

  • advert (= advertisement) ['ædv3:rt (ad'v3:tismǝnt)]

    • German Translation: Anzeige
    • Usage / Definition: Public announcement in print or digital media advertising job vacancies.

  • retail assistant ['ri:teil_ǝsistnt]

    • German Translation: Einzelhandelskaufmann/-frau
    • Usage / Definition: Store employee handling sales, customer service, and stock management.

  • position [pǝ'ziſn]

    • German Translation: Stelle; Job
    • Usage / Definition: Specific job post or official role in a workplace.

  • apprentice [ǝ'prentis]

    • German Translation: Auszubildende/-r
    • Usage / Definition: Learner working under instruction to master a trade or career.

  • firsthand experience [f3:sthænd_ik'spiǝriǝns]

    • German Translation: Erfahrung aus erster Hand
    • Usage / Definition: Direct personal involvement or practical knowledge.

  • to lift [lift]

    • German Translation: (hoch) heben
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to raise upwards physically.

  • space [speis]

    • German Translation: Raum; Platz
    • Usage / Definition: Physical capacity, room, or open area available.

  • driving licence ['draivin,laisns]

    • German Translation: Führerschein
    • Usage / Definition: Official legal permit to operate motor vehicles.

  • apprenticeship [ǝ'prentisfip]

    • German Translation: Ausbildung; Lehre
    • Usage / Definition: Program offering structured on-the-job training and study.

  • fixed-term contract [fikst t3:m 'kontrækt]

    • German Translation: befristeter Vertrag
    • Usage / Definition: Employment agreement with a specified, predetermined end date.

  • to greet [gri:t]

    • German Translation: begrüßen
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to welcome or acknowledge someone on arrival.

  • to direct sb to sth [di'rekt]

    • German Translation: jdm den Weg zu etw zeigen
    • Usage / Definition: Phrase meaning to guide or provide directions to a destination.

  • to distribute sth to sb [dr'stribju:t]

    • German Translation: etw an jdn verteilen
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to allocate or hand out items to specific recipients.

  • mail (no pl) [meil]

    • German Translation: Post
    • Grammar Note: Uncountable noun (no pl).

  • manners (pl) ['mænǝz]

    • German Translation: Manieren
    • Grammar Note: Plural noun referring to social behavior and polite conduct.

  • formally (adv) ['fɔ:mli]

    • German Translation: förmlich
    • Grammar Note: Adverb specifying behavior or language in accordance with formal etiquette.

  • passion [pæfn]

    • German Translation: Leidenschaft
    • Usage / Definition: Strong, powerful enthusiasm for a subject or task.

  • technical know-how [teknikl 'nǝuhaʊ]

    • German Translation: technisches Verständnis
    • Usage / Definition: Specialized practical skill and technical understanding.

  • requirement [ri'kwalǝmǝnt]

    • German Translation: Voraussetzung
    • Usage / Definition: Prerequisite qualification or compulsory condition for employment.

  • secondary school (p. 19) ['sekǝndri,sku:1]

    • German Translation: weiterführende Schule
    • Page Reference: p. 19
    • Usage / Definition: Educational institution following primary education.

  • qualification [kwplifi'keifn]

    • German Translation: Qualifikation; Prüfung; Abschluss
    • Usage / Definition: Official certification of successful completion of training or exams.

  • GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) [dzi:si:es'i:]

    • German Translation: allgemeiner Abschluss der weiterführenden Schulen in GB
    • Usage / Definition: Standard British academic qualification taken around age 16.

  • advertised ['ædvǝtaizd]

    • German Translation: ausgeschrieben (Stelle, Job)
    • Usage / Definition: Past participle adjective describing jobs made publicly known to jobseekers.

  • to qualify for sth ['kwòlıfaι fɔ:]

    • German Translation: für etw geeignet sein; sich für etw qualifizieren
    • Usage / Definition: Verb phrase meaning to meet required conditions or standards for a role.

  • to fix [fiks]

    • German Translation: reparieren
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to repair or restore damaged items to working order.

  • knowledge (no pl) ['ndlid3]

    • German Translation: Wissen
    • Grammar Note: Uncountable noun (no pl).

  • to train (in a company) [trein]

    • German Translation: eine Ausbildung machen (in einem Unternehmen)
    • Usage / Definition: Verb phrase specifying vocational preparation within a corporate setting.

  • personal data [pзsnl 'deitǝ]

    • German Translation: persönliche Daten
    • Usage / Definition: Individual identifying information featured in job application documents.

  • available upon request [ǝveilǝbl_ǝpon ri'kwest]

    • German Translation: auf Anfrage verfügbar
    • Usage / Definition: Application standard phrase indicating details (e.g. references) will be provided if asked.

  • award [ǝ'wɔ:d]

    • German Translation: Preis; Auszeichnung
    • Usage / Definition: Formal recognition, prize, or honor given for merit or success.

  • to include [in'klu:d]

    • German Translation: einschließen; beinhalten
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to contain as a component within a whole.

Video Lounge: Doing a Good Job Interview

  • suitable ['su:tǝbl]

    • German Translation: passend; geeignet
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective meaning appropriate, qualified, or fit for a specific purpose.

  • spicy ['spaisi]

    • German Translation: würzig; scharf
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective describing piquant or heavily seasoned food.

  • to mention ['men[n]

    • German Translation: erwähnen
    • Usage / Definition: Verb meaning to refer to or state briefly during conversation.

  • impression [im'prefn]

    • German Translation: Eindruck
    • Usage / Definition: Mental idea or perception formed about someone during an interaction.

  • vocational college [vǝkeifnl 'kolidz]

    • German Translation: Berufsschule
    • Usage / Definition: Educational institution teaching specialized practical trades and technical skills.

  • traineeship [trer'ni:ſip]

    • German Translation: Ausbildung; Praktikum
    • Usage / Definition: Structured practical training period within an enterprise.

  • trainee [trer'ni:]

    • German Translation: Auszubildender/Auszubildende; Praktikant/-in
    • Usage / Definition: Individual undertaking vocational learning and practical experience.

  • several ['sevrl]

    • German Translation: einige; mehrere; verschiedene
    • Usage / Definition: Determiner indicating more than two but not many items or people.

  • I don't mind [ar,dǝunt 'maind]

    • German Translation: Es ist mir egal
    • Usage / Definition: Conversational phrase expressing neutrality or lack of objection.

Section D: Preparing for a Job Interview

  • to be related to [bi ri'lertid tǝ]

    • German Translation: in Zusammenhang stehen; mit etw zu tun haben
    • Usage / Definition: Verb phrase meaning connected with or linked to a topic or person.

  • pregnant ['pregnǝnt]

    • German Translation: schwanger
    • Usage / Definition: Expecting a child; relevant in employment interview legislation.

  • to hike [haik]

    • German Translation: wandern
    • Usage / Definition: Verb for outdoor walking for recreation or sport.

  • vacant ['veiknt]

    • German Translation: frei
    • Usage / Definition: Adjective describing unfilled, available job positions.