work
The German word arbeite means to work.
This phrase is used to describe engaging in physical or mental effort to achieve a result or to earn money. For example, you can say Ich arbeite to express "I work".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian dialects, the regional variation Ich hackl is used instead of the standard German forms.
How does it change in a sentence?
arbeite is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb arbeiten. Other conjugations of this verb include Du arbeitest (you work) and Er/sie/es arbeitet (he/she/it works).
Did you know?
- In Germany, if a coworker says Feierabend when they stop working, they are not talking about a holiday. It literally means 'celebration evening' and refers to the moment the workday ends.
- The phrase Arbeit macht frei is a notorious slogan from the Nazi era used in concentration camps. Because of this, the word Arbeit carries a heavy, sensitive historical weight in Germany.
- The English word 'elaborate' shares a linguistic root with Arbeit and originally meant 'to carve'.
Examples in context
- Ich arbeite gerne im Büro.I enjoy working in the office.
- Ich schaffe heute bis spät in die Nacht.I'm working until late tonight.
- I moag etz nimmer redn, i muaß jetz hackln.I don't want to talk anymore, I have to work now.
