Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| werk | /ʋɛrk/ | neuter |
| job | /dʒɔp/ | feminine |
| arbeid | /ˈɑrbɛi̯t/ | masculine |
The term refers to labour, employment, occupation or a job. The related verb werken means to do a specific task, while bewerkstelligen means to cause something to happen, such as to produce or motivate.
Which one should you use?
The neuter noun werk is typically used for the general concept of work or an uncountable mass of labor. In contrast, job is a feminine noun used to refer to a specific position or role.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, job is used instead of werk when speaking informally. In some specific regions, arbeid is occasionally preferred over werk.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because job is a feminine noun, its plural form is jobs and it uses the definite article de (de jobs).
How do you pronounce it?
/ʋɛrk/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid confusing the noun werk with the verb werken. Remember that werk is the thing you do and werken is the action of doing it.
Did you know?
- If you use the word werk to describe a piece of art, such as 'een werk van Mozart', it takes on a much more profound and creative meaning than a simple task.
- The Dutch word werk is an ancient relative of the English 'work', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *wérǵom.
- In Dutch, the phrase aan het werk is used as an exclamation to tell someone to 'get to work' or start a task.
Examples in context
- Ik werk voor u.I work for you.This sentence is useful for saying 'I work' using the form werk.Tatoeba #825434 by Citrine, translation #825428 by sundown
- Werk je met Tom?Do you work with Tom?This sentence is useful for asking if someone works with a specific person using the form werk.Tatoeba #7447601 by MarijnKp, translation #3405344 by CK
- U werkt te veel.You work too much.This sentence is useful for stating that someone works too much using the form werk.Tatoeba #7814725 by MarijnKp, translation #454444 by CM
- Ik ben op zoek naar werk.I am looking for work.
- Hij heeft een nieuwe baan gevonden.He has found a new job.
- Ik heb een nieuwe job.I have a new job.
- Hij doet wat werkjes om wat extra geld te verdienen.He is doing some odd jobs to earn some extra money.
- Ik moet naar mijn job.I have to go to my job.
- Hij verricht arbeid in de bouwsector.He works in the construction industry.
- 1057 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Levi are talking about their daily schedules.
- JuliaHoe is het op je werk?How is it at your work?
- LeviHet is erg druk vandaag, Julia.It is very busy today, Julia.
- JuliaHeb je veel werk deze week?Do you have a lot of work this week?
- LeviJa, ik moet morgen vroeg beginnen.Yes, I have to start early tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “work” translations and entries werk, job, arbeid, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arbeid, job, werk, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
