German Verbs: **Arbeiten**
Introduction
The German verb "arbeiten" means "to work" and is used to talk about job-related activities, tasks, and professions. It is an essential verb in both formal and informal contexts, making it a crucial part of everyday communication.
Conjugation of "Arbeiten"
Present Tense
The present tense of "arbeiten" is used to describe current actions or routines.
| Person | Conjugation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ich | arbeite | Ich arbeite im Büro. (I work in the office.) |
| Du | arbeitest | Du arbeitest viel. (You work a lot.) |
| Er/Sie/Es | arbeitet | Sie arbeitet als Lehrerin. (She works as a teacher.) |
| Wir | arbeiten | Wir arbeiten gemeinsam. (We work together.) |
| Ihr | arbeitet | Ihr arbeitet heute spät. (You all work late today.) |
| Sie/sie | arbeiten | Sie arbeiten an einem Projekt. (They are working on a project.) |
Past Tense (Simple)
The simple past tense of "arbeiten" is often used in written narratives or formal speech.
| Person | Conjugation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ich | arbeitete | Ich arbeitete gestern bis spät. (I worked late yesterday.) |
| Du | arbeitetest | Du arbeitetest an dem Bericht. (You worked on the report.) |
| Er/Sie/Es | arbeitete | Er arbeitete in einer Fabrik. (He worked in a factory.) |
| Wir | arbeiteten | Wir arbeiteten den ganzen Tag. (We worked all day.) |
| Ihr | arbeitetet | Ihr arbeitetet letztes Wochenende. (You all worked last weekend.) |
| Sie/sie | arbeiteten | Sie arbeiteten zusammen. (They worked together.) |
Usage and Examples
Common Expressions with "Arbeiten"
- an einem Projekt arbeiten: to work on a project
- Wir arbeiten an einem neuen Projekt. (We are working on a new project.)
- freiberuflich arbeiten: to work freelance
- Er arbeitet freiberuflich als Journalist. (He works freelance as a journalist.)
- überstunden machen: to work overtime
- Ich muss heute überstunden machen. (I have to work overtime today.)
Arbeiten in Different Contexts
- Professional Setting:
- Collaborative Work:
- Freelance and Remote Work:
- Past Work Experience:
Key Points to Remember
- "Arbeiten" is a regular verb, but it has a slight spelling change in some forms due to pronunciation (e.g., "arbeitest," "arbeitet").
- It is commonly used to describe both the nature of work and specific tasks or projects.
- The verb can be combined with various prepositions to convey different meanings, such as "an" for working on something or "bei" for working at a place.
Conclusion
The verb "arbeiten" is fundamental in discussing work-related topics, whether describing your job, a project, or collaborative efforts. Understanding its conjugation and usage will help you communicate effectively in professional and everyday situations in German.