Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Work-and-Professions
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Welcome to today's lesson on Standard Estonian Vocabulary related to Work and Professions! Understanding the vocabulary surrounding jobs and workplaces is essential, not only for day-to-day conversations but also for building relationships in a professional context. Whether you're planning to work in Estonia or just want to make small talk with locals, knowing the right words will help you navigate through various situations more smoothly.
In this lesson, we will cover a variety of topics related to work and professions, including:
- Common job titles in Estonian
- Workplace items you might encounter
- Typical tasks associated with different professions
- Questions to ask about jobs
This lesson is designed for complete beginners and will help you reach A1 level understanding. So, let’s dive in!
Common Job Titles
Let’s start by looking at some common job titles. Here’s a list of professions along with their Estonian translations and pronunciation to help you get started.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| arst | ɑrst | doctor |
| õpetaja | ˈʊpɛtɑjɑ | teacher |
| insener | ˈinsɛnɛr | engineer |
| raamatukoguhoidja | ˈrɑːmɑtʊkɔɡʊˈhɔidjɑ | librarian |
| müüja | ˈmyːjɑ | seller |
| kokk | kɔk | cook |
| juuksur | ˈjʊːksʊr | hairdresser |
| autojuht | ˈɑʊtɔjuht | driver |
| arendaja | ɑˈrɛn̥dɑjɑ | developer |
| koristaja | kɔˈristɑjɑ | cleaner |
| ajakirjanik | ɑjɑˈkiːrjɑnɪk | journalist |
| advokaat | ɑdʊˈvɔkɑːt | lawyer |
| teadlane | ˈteɑdlɑnɛ | scientist |
| elektriik | ɛˈlɛktriːk | electrician |
| kunstnik | ˈkʊnstnɪk | artist |
| arst | ɑrst | doctor |
| farmatseut | fɑrmɑˈtsɛʊt | pharmacist |
| turvamees | ˈtʊrvɑˌmeːs | security guard |
| müügiesindaja | ˈmyːɡiˌɛsindɑjɑ | sales representative |
| keemik | ˈkeːmɪk | chemist |
| toimetaja | ˈtɔɪmɛtɑjɑ | editor |
Workplace Items
Now that you’ve learned some job titles, let’s explore common workplace items. Knowing the tools and materials associated with various professions will help you engage in conversations about work more easily.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| arvuti | ˈɑrvʊti | computer |
| telefon | ˈtɛlɛfɔn | telephone |
| laud | lɑʊd | table |
| tool | tɔːl | tool |
| printer | ˈprintɛr | printer |
| raamat | ˈrɑːmɑt | book |
| paber | ˈpɑbɛr | paper |
| kirjutusvahend | ˈkiːrɪtʊsˌvɑhɛnd | writing instrument |
| fail | fɑil | file |
| kaust | kɑʊst | folder |
| märkmed | ˈmɛrk.mɛd | notes |
| kott | kɔt | bag |
| kleebis | ˈkleːbis | sticker |
| märk | mɑrk | mark |
| kalkulaator | kɑlkʊˈlɑːtɔr | calculator |
| projektor | prɔˈjɛktɔr | projector |
| monitor | ˈmɔnɪtɔr | monitor |
| silt | silt | label |
| klaviatuur | klɑviˈɑtuːr | keyboard |
| fotokamera | ˈfɔtʊˌkɑmɛrɑ | camera |
| tööriist | ˈtøːriːst | tool |
Common Tasks
Next, let’s discuss some common tasks associated with various professions. This vocabulary will help you describe what you or others do at work.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kirjutamine | ˈkiːrʲʊtɑˌmɪnɛ | writing |
| lugemine | ˈluːɡɛmɪnɛ | reading |
| müümine | ˈmyːmɪnɛ | selling |
| õpetamine | ˈʊpɛtɑmɪnɛ | teaching |
| arendamine | ˈɑrɛndɑmɪnɛ | developing |
| joonistamine | ˈjoːnɪstɑˌmɪnɛ | drawing |
| analüüsimine | ɑnɑˈlyːzɪmɪnɛ | analyzing |
| aruandmine | ˈɑrʊˌɒndmɪnɛ | reporting |
| koostamine | ˈkɔːstɑmɪnɛ | compiling |
| juhtimine | ˈjuːhtɪmɪnɛ | managing |
| töötamine | ˈtøːtɑmɪnɛ | working |
| suhtlemine | ˈsuːhtlɛmɪnɛ | communicating |
| planeerimine | plɑˈnɛːrɪmɪnɛ | planning |
| uurimine | ˈuːrɪmɪnɛ | researching |
| kohtumine | ˈkɔhtʊmɪnɛ | meeting |
| koostöö | ˈkɔːstʊː | collaboration |
| hindamine | ˈhɪndɑmɪnɛ | evaluating |
| teenindamine | ˈteːnɪndɑmɪnɛ | servicing |
| korraldamine | ˈkɔrɑldɑmɪnɛ | organizing |
| dokumenteerimine | dɔkʊmɛnˈtɛːrɪmɪnɛ | documenting |
| kogumine | ˈkɔɡʊmɪnɛ | gathering |
Talking About Your Job
Now that you have a solid foundation in vocabulary, let’s practice how to talk about your job. Here are some useful phrases:
- "Minu amet on..." (My job is...)
- "Ma töötan [profession]ina." (I work as a [profession].)
- "Ma teen [task]." (I do [task].)
- "Ma armastan oma tööd." (I love my job.)
- "Ma töötan [company]is." (I work at [company].)
For example:
- "Minu amet on õpetaja." (My job is a teacher.)
- "Ma töötan insenerina." (I work as an engineer.)
- "Ma teen analüüsimist." (I do analysis.)
- "Ma armastan oma tööd." (I love my job.)
- "Ma töötan IT-firmas." (I work at an IT company.)
Asking About Others' Jobs
Equally important is knowing how to ask others about their jobs. Here are some phrases you can use:
- "Mis on teie amet?" (What is your job?)
- "Kus te töötate?" (Where do you work?)
- "Mida te teete?" (What do you do?)
- "Kas teile meeldib teie töö?" (Do you like your job?)
- "Milline on teie töö?" (What is your job like?)
For example:
- "Mis on teie amet?" (What is your job?)
- "Kus te töötate?" (Where do you work?)
- "Mida te teete?" (What do you do?)
- "Kas teile meeldib teie töö?" (Do you like your job?)
- "Milline on teie töö?" (What is your job like?)
Practice Exercises
Now that we've covered a lot of information, it's time to put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!
Exercise 1: Match the Job Titles
Match the Estonian job titles with their English equivalents.
1. arst
2. õpetaja
3. insener
4. müüja
5. juuksur
Answers:
1. doctor
2. teacher
3. engineer
4. seller
5. hairdresser
Exercise 2: Translate the Workplace Items
Translate the following workplace items from English to Estonian.
1. computer
2. printer
3. notes
4. table
5. folder
Answers:
1. arvuti
2. printer
3. märkmed
4. laud
5. kaust
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in Estonian.
1. Ma _______ (töötama) insenerina.
2. Me _______ (arendama) uut projekti.
3. Ta _______ (müümine) raamatuid.
Answers:
1. töötan
2. arendame
3. müüb
Exercise 4: Create Sentences
Using the vocabulary learned, create sentences to describe your job.
Example:
- "Minu amet on kokk ja ma teen toitu." (My job is a cook, and I make food.)
Exercise 5: Role Play
Pair up with a classmate and practice asking and answering questions about jobs using phrases learned in the lesson.
Example:
- A: "Mis on teie amet?"
- B: "Minu amet on õpetaja."
Exercise 6: Vocabulary Quiz
Fill in the blanks with the correct Estonian words.
1. _______ (arvuti) on töölaual. (The _______ is on the desk.)
2. Ma _______ (kirjutama) märkmeid. (I _______ notes.)
Answers:
1. Arvuti
2. kirjutan
Exercise 7: Listening Comprehension
Listen to a recorded conversation about jobs and answer the following questions:
1. What job does the first speaker have?
2. Where does the second speaker work?
Answers will depend on the audio content provided.
Exercise 8: Crossword Puzzle
Create a crossword puzzle using the vocabulary from this lesson.
Exercise 9: Categorize the Words
Categorize the following words into jobs, tasks, and workplace items.
Words: arst, kirjutamine, printer, õpetaja, lugemine, laud.
Answers:
- Jobs: arst, õpetaja
- Tasks: kirjutamine, lugemine
- Workplace items: printer, laud
Exercise 10: Write a Short Paragraph
Write a short paragraph about your job using at least five vocabulary words from this lesson.
Example:
- "Minu amet on ________. Ma töötan _________. Ma ________ ________ ja ________."
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this lesson on Standard Estonian Vocabulary related to Work and Professions! You’ve learned essential vocabulary that will help you talk about jobs, understand workplace items, and communicate effectively in various professional contexts. Remember to practice regularly and use these new words in your conversations!
Other Lessons
- Eating Out
- Days, months and seasons
- Animals
- Daily Routine
- Transportation and travel
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Numbers and counting
- Basic Phrases
- Family
- Days of the Week
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