What are the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian with articles, Pronunciation, origin of words and with tons of examples?
It is likely that whenever we meet someone, they will ask you about your job and what you are doing. Would it not be nice if you could answer your occupation in Italian? For saying this, you need to know the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian. In this blog, you will learn to say about your profession or ask about someone’s occupation / job in Italian. The below are the main topics which we will cover as a part of this blog.
- What is the terminology for “Occupation” and “Profession” in Italian?
- What are the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian with articles and Pronunciation?
- Gender of professions / occupations / jobs in Italians
Introduction to the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian with gender.
THE INFORMAL WAY OF ASKING ONE’S OCCUPATION:
- One of the first questions (sadly which is impolite in many cultures and also Italy) which a few Italian people ask is “Che lavoro fai?” Or “what is your job?” in Italian.
- So you better learn the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian.
- In this blog, you will learn to say about your profession or ask about someone’s occupation / job in Italian.
- If you’re to ever learn Italian properly, or if you want to live and work in Italy, you better get to know the terms for List of Occupations and Professions in Italian.
THE FORMAL WAY OF ASKING ONE’S OCCUPATION:
- Most Italian people are guarded when they ask one’s profession as it is personal.
- Asking someone about their profession is one of the most common things to do when making small talk in most countries but not in Italy or in fact most of Europe.
- The people will prefix / end the question with “Se non sono indiscreto/a…”, which in English translates to “If you don’t mind me asking …”.
- If you are being asked the question, you can respond with:
- Faccio ( I do) + definite article + the name of your occupation;
- (I am) + indefinite article + the name of your occupation.
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian – PROFESSION AND GENDER
It’s of course quite near impossible to list all possible professions, but there are some common ones and the rules that you should know.
- Even if a few of the Italian profession names change depending on their genders, there are some professions that just don’t change.
- For example the names ending in ista which is like “il farmacista-la farmacista, il fisioterapista-la fisioterapista” etc..
Fun wordlists to conder
Can you teach me some interesting vocabulary related to occupation in Italian?
You need to know some vocabulary related to Italian professions in order to speak sentences properly. Also this will help you understand when people talk about their jobs and their daily life.
| Italian | English |
| Lavoro | Job |
| Impiego | Job, employment |
| Professione | Profession |
| Occupazione | Occupation |
| Mestiere | Profession, vocation, job |
| Carriera | Career |
| Azienda, impresa, ditta | Company |
| Startup | Startup |
| Stipendio | Salary |
| Datore di lavoro | Employer |
| (Lavoratore) dipendente | Employee |
| Libero professionista | Freelance, self-employed |
| Centro per l’impiego, ufficio di collocamento | Job centre |
| Opportunità di lavoro | Job vacancy |
| Curriculum vitae, curriculum, CV | Résumé, CV |
| Lettera di accompagnamento | Cover letter |
| Colloquio di lavoro, colloquio conoscitivo | Job interview |
| Tirocinio, stage (pronounced /staʒ/) | Internship |
| Stagista | Trainee |
| Formazione | Training |
| Lavoro temporaneo / a tempo determinato / parasubordinato | Temporary role |
| Lavoro stagionale | Seasonal work |
| Lavoro occasionale | Occasional work |
| Lavoro su turni | Shift work |
| Lavoro autonomo (in proprio) | To be self-employed, to work as a freelancer |
| Lavoro dipendente a tempo indeterminato | Permanent work, permanent contract |
| Volontariato | Voluntary work |
| Italian | English |
| Lavoro | Job |
| Impiego | Job, employment |
| Professione | Profession |
List of Professions in Italian or List of Occupations in Italian
There are so many types of jobs in the world that is becomes nigh impossible to list them. However, it is fair to say that there is a common List of Professions in Italian or List of Occupations in Italian.
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to the Education Industry
Teachers are the first people we meet in our life whose profession we understand. They are the first people who we understand have a job. So to do them service, I shall begin with them my list of Occupations and Professions in Italian.
There are so many types of teacher and professors. Let us go through the list now.
| Italian | English | English | Italian |
| Insegnante (m/f) | Teacher, instructor | I like my teacher | Mi piace il mio insegnante |
| Professore / professoressa | Teacher, professor | My professor is very intelligent. | Il mio professore è molto intelligente. |
| Maestro/a | Elementary school teacher | His mother is an elementary school teacher | Sua madre è un Maestro. |
| Maestro/a d’asilo | Kindergarten teacher | The young girl likes her kindergarten teacher. | Alla ragazza piace la sua maestra d’asilo. |
| Educatore / educatrice | Educator, teacher | The president was an Educator in 1981. | Il presidente era un educatore nel 1981. |
| Docente universitario | Lecturer | Lulu was a famous Lecturer in Mathematics. | Lulu era un famoso Docente di Matematica. |
| Tutor (m/f) | Tutor | I am searching for a Tutor. | Sto cercando un Tutor. |
| Preside (m/f) | Principal, headmaster, school supervisor | The Principal is quite strict. | Il preside è piuttosto severo. |
| Decano / Rettore (m/f) | Dean, chancellor | The Dean is bored. | Il Decano è annoiato. |
| Custode / Bidello/a | Janitor, custodian | The janitor is very old. | Il custode è molto vecchio. |
The doctor and nurses who save the world
The medical profession is vast and very complex. As a kid, you would have heard only of “Doctor”. When you are slightly older, you hear of the word “Surgeon”. When you are much older, you come to know of the huuuuge doctor related list of Occupations and Professions in Italian.
Of course, at some point in your life you’re going to have to run in to a hospital or come across a doctor. So it is best if you memorize the list of Occupations and Professions in Italian which are in relation to doctors.
I am not going to give examples as this would be overwhelming and highly complicated. Let us try and get this list down J
| Italian | English |
| Medico (m/f) | Doctor |
| Dottore / dottoressa | Doctor |
| Infermiere/a | Nurse |
| Chirurgo (m/f) | Surgeon |
| Paramedico | Paramedic |
| Psicologo/a | Psychologist |
| Psicoterapeuta (m/f) | Psychotherapist |
| Psichiatra (m/f) | Psychiatrist |
| Neurologo/a | Neurologist |
| Pediatra (m/f) | Pediatrician |
| Cardiologo/a | Cardiologist |
| Radiologo/a | Radiologist |
| Dentista, odontoiatra (m/f) | Dentist |
| Oculista (m/f) | Ophthalmologist, eye doctor |
| Dermatologo/a | Dermatologist |
| Ortopedico/a | Orthopedist |
| Omeopata (m/f) | Homeopath, expert in homeopathic remedies |
| Ginecologo/a | Gynecologist |
| Ostetrico/a | Obstetrician |
| Urologo/a | Urologist |
| Farmacista (m/f) | Pharmacist, chemist |
| Igienista dentale (m/f) | Dental hygienist |
| Veterinario/a | Vet |
| Biologo/a | Biologist |
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to pulic service officers
The people in this list lay their lives in order to ensure that we are safe and get a good night’s sleep. These are of course the soldiers / firemen / the guards and many more. This list of Occupations and Professions in Italian is something that you need to absolutely memorize. You will need to call the police many times in your life. You will need to respect a soldier, praise a fireman and many more. How can you do those without knowing the proper vocabulary for that?
| Italian | English | English | Italian |
| Poliziotto/a | Policeman, cop | The policeman caught the thief. | Il poliziotto ha catturato il ladro. |
| Agente | Police officer | I want to be a Police officer. | Voglio essere un agente di polizia. |
| Carabiniere | Carbineer | The Carbineer was very rich. | Il Carabiniere era molto ricco. |
| Guardia giurata | Security guard | The security guard was born in Germany. | La guardia di sicurezza è nata in Germania. |
| Vigile del fuoco, pompiere | Fireman | I married a Fireman. | Ho sposato un pompiere. |
| Soldato / soldatessa | Soldier | The soldier was very brave. | Il soldato è stato molto coraggioso. |
| Ispettore / ispettrice | Inspector | The Inspector is forty years old. | L’ispettore ha quarant’anni. |
| Investigatore / detective | Detective | The detective is very clever | Il detective è molto intelligente |
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to the Food industry
The people in this list are the main reason why we don’t go hungry and of course remain healthy!!! These warriors are of course the people from the food and restaurant industry… This list of Occupations and Professions in Italian needs to be memorized by all.
You will go to restaurants almost every week / month. You will need to request for service. How can you do those without knowing the proper vocabulary for that?
| Italian | English | English | Italian |
| Ristoratore / ristoratrice | Restaurant owner, restaurateur | The restaurant owner is from Sicily. | Il proprietario del ristorante è siciliano. |
| Cuoco/a | Cook, chef | The king gave a 100 coins to the Cook. | Il re diede 100 monete al cuoco. |
| Capocuoco / capo chef | Head chef, executive chef, chef de cuisine | The Head chef of the Marriot is Jean Pierre. | Il capo chef del Marriott è Jean Pierre. |
| Aiuto cuoco / assistente chef | Chef’s assistant, assistant chef | I am the assistant chef in Marrot. | Sono l’assistente chef di Marrot. |
| Capo partita | Chef de partie, station chef | The Chef de partie is very angry. | Il Capo partita è molto arrabbiato. |
| Saucier (pronounced /sosje/) | Sauté chef, saucier | The saucier is very generous. | Il saucier è molto generoso. |
| Pizzaiolo | Pizza chef | The Pizza chef is the most important person in a Pizzeria. | Il Pizzaiolo è la persona più importante in una Pizzeria. |
| Sommelier | Sommelier, wine steward | A wine steward should not be clumsy. | Un Sommelier non dovrebbe essere goffo. |
| Cameriere / cameriera | Server, waiter/waitress | The waiter liked the waitress. | Al cameriere è piaciuta la cameriera. |
| Barista (m/f) | Bartender, barman/barmaid | The Bartender is very patient. | Il barista è molto paziente. |
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to the Legal advisory industry
Where would we be without lawyers and judges? A lawless world perhaps? Let us do the profession justice by memorizing the list of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to Judiciary.
| Italian | English |
| Avvocato | Lawyer, attorney, solicitor |
| Magistrato | Magistrate |
| Procuratore | Attorney, lawyer, counselor |
| Pubblico ministero, PM | Prosecutor |
| Ufficiale giudiziario | Officer of justice |
| Giudice | Judge, magistrate |
| Giudice di pace | Justice of the peace, small claims judge |
The professions related to Business and office life
Most of us go to regular office jobs and this list is vast and ever growing. The List of Occupations and Professions in Italian would not be complete without detailing out this list.
| Italian | English |
| Impiegato/a | Office worker, clerk |
| Direttore / direttrice | Company director |
| Centralinista (m/f) | Telephone operator, switchboard operator |
| Segretaria/o | Secretary |
| Ragioniere / ragioniera | Accountant |
| Venditore, commercial | Salesperson, sales rep |
| Agente immobiliare (m/f) | Real estate agent |
| Consulente (m/f) | Consultant |
| Contabile (m/f) | Bookkeeper |
| Commercialista (m/f) | Accountant |
| Notaio (m/f) | Notary |
| Esattore fiscale | Tax collector |
| Geometra (m/f) | Surveyor |
| Ingegnere (m/f) | Engineer |
| Imprenditore / imprenditrice | Entrepreneur |
| Banchiere / banchiera | Banker |
| Intermediario finanziario | Stockbroker |
| Architetto/a | Architect |
| Ricercatore / ricercatrice | Researcher |
| Programmatore / programmatrice | Programmer |
| Promotore / promotrice | Promoter |
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to the Publishing Industry
Behind every book and every newspaper are a few hundred people toiling away to achieve perfection. These are not just editors but writers, translators, illustrators and many more.
| Italian | English |
| Scrittore / scrittrice | Writer |
| Romanziere / romanziera | Novelist |
| Redattore / redattrice | Editor |
| Editore / editrice | Publisher |
| Traduttore / traduttrice | Translator |
| Correttore di bozze / correttrice di bozze | Proofreader |
| Giornalista (m/f) | Journalist |
| Pubblicista (m/f) | Contributing editor |
| Copywriter (m/f) | Copywriter |
| Interprete (m/f) | Interpreter |
| Illustratore / illustratrice | Illustrator |
List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to the Entertainment industry
Don’t we all like a nice movie, a song, a play? That’s what Friday nights and weekends are about right? So it would be remiss if we omit this list of people.
| Italian | English |
| Cantante (m/f) | Singer |
| Attore / attrice | Actor/actress, Thespian, performer |
| Drammaturgo/a | Playwright |
| Regista (m/f) | Filmmaker |
| Musicista (m/f) | Musician, performer |
| Pianista (m/f) | Pianist |
| Chitarrista (m/f) | Guitarist, guitar player |
| Sassofonista (m/f) | Saxophonist |
| Batterista (m/f) | Drummer, percussionist |
| Bassista (m/f) | Bassist, bass player |
| Compositore / compositrice | Composer |
| Ballerino/a | Dancer |
| Coreografo/a | Choreographer |
| Modello/a | Model |
| Presentatore / presentatrice | Television presenter |
| Cameraman | Camera operator, cameraman |
| Costumista (m/f) | Costume designer |
| Truccatore / truccatrice | Makeup artist |
| Disc jockey, DJ (m/f) | Disc jockey |
The professions related to the world of art
I’ma be honest with you… my knowledge of the art world is really bad. I would price the Mona list at a few hundred pounds saying she looks sad. Nevertheless, these are the most skilled and creative people in the world. Let us learn the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to all artists.
| Italian | English |
| Artista (m/f) | Artist |
| Scultore / scultrice | Sculptor |
| Pittore / pittrice | Painter |
| Restauratore / restauratrice | Art conservator |
| Critico/a d’arte | Art critic |
| Fotografo/a | Photographer |
| Designer (m/f) | Designer |
| Fumettista (m/f) | Cartoonist |
| Disegnatore / disegnatrice di cartoni animate | Animator |
The professions related to the industry of Manual work
They form the bottom of the pyramid, a massive group of people supporting each task to success. They may not be fancy professions but the world would not move an inch without any of them. Let us learn the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to all manual laborers.
| Italian | English |
| Operaio/a | Manual worker, laborer |
| Operatore edile, muratore | construction worker, mason |
| Artigiano/a | Craftsman |
| Imbianchino/a | House painter |
| Tecnico/a | Technician repairman |
| Meccanico | Mechanic |
| Elettricista | Electrician |
| Idraulico/a | Plumber |
| Falegname | Carpenter, woodworker |
| Calzolaio/a | Shoemaker |
| Giardiniere/a | Gardener |
| Fabbro | Blacksmith |
| Piastrellista | Tiler, tile setter |
| Tappezziere | Upholsterer |
| Marmista | Marble worker |
| Agricoltore, contadino/a | Farmer |
| Pescatore | Fisherman |
| Allevatore / allevatrice | Breeder, farmer, cowman |
| Minatore | Miner |
The professions related to the Transportation industry
These are the guys who take you everywhere. They are the great ever present and important transportation industry. Let us memorize the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian for all the members of the transportation industry.
| Italian | English |
| Conducente di autobus | Bus driver |
| Macchinista | Train driver |
| Camionista, autotrasportatore | Truck driver, lorry driver |
| Taxista, tassista | Cabdriver, taxi driver |
| Pilota | Pilot |
| Corriere | Courier |
| Ferroviere | Railway worker |
The professions related to the world of Commerce and trade
The world of trade is what made us what we are. Trade connected the world and formed the roots of history. Let us learn the List of Occupations and Professions in Italian related to all tradesmen.
| Italian | English |
| Negoziante (m/f) | Shopkeeper |
| Commerciante (m/f) | Retailer, shopkeeper |
| Commesso/a | Sales assistant, shop assistant |
| Cassiere/a | Cashier |
| Pasticciere / pasticciera | Pastry chef, confectioner |
| Fornaio/a, panettiere/a | Baker |
| Salumiere/a | Grocer |
| Fruttivendolo/a | Greengrocer |
| Macellaio/a | Butcher |
| Pescivendolo/a | Fish seller |
| Fioraio/a | Florist |
| Giornalaio/a, edicolante | Newsstand, newsagent |
| Gioielliere/a | Jeweler |
| Orefice | Jewelry maker |
| Ottico/a | Optician |
| Orologiaio/a | Watchmaker |
| Antiquario/a | Antique dealer |
| Parrucchiere/a | Hairdresser |
| Barbiere | Barber |
| Lattaio/a | Milkman, milkwoman |
| Libraio/a | Bookseller |
| Estetista | Beautician, esthetician |
| Lavandaio / lavandaia | Laundryman / laundress |
The professions related to the Tourism industry
We save money to travel the world. Little does one know that there is a whole industry behind the world of tourism.
| Italian | English |
| Agente di viaggi (m/f) | Travel agent |
| Guida turistica (m/f) | Travel guide |
| Accompagnatore turistico / accompagnatrice turistica | Tour guide |
| Guida alpina (m/f) | Mountain guide |
| Assistente di volo, | Flight attendant |
| Programmatore turistico | Travel organizer |
| Responsabile del booking | Booking manager |
| Animatore / animatrice | Holiday resort entertainer |
| Bagnino/a, guardaspiaggia | Lifeguard |
| Affittacamere | Landlord, landlady |
Sportsmen and Sportswomen
The sportsmen and sportswomen are people whom we adore and worship. Italy is the country where sports is valued above one’s life and you better not screw up any vocabulary related to that
| Italian | English |
| Atleta (m/f) | Athlete |
| Allenatore / allenatrice | Coach |
| Calciatore / calciatrice | Footballer |
| Cestista | Basketball player |
| Pallavolista | Volleyball player |
| Tennista | Tennis player |
| Sciatore | Skier |
| Pugile / pugilessa | Boxer |
| Pattinatore / pattinatrice | Skater |
| Pilota motociclistico | Motorcycle racer |
| Pilota automobilistico | Racing driver |
| Arbitro | Referee, umpire |
The master list of the vast variety of other jobs
Not all jobs can be fit into the above categories. Some of them are unique since they are tradesmen, housewife or just unique in nature. Nevertheless, these people form the vast majority of jobs and hence needs to be memorized.
| Italian | English |
| Educatore cinofilo / educatrice cinofila | Dog trainer |
| Astronauta | Astronaut |
| Astronomo | Astronomer |
| Sarto/a | Tailor |
| Postino/a, portalettere | Postman/postwoman, mail carrier |
| Blogger | Blogger |
| YouTuber | YouTuber |
| Bibliotecario/a | Librarian |
| Parroco, prete | Priest |
| Carceriere, secondino | Jailer |
| Maggiordomo | Butler |
| Cartomante | Fortune-teller, card reader |
| Usciere | Doorman, usher |
| Addetto/a alle pulizie | Cleaner |
| Operatore ecologico, netturbino | Street cleaner |
| Marinaio | Sailor |
| Politico/a | Politician |
| Senatore / senatrice | Senator |
| Tesoriere | Treasurer |
| Economista | Economist |
| Geologo/a | Geologist |
| Tuttofare | Handyman |
| Domestica, donna di servizio | Maid |
| Impresario funebre, becchino (informal) | Undertaker |
| Parcheggiatore | Valet, car-parking attendant |
| Badante | Caregiver |
| Pensionato/a | Pensioner, retiree |
| Studente / studentessa | Student |
| Casalinga | Housewife |
| Disoccupato/a | Unemployed |
More work-related terms in Italian
When someone is talking to you about their job, they are not going to repeat their profession name 15 times. Of course not…. They will talk about their boss, their payroll, their colleagues and what not. This ancillary list of words is as important as the master list itself.
| Italian | English |
| Socio/a | Partner, associate |
| Capo (m/f) | Boss |
| Cliente (m/f) | Client |
| Collega (m/f) | Colleague |
| Concorrente, competitor | Competitor |
| Partita IVA | VAT number |
| Ritenuta d’acconto | Withholding tax |
| Aumento di stipendio | Pay raise |
| Busta paga | Payroll |
| Giorno libero, giorno di riposo | Day off from work |
| Maternità, permesso di maternità | Maternity leave (time off work for a new mom) |
| Aspettativa | Leave, leave of absence |
| Contratto | Contract |
| Esperienza lavorativa | Work experience |
| Abilità | Skills |
| Assunzione | Hiring |
| Riunione | Meeting |
| Incarico | Task |
| Viaggio di lavoro | Business trip |
| Fare gli straordinari | To work overtime |
| Assumere | To hire |
| Dimettersi, rassegnare le dimissioni | To quit, to resign |
| Licenziare | To fire, to lay off |
| Andare in pensione | To retire |
| Sciopero | Strike |
| Sindacato | Trade-union |
| Agenzia delle Entrate | Italian Revenue Agency |
| IVA | VAT tax |
| INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale) | Social security service |
| Disoccupazione | Unemployment |
