Essential Vocabulary: Professions in Portuguese
Common Professions and Their Portuguese Names
To start discussing careers, you need to know the basic vocabulary. Here are some of the most common professions in Portuguese:
- Doctor – médico (male), médica (female)
- Teacher – professor (male), professora (female)
- Engineer – engenheiro (male), engenheira (female)
- Nurse – enfermeiro (male), enfermeira (female)
- Lawyer – advogado (male), advogada (female)
- Chef – chef (both genders, or cozinheiro/cozinheira)
- Journalist – jornalista (both genders)
- Artist – artista (both genders)
- Salesperson – vendedor (male), vendedora (female)
- Student – estudante (both genders)
Gender and Professions
Portuguese nouns, including professions, are gendered. Most professions have a masculine and a feminine form, which usually ends in -o for males and -a for females. Some, like jornalista and estudante, are the same for both genders and the article or adjective will indicate the gender (o jornalista, a jornalista).
How to Ask About Professions in Portuguese
Key Questions
To inquire about someone’s job or career in Portuguese, use the following questions:
- O que você faz? – What do you do?
- Qual é a sua profissão? – What is your profession?
- Onde você trabalha? – Where do you work?
- Você gosta do seu trabalho? – Do you like your job?
- Em que área você trabalha? – In which area do you work?
Talking About Your Own Profession
When you want to talk about your own profession, you can use these structures:
- Eu sou + [profissão] – I am a [profession].
Example: Eu sou médico. (I am a doctor.) - Eu trabalho como + [profissão] – I work as a [profession].
Example: Eu trabalho como engenheira. (I work as an engineer.) - Eu trabalho em + [área/empresa] – I work in [field/company].
Example: Eu trabalho em tecnologia. (I work in technology.)
Describing Your Career Path in Portuguese
Useful Phrases
To talk about your career history or ambitions, these phrases will come in handy:
- Estou estudando para ser [profissão] – I am studying to be a [profession].
- Tenho experiência em [área] – I have experience in [field].
- Já trabalhei como [profissão] – I have already worked as a [profession].
- Quero mudar de carreira – I want to change careers.
- Meu sonho é ser [profissão] – My dream is to be a [profession].
Discussing Workplaces and Industries
- empresa – company
- escritório – office
- indústria – industry
- hospital – hospital
- escola – school
Example: Trabalho em um hospital como enfermeiro. (I work in a hospital as a nurse.)
Tips for Mastering Professions Vocabulary in Portuguese
Practice Gender Agreement
Always ensure your profession matches the gender of the person you’re talking about. This is a common mistake for beginners but essential for sounding natural in Portuguese.
Expand Your Vocabulary
Don’t limit yourself to basic professions. Learn vocabulary related to your own field and interests. For specialized vocabulary, Talkpal offers tailored lessons and AI-driven practice sessions.
Use Real-Life Scenarios
Practice discussing professions with native speakers or through language exchange. Try role-playing job interviews, workplace introductions, or networking events to get comfortable using these phrases in context.
How Talkpal Can Help You Talk About Careers in Portuguese
At Talkpal, our AI language learning platform provides interactive exercises and conversational practice focused on real-world topics, including professions and careers. You can practice job-related dialogues, receive instant feedback, and personalize your learning path to focus on vocabulary and scenarios most relevant to your goals. This targeted approach accelerates your fluency and confidence when discussing your career in Portuguese.
Conclusion
Talking about professions and careers in Portuguese is a key skill for both personal and professional communication. By mastering the vocabulary, understanding gender agreement, and practicing essential phrases, you’ll be able to confidently engage in career-related conversations. Use the resources on Talkpal and immerse yourself in real-life practice to make your Portuguese learning journey even more effective and enjoyable.
