adjective
employed, working
B1
Means 'employed' or 'working', describing someone who has regular employment. Often used predicatively with 'sein' (z. B. Er ist berufstätig). Gradable adjective (comparative berufstätiger, superlative am berufstätigsten). Not a participle; regular formation and common in formal and everyday contexts. Can be combined with adverbs (Voll-, Teil-) to indicate full- or part-time employment.
Examples
Sie ist seit zwei Jahren berufstätig.
She has been employed for two years.
Viele Eltern sind berufstätig und brauchen flexible Betreuungszeiten.
Many parents are working and need flexible childcare hours.
Obwohl die Mutter berufstätig war, kümmerte sich der Vater abends um die Hausaufgaben, weil das Kind Hilfe brauchte.
Although the mother was employed, the father took care of the homework in the evenings because the child needed help.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a badge that says 'berufstätig' on a person's jacket — a sign that they are working.
Sounds like 'bear-uf-sta-tig' — imagine a bear at a station doing a job to remember 'employed'.
Notes
Describes someone who works (has a job). Often used for people who combine work and family life (berufstätige Eltern).