Jobs Vocabulary in Traditional Chinese: 70+ Easy Job Titles with Pinyin for Beginners

職業詞彙（繁體中文）

Say what you do, ask what they do, and survive small talk without sounding like a LinkedIn post.

This list gives you Traditional Chinese job words with pinyin (tone marks), plain-English meanings, and real example sentences for every term.

Tap the speaker buttons to hear the Chinese out loud (Taiwan Mandarin). Your pronunciation will improve. Your confidence will too. Your love of “networking events”… can’t help you there.

Yak Snark

If your current job title is “I do a bit of everything,” no worries. You’ll learn how to say what you do in Chinese without sounding like “Human Spreadsheet #7.”

Quick visual job cards

醫生

yīshēng

doctor

她是醫生。

Tā shì yīshēng.

She is a doctor.

老師

lǎoshī

teacher

我們的老師很親切。

Wǒmen de lǎoshī hěn qīnqiè.

Our teacher is very kind.

工程師

gōngchéngshī

engineer

他是工程師。

Tā shì gōngchéngshī.

He is an engineer.

護士

hùshì

nurse

護士在照顧病人。

Hùshì zài zhàogù bìngrén.

The nurse is taking care of patients.

廚師

chúshī

chef

廚師正在做湯。

Chúshī zhèngzài zuò tāng.

The chef is making soup.

司機

sījī

driver

司機開得很穩。

Sījī kāi de hěn wěn.

The driver drives steadily.

警察

jǐngchá

police officer

警察在路口指揮。

Jǐngchá zài lùkǒu zhǐhuī.

The police officer is directing traffic at the intersection.

會計

kuàijì

accountant

會計在算帳。

Kuàijì zài suànzhàng.

The accountant is doing the accounts.

Useful work phrases you’ll use immediately

你做什麼工作？

Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?

What do you do for work?

我是工程師。

Wǒ shì gōngchéngshī.

I’m an engineer.

我在找工作。

Wǒ zài zhǎo gōngzuò.

I’m looking for a job.

你們公司在招人嗎？

Nǐmen gōngsī zài zhāo rén ma?

Is your company hiring?

我明天要去面試。

Wǒ míngtiān yào qù miànshì.

I have an interview tomorrow.

這份工作需要經驗。

Zhè fèn gōngzuò xūyào jīngyàn.

This job requires experience.

我做全職。

Wǒ zuò quánzhí.

I work full-time.

我做兼職。

Wǒ zuò jiānzhí.

I work part-time.

我今天要加班。

Wǒ jīntiān yào jiābān.

I have overtime today.

我的薪水是……

Wǒ de xīnshuǐ shì…

My salary is…

我想換工作。

Wǒ xiǎng huàn gōngzuò.

I want to change jobs.

你幾點上班？

Nǐ jǐ diǎn shàngbān?

What time do you start work?

我六點下班。

Wǒ liù diǎn xiàbān.

I finish work at 6.

Why do so many job titles end in 師 or 員? Chinese likes neat “role endings.” Learn these and you can guess new jobs in the wild.

師 (shī) = specialist/pro (廚師, 藥師)

員 (yuán) = staff member (店員, 消防員)

經理 (jīnglǐ) = manager

助理 (zhùlǐ) = assistant

More job titles (with examples)

Office & business

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
經理	jīnglǐ	manager	我們的經理很忙。 Wǒmen de jīnglǐ hěn máng.	Our manager is very busy.
主管	zhǔguǎn	supervisor	主管要開會。 Zhǔguǎn yào kāihuì.	The supervisor has a meeting.
行政助理	xíngzhèng zhùlǐ	administrative assistant	行政助理幫我訂機票。 Xíngzhèng zhùlǐ bāng wǒ dìng jīpiào.	The admin assistant helped me book flights.
秘書	mìshū	secretary	秘書把文件印好了。 Mìshū bǎ wénjiàn yìn hǎo le.	The secretary printed the documents.
人力資源專員	rénlì zīyuán zhuānyuán	HR specialist	人力資源專員跟我談福利。 Rénlì zīyuán zhuānyuán gēn wǒ tán fúlì.	The HR specialist discussed benefits with me.
業務員	yèwùyuán	sales representative	業務員今天拜訪客戶。 Yèwùyuán jīntiān bàifǎng kèhù.	The sales rep is visiting clients today.
客服人員	kèfú rényuán	customer service representative	客服人員很快回覆。 Kèfú rényuán hěn kuài huífù.	Customer service replied quickly.
財務分析師	cáiwù fēnxī shī	financial analyst	財務分析師在看報表。 Cáiwù fēnxī shī zài kàn bàobiǎo.	The financial analyst is reviewing reports.

Tech & design

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
軟體工程師	ruǎntǐ gōngchéngshī	software engineer	軟體工程師在寫程式。 Ruǎntǐ gōngchéngshī zài xiě chéngxù.	The software engineer is coding.
程式設計師	chéngxù shèjì shī	programmer	程式設計師修好了這個錯誤。 Chéngxù shèjì shī xiū hǎo le zhège cuòwù.	The programmer fixed this bug.
資料分析師	zīliào fēnxī shī	data analyst	資料分析師做了一份分析。 Zīliào fēnxī shī zuò le yí fèn fēnxī.	The data analyst made an analysis report.
資訊安全工程師	zīxùn ānquán gōngchéngshī	cybersecurity engineer	資訊安全工程師在檢查漏洞。 Zīxùn ānquán gōngchéngshī zài jiǎnchá lòudòng.	The cybersecurity engineer is checking vulnerabilities.
系統管理員	xìtǒng guǎnlǐyuán	system administrator	系統管理員更新了伺服器。 Xìtǒng guǎnlǐyuán gēngxīn le sìfúqì.	The sysadmin updated the servers.
網路工程師	wǎnglù gōngchéngshī	network engineer	網路工程師修好網路了。 Wǎnglù gōngchéngshī xiū hǎo wǎnglù le.	The network engineer fixed the network.
產品經理	chǎnpǐn jīnglǐ	product manager	產品經理在排優先順序。 Chǎnpǐn jīnglǐ zài pái yōuxiān shùnxù.	The product manager is prioritizing tasks.
平面設計師	píngmiàn shèjì shī	graphic designer	平面設計師設計新的海報。 Píngmiàn shèjì shī shèjì xīn de hǎibào.	The graphic designer designed a new poster.

Healthcare

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
牙醫	yáyī	dentist	我週五看牙醫。 Wǒ zhōuwǔ kàn yáyī.	I’m seeing the dentist on Friday.
藥師	yàoshī	pharmacist	藥師提醒我按時吃藥。 Yàoshī tíxǐng wǒ ànshí chī yào.	The pharmacist reminded me to take my medicine on time.
物理治療師	wùlǐ zhìliáo shī	physical therapist	物理治療師教我做伸展。 Wùlǐ zhìliáo shī jiāo wǒ zuò shēnzhǎn.	The physical therapist taught me stretches.
營養師	yíngyǎng shī	dietitian	營養師建議我少喝糖飲。 Yíngyǎng shī jiànyì wǒ shǎo hē táng yǐn.	The dietitian suggested I drink fewer sugary drinks.
心理師	xīnlǐ shī	therapist / psychologist	心理師聽我說。 Xīnlǐ shī tīng wǒ shuō.	The therapist listened to me.
獸醫	shòuyī	veterinarian	獸醫幫貓打疫苗。 Shòuyī bāng māo dǎ yìmiáo.	The vet gave the cat a vaccine.
急救員	jíjiùyuán	paramedic	急救員很快到現場。 Jíjiùyuán hěn kuài dào xiànchǎng.	The paramedics arrived quickly.
檢驗師	jiǎnyàn shī	lab technologist	檢驗師在做血液檢查。 Jiǎnyàn shī zài zuò xuèyè jiǎnchá.	The lab technologist is doing a blood test.

Education & research

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
教授	jiàoshòu	professor	教授今天上課。 Jiàoshòu jīntiān shàngkè.	The professor is teaching today.
幼教老師	yòujiào lǎoshī	preschool teacher	幼教老師帶孩子唱歌。 Yòujiào lǎoshī dài háizi chànggē.	The preschool teacher leads the kids in singing.
家教	jiājiào	tutor	家教每週來兩次。 Jiājiào měi zhōu lái liǎng cì.	The tutor comes twice a week.
校長	xiàozhǎng	principal (school)	校長在操場講話。 Xiàozhǎng zài cāochǎng jiǎnghuà.	The principal is speaking on the playground.
研究員	yánjiūyuán	researcher	研究員正在做實驗。 Yánjiūyuán zhèngzài zuò shíyàn.	The researcher is doing an experiment.
圖書館員	túshūguǎn yuán	librarian	圖書館員幫我找書。 Túshūguǎn yuán bāng wǒ zhǎo shū.	The librarian helped me find a book.
翻譯	fānyì	translator	翻譯把文件翻好了。 Fānyì bǎ wénjiàn fān hǎo le.	The translator finished translating the document.
訓練講師	xùnliàn jiǎngshī	trainer / instructor	訓練講師教新員工流程。 Xùnliàn jiǎngshī jiāo xīn yuángōng liúchéng.	The trainer teaches new employees the process.

Food, shops & service

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
店員	diànyuán	shop clerk	店員很有禮貌。 Diànyuán hěn yǒu lǐmào.	The clerk is very polite.
收銀員	shōuyín yuán	cashier	收銀員找我零錢。 Shōuyín yuán zhǎo wǒ língqián.	The cashier gave me change.
服務生	fúwùshēng	waiter / waitress	服務生送上菜單。 Fúwùshēng sòng shàng càidān.	The waiter brought the menu.
咖啡師	kāfēi shī	barista	咖啡師拉了漂亮的奶泡。 Kāfēi shī lā le piàoliang de nǎipào.	The barista made beautiful milk foam art.
調酒師	tiáojiǔ shī	bartender	調酒師推薦一杯特調。 Tiáojiǔ shī tuījiàn yì bēi tètiáo.	The bartender recommended a special cocktail.
飯店櫃台	fàndiàn guìtái	hotel front desk staff	飯店櫃台幫我辦入住。 Fàndiàn guìtái bāng wǒ bàn rùzhù.	The hotel front desk helped me check in.
房務員	fángwùyuán	housekeeping staff	房務員把房間整理乾淨。 Fángwùyuán bǎ fángjiān zhěnglǐ gānjìng.	Housekeeping cleaned up the room.
導遊	dǎoyóu	tour guide	導遊介紹這座古城。 Dǎoyóu jièshào zhè zuò gǔchéng.	The tour guide introduced this old city.

Trades & construction

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
水電工	shuǐdiàn gōng	plumber/electric technician	水電工來修漏水。 Shuǐdiàn gōng lái xiū lòushuǐ.	The plumber came to fix the leak.
電工	diàngōng	electrician	電工換了燈泡。 Diàngōng huàn le dēngpào.	The electrician changed the light bulb.
木工	mùgōng	carpenter	木工做了一張桌子。 Mùgōng zuò le yì zhāng zhuōzi.	The carpenter made a table.
泥水匠	níshuǐ jiàng	mason	泥水匠在鋪磁磚。 Níshuǐ jiàng zài pū cízhuān.	The mason is laying tiles.
油漆工	yóuqī gōng	painter (house painting)	油漆工把牆刷白。 Yóuqī gōng bǎ qiáng shuā bái.	The painter painted the wall white.
焊工	hàngōng	welder	焊工在焊金屬。 Hàngōng zài hàn jīnshǔ.	The welder is welding metal.
汽車技師	qìchē jìshī	auto technician	汽車技師檢查煞車。 Qìchē jìshī jiǎnchá shāchē.	The auto tech checked the brakes.
建築師	jiànzhù shī	architect	建築師畫了新的平面圖。 Jiànzhù shī huà le xīn de píngmiàn tú.	The architect drew a new floor plan.

Media & creative

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
記者	jìzhě	journalist	記者在採訪市長。 Jìzhě zài cǎifǎng shìzhǎng.	The journalist is interviewing the mayor.
編輯	biānjí	editor	編輯改了標題。 Biānjí gǎi le biāotí.	The editor changed the headline.
攝影師	shèyǐng shī	photographer	攝影師拍婚禮。 Shèyǐng shī pāi hūnlǐ.	The photographer is shooting a wedding.
影片剪輯師	yǐngpiàn jiǎnjí shī	video editor	影片剪輯師熬夜剪片。 Yǐngpiàn jiǎnjí shī áo yè jiǎn piàn.	The video editor stayed up late editing.
主持人	zhǔchírén	host / presenter	主持人把氣氛帶起來。 Zhǔchírén bǎ qìfēn dài qǐlái.	The host got the crowd energized.
演員	yǎnyuán	actor	這位演員很會哭。 Zhè wèi yǎnyuán hěn huì kū.	This actor is really good at crying (on cue).
作家	zuòjiā	writer / author	作家正在寫新書。 Zuòjiā zhèngzài xiě xīn shū.	The author is writing a new book.
插畫家	chāhuà jiā	illustrator	插畫家畫了可愛的角色。 Chāhuà jiā huà le kě’ài de juésè.	The illustrator drew cute characters.

Public service & transport

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
消防員	xiāofángyuán	firefighter	消防員出勤了。 Xiāofángyuán chūqín le.	The firefighters were dispatched.
律師	lǜshī	lawyer	律師給我法律建議。 Lǜshī gěi wǒ fǎlǜ jiànyì.	The lawyer gave me legal advice.
法官	fǎguān	judge	法官宣布判決。 Fǎguān xuānbù pànjué.	The judge announced the verdict.
公務員	gōngwùyuán	civil servant	他是公務員。 Tā shì gōngwùyuán.	He is a civil servant.
社工	shègōng	social worker	社工關心那個家庭。 Shègōng guānxīn nàge jiātíng.	The social worker is checking on that family.
郵差	yóuchāi	mail carrier	郵差送來包裹。 Yóuchāi sòng lái bāoguǒ.	The mail carrier delivered a package.
飛行員	fēixíngyuán	pilot	飛行員準備起飛。 Fēixíngyuán zhǔnbèi qǐfēi.	The pilot is preparing for takeoff.
空服員	kōngfúyuán	flight attendant	空服員發飲料。 Kōngfúyuán fā yǐnliào.	The flight attendant is handing out drinks.

Variants & related workplace words

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH)	Translation (EN)
老闆	lǎobǎn	boss	老闆今天不在。 Lǎobǎn jīntiān bú zài.	The boss isn’t in today.
上司	shàngsī	superior	我跟上司談了一下。 Wǒ gēn shàngsī tán le yíxià.	I talked with my supervisor.
同事	tóngshì	coworker	同事請我喝咖啡。 Tóngshì qǐng wǒ hē kāfēi.	A coworker treated me to coffee.
員工	yuángōng	employee	公司有一百個員工。 Gōngsī yǒu yì bǎi gè yuángōng.	The company has 100 employees.
實習生	shíxíshēng	intern	我們的新實習生很努力。 Wǒmen de xīn shíxíshēng hěn nǔlì.	Our new intern works hard.
自由工作者	zìyóu gōngzuòzhě	freelancer	她是自由工作者，時間很彈性。 Tā shì zìyóu gōngzuòzhě, shíjiān hěn tánxìng.	She’s a freelancer, so her schedule is flexible.
全職	quánzhí	full-time	我現在是全職。 Wǒ xiànzài shì quánzhí.	I’m full-time right now.
兼職	jiānzhí	part-time	他週末做兼職。 Tā zhōumò zuò jiānzhí.	He works part-time on weekends.
升職	shēngzhí	get promoted	她下個月會升職。 Tā xià gè yuè huì shēngzhí.	She’ll get promoted next month.
離職	lízhí	resign / leave a job	他打算月底離職。 Tā dǎsuàn yuèdǐ lízhí.	He plans to resign at the end of the month.