verb

arbeiten

work

Etwas tun, um ein Ziel zu erreichen oder eine Aufgabe zu erfüllen, oft auch um Geld zu verdienen.

Definition & meaning

arbeiten means to work or to do work. Its meaning depends on context:

To work or be employed: Sie arbeitet in einer Schule. — “She works at a school.”
To work on something: Er arbeitet an einem Bericht. — “He is working on a report.”
To operate or function, especially of a machine or system: Der Motor arbeitet leise. — “The engine runs quietly.”
To be active or have an effect: Das Medikament arbeitet langsam. — “The medication acts slowly.”
To move or change gradually, especially of materials such as wood: Das Holz arbeitet. — “The wood shifts or expands.”

Grammar & Word origin

arbeiten is a regular, weak verb. Its forms include arbeitet (present, third-person singular), arbeitete (simple past), and hat gearbeitet (present perfect). It forms the perfect tense with haben.

The verb is formed from the noun Arbeit plus the infinitive ending -en. The noun has historical roots in words associated with toil or hardship.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by context:

tätig sein — “to be active” or “to be engaged in work”; more formal and less specific about paid employment.
jobben — “to work a job,” often temporarily or part-time; more informal.
schuften — “to toil” or “to slog”; emphasizes strenuous, tiring work.
bearbeiten — “to process” or “work on” a material, document, or task; more specific and usually takes an object.
funktionieren — “to function”; suitable for machines and systems, but not generally for a person’s occupation.

There is no exact antonym in every sense. Depending on context:

ruhen — “to rest” or “to be inactive”; contrasts with being active at work.
pausieren — “to pause”; describes a temporary break rather than the opposite of working in general.
arbeitslos sein — “to be unemployed”; contrasts with being employed, not with working on a task.