German for Construction & Trades: Vocabulary & Phrases

On a German building site or in a workshop, clear, fast German keeps you safe and productive. Here are the everyday phrases and safety words for trades.

Key phrases on the job

Vorsicht!Watch out!
Kannst du mir das mal reichen?Can you pass me that?
Wo ist das Werkzeug?Where’s the tool?
Das passt so.That fits / that’s fine.
Wir machen gleich Pause.We’ll take a break soon.
Feierabend!End of the workday!
Trag bitte den Helm.Please wear the helmet.
Das ist noch nicht fertig.That’s not finished yet.

Vocabulary you need

Build the core words for this job — each list is free to browse and download (CSV or Anki):

Themed decks: Trades & Manual Work German flashcards · Tools & DIY German flashcards · Workplace Safety German flashcards. More: German job vocabulary you actually use at work.

Learn it faster — free

Test yourself with a quick quiz on these words, then watch real German videos with dual subtitles so the phrases stick in context — tap any word to learn it.

Frequently asked questions

How much German do I need for a trades job in Germany?

A2 is often enough to start; safety instructions and team coordination are the priority, so focus on clear everyday phrases and safety vocabulary.

What’s the best way to learn trades German?

Learn the safety and coordination phrases first, and get daily input from German videos with dual subtitles to build comprehension quickly.

Free Chrome extension

Learn German with any YouTube video — the 3minGerman plugin

The 3minGerman Chrome extension adds German and English subtitles to every YouTube video. Click any word to see its translation and etymology; it is saved to your 3minGerman account, and the daily quiz repeats it with spaced repetition until you remember it.

  1. STEP 1
    Install the plugin
    Add it to desktop Chrome — free.
  2. STEP 2
    Watch any video
    German + English subtitles appear automatically.
  3. STEP 3
    Click any word
    Translation, etymology, audio — saved to your words.
  4. STEP 4
    Take the daily quiz
    Spaced repetition beats the forgetting curve.