How to Say ‘I was working.’ in German
Ich war arbeiten.
ikh vahr AR-by-ten
[ikh vahr AR-by-ten]
💬 Usage Tip: Very common spoken German. Literally 'I was working/at work.' More conversational than a textbook-style answer.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Talking about work is normal in Germany, but usually in a matter-of-fact way, not as bragging.
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
First-person singular pronoun.
Ich war arbeiten.
I was at work / I went to work.
war
[vahr]
was
Past tense of 'sein' meaning 'was'.
Ich war müde.
I was tired.
arbeiten
[AR-by-ten]
working
Infinitive used with 'war' in this expression meaning someone was at work or working.
Heute war ich arbeiten.
Today I was at work.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”
Emma L., 27, UX Researcher
“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”
Marcus J., 40, Engineer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager