Vocabulary · Jobs
Manual jobs in English
B1
Manual jobs in English: builders and plumbers, mechanics, bakers and chefs, hairdressers, drivers, and traditional crafts like the tailor or the blacksmith. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Building and construction
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| builder(n.)“A builder is fixing our roof.” | a person who builds houses | /ˈbɪldə/ |
| carpenter(n.) | a person who works with wood | /ˈkɑːpɪntə/ |
| plumber(n.)“I called the plumber.” | a person who repairs water pipes | /ˈplʌmə/ |
| electrician(n.) | a person who repairs electrical wires | /ɪˌlekˈtrɪʃn/ |
| painter(n.) | a person who paints walls and rooms | /ˈpeɪntə/ |
| roofer(n.) | a person who builds and repairs roofs | /ˈruːfə/ |
| mason / bricklayer(n.) | a person who builds with bricks or stone | /ˈmeɪsn/ |
| architect(n.) | a person who designs buildings | /ˈɑːkɪtekt/ |
Mechanics and cars
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| mechanic(n.)“The mechanic fixed my car.” | a person who repairs machines and engines | /məˈkænɪk/ |
| car mechanic(n.) | a person who repairs cars | /kɑː məˈkænɪk/ |
| engineer(n.) | a person who designs machines or structures | /ˌendʒɪˈnɪə/ |
| welder(n.) | a person who joins metal with heat | /ˈweldə/ |
Food and catering
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| baker(n.)“The baker makes fresh bread.” | a person who makes bread | /ˈbeɪkə/ |
| pastry chef(n.) | a cook who makes cakes and desserts | /ˈpeɪstri ʃef/ |
| butcher(n.) | a person who sells meat | /ˈbʊtʃə/ |
| cook(n.) | a person who prepares food | /kʊk/ |
| chef(n.) | a professional cook in a restaurant | /ʃef/ |
| waiter / waitress(n.) | a person who serves food in restaurants | /ˈweɪtə/ |
| bartender(n.) | a person who serves drinks at a bar | /ˈbɑːtendə/ |
| farmer(n.) | a person who grows food or keeps animals | /ˈfɑːmə/ |
| fisherman(n.) | a person who catches fish at sea | /ˈfɪʃəmən/ |
Beauty and care
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| hairdresser(n.)“I go to the hairdresser monthly.” | a person who cuts and styles hair | /ˈheədresə/ |
| barber(n.) | a person who cuts men's hair | /ˈbɑːbə/ |
| beautician(n.) | a person who looks after skin and make-up | /bjuːˈtɪʃn/ |
| nail technician(n.) | a person who paints and shapes nails | /neɪl tekˈnɪʃn/ |
| massage therapist(n.) | a person who relaxes your muscles by hand | /məˈsɑːʒ ˈθerəpɪst/ |
Services and maintenance
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| cleaner(n.) | a person who keeps homes and offices tidy | /ˈkliːnə/ |
| gardener(n.) | a person who looks after plants and lawns | /ˈɡɑːdnə/ |
| delivery driver(n.) | a person who brings parcels to your door | /dɪˈlɪvəri ˌdraɪvə/ |
| taxi driver(n.) | a person paid to take you by car | /ˈtæksi ˌdraɪvə/ |
| truck driver(n.) | a person who takes goods by road | /trʌk ˌdraɪvə/ |
| lorry driver(n.) | a person who takes goods by road | /ˈlɒri ˌdraɪvə/ |
| postman / postwoman(n.) | a person who brings letters to your house | /ˈpəʊstmən/ |
Traditional crafts
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| tailor(n.) | a person who makes clothes to measure | /ˈteɪlə/ |
| shoemaker / cobbler(n.) | a person who makes or repairs shoes | /ˈʃuːmeɪkə/ |
| jeweller(n.) | a person who makes rings and necklaces | /ˈdʒuːələ/ |
| jeweler(n.) | a person who makes rings and necklaces | /ˈdʒuːələ/ |
| florist(n.) | a person who sells flowers | /ˈflɒrɪst/ |
| potter(n.) | a person who makes bowls from clay | /ˈpɒtə/ |
| blacksmith(n.) | a person who shapes hot metal | /ˈblæksmɪθ/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Plumber /ˈplʌmbə/ ❌: the b is silent
Say plumber /ˈplʌmə/. The b is silent. It is the same in climb /klaɪm/, thumb /θʌm/ and comb /kəʊm/. Learn these words together.
A carpenter sells carpets ❌: two different words
A carpenter makes and repairs things made of wood: doors, tables, roofs. A carpet is a thick cover for the floor. The two words look and sound similar, but their meanings are not linked.
Lorry (UK) or truck (US)?
A big vehicle for goods is a lorry in the UK and a truck in the US. So the driver is a lorry driver (UK) or a truck driver (US). Both are correct: just use the same variety in the whole text.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
Why is the b silent in plumber?+
It comes from Latin: plumbum means lead, the metal of the first water pipes. The b stays in the spelling, but you do not say it: plumber /ˈplʌmə/. Other words with a silent b after m: climb, thumb, tomb, comb and lamb.
What is the difference between a cook and a chef?+
A cook is anyone who cooks, at home or at work. A chef is a trained professional cook, usually in a restaurant. My mum is a great cook. / He is a Michelin-star chef. Chef sounds more important.
Is it lorry or truck?+
Both words mean the same big vehicle for goods. Lorry is British English and truck is American English. So a lorry driver (UK) and a truck driver (US) do the same job. You hear truck everywhere in films and video games, but British people still say lorry every day.
What is the difference between a hairdresser and a barber?+
A hairdresser cuts and styles hair for women and men, in a hair salon. A barber cuts men's hair and shaves or trims beards, in a barber's or barbershop. Barbershops with an old-fashioned, vintage style are very popular today.
What is an artisan?+
An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things by hand, in a traditional way. You can also say craftsman or craftswoman (plural: craftspeople). The word is common on food: artisan bread is bread made in the traditional way.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/manual-jobs
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.