Why do I need to know der Profi?
You're bound to hear Germans use this word all the time: at home, at school, in the workplace, on the street and even in the pub.
It's a quick, no fuss way of saying someone really knows what they're doing and it can be used in both serious and fun contexts.
And by the way if you get called a Profi by a German, you can pat yourself on the back. It's a huge compliment.
What does it mean?
Der Profi, which is pronounced like "proh-fee", is an easy expression for English speakers to remember because it comes from the English word professional, which in turn originates from the Latin professio, meaning "a public declaration". It's similar to the English "pro".
It is thought to have entered the German language in the 20th century, originally through sport and work contexts. But Germans now use it in a variety of different ways.
You can use it when someone gets paid for their expertise or has a job that requires qualifications, like a professional football player or a doctor.
But it is often used in a more casual way when someone has true skills. Like your friend who knows how to put up shelves or repair a bike. She can be called "Profi" even though she's not paid for the service.
You might also hear Profi used in a ironic way. When your partner is doing a bad job of tidying up the garden, you can say: Ah ja, ein echter Profi am Werk (ah yes, a true pro at work).
In this case, you'd want to use an amused and playful tone -- unless you're actually trying to start an argument.
And if you're surprised by someone doing something amazingly well out of the blue, you can simply say: Profi! which in this case effectively means "respect!"
Use it like this:
Er ist ein echter Profi.
He’s a true professional.
Sie spielt auf Profi-Niveau.
She plays at a professional level.
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