Italian Phrase
Sono ingegnere (fam. «Faccio l'ingegnere»)
Meaning
Literally 'I am an engineer.' It is used to state one's profession. The colloquial version 'Faccio l'ingegnere' literally means 'I do the engineer' but is understood as 'I work as an engineer.'
When to use
Use this phrase when introducing yourself, answering the question 'Che lavoro fai?' (What do you do for a living?), or when describing your professional background in conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sonoingegnere
Essere + profession
When stating a profession with 'essere', Italian omits the indefinite article; you say 'Sono ingegnere', not 'Sono un ingegnere'.
Fare + l' + profession (colloquial)
In informal speech, Italians often use 'fare' with the definite article to mean 'to work as', e.g., 'Faccio l'ingegnere'.
🗨In Conversation
Che lavoro fai?
What do you do for a living?
Sono ingegnere, lavoro in una società di progettazione.
I am an engineer, I work at a design firm.
✕Common Mistakes
Sono un ingegnere.
The indefinite article is usually omitted after 'essere' when naming a profession.
Faccio ingegnere.
When using 'fare' colloquially, the definite article is required.
↔Alternatives
Lavoro come ingegnere
I work as an engineer
Sono un ingegnere
I am an engineer (less common, more emphatic)
Faccio l'ingegnere
I work as an engineer (colloquial)
Cultural Tip
In formal Italian, professions are stated without an article after 'essere'. Adding the article ('un ingegnere') is possible but can sound slightly emphatic or regional. The colloquial 'faccio l'ingegnere' is common among friends and in casual settings, but avoid it in formal interviews or written CVs.