Learning English vocabulary is more effective when you learn words in context. In this lesson, you will learn useful English words, phrasal verbs, idioms, and expressions related to jobs, careers, education, success, and personal qualities. These words and expressions are useful for students, job seekers, and English learners who want to improve their reading, speaking, and writing skills. Each item includes a simple definition and an example sentence to help you understand how it is used in real life.
Useful words used to talk about career
1. Job Application /ˌæp.ləˈkeɪ.ʃən/ អាប់ ភ្លើ ខេសឹន៖ពាក្យសុំធ្វើការ
Job application (noun) – a formal form or document submitted by a person who wants to get a job.
Example:
I completed my job application and sent it to the company yesterday.
When applying for a job, you may need to provide personal information, education history, work experience, and skills.
2. Ideal /aɪˈdiː.əl/ (អាយដៀល) ៖ ល្អប្រសើរ
Ideal (adjective) – perfectly suitable or the best possible for a particular purpose.
Example:
She is the ideal person for this position.
We often use ideal when talking about the perfect person, job, situation, or solution.
3. Candidate /ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪt/(ខឹន ឌី ឌឹតថឹ)៖ បេក្ខជន
Candidate (noun) – a person who applies for a job, position, or opportunity. It can also refer to someone nominated in an election.
Example:
The company interviewed five candidates for the job.
A strong candidate usually has the right skills, experience, and qualifications.
4. Feature /ˈfiː.tʃɚ/ ហ្វីតឈើ ៖ បង្ហាញអ្វីដែឡពិសេស
Feature (verb) – to show, include, or highlight an important quality or characteristic.
Example:
The advertisement features the company's newest products.
As a noun, feature can also mean an important part or characteristic of something.
Example:
One important feature of this phone is its excellent camera.
5. Career /kəˈrɪr/ ខើរៀ ៖ មុខរបរ
Career (noun) – a long-term job or profession that a person develops over many years.
Example:
She wants to build a successful career in education.
A career is usually different from a temporary job because it involves long-term professional development.
6. Out of Touch ៖ (អៅ អប់ ថាច់) ៖ ដាច់ទំនាក់ទំនង
Out of touch (expression) – not having recent contact with someone or not knowing about current ideas, situations, or developments.
Example:
I have been out of touch with my old classmates for many years.
Example:
Some people think he is out of touch with modern technology.
7. Require /rɪˈkwaɪr/ រីខ្វាយអើ៖ តម្រូវអោយមាន
Require (verb) – to need or demand something.
Example:
This job requires good communication skills.
Example:
Students are required to wear uniforms at school.
8. A ton of ៖ ( អឹ ថាន់ អប់) ៖ ច្រើន
A ton of (informal expression) – a very large amount of something.
Example:
I have a ton of homework to do tonight.
This expression is informal and is commonly used in everyday conversations.
9. Admission Test ៖ /ədˈmɪʃ.ən/ (អាតមីសសឹន ថេសថឹ) តេសចូលរៀន
Admission test (noun) – an examination used to evaluate a student's ability before accepting them into a school, college, or university.
Example:
She studied hard for the university admission test.
Admission tests can help schools decide whether students are ready for a particular program.
10. Fool Around ៖ (ហ្វូល អឹរោនដឹ) ខ្ជះខ្ជាលពេលវេលាឥតប្រយោជន៍
Fool around (phrasal verb) – to spend time doing unimportant or unnecessary things instead of focusing on something important.
Example:
Stop fooling around and finish your homework.
This expression can have different meanings depending on context, but it often means not behaving seriously.
11. Figure Out /ˈfɪɡ.jɚ/ ហ្វីកជើ អាវ ៖ យល់ ឬ ដឹង
Figure out (phrasal verb) – to understand, discover, or find the answer to something.
Example:
I finally figured out how to solve the problem.
Learning how to figure things out independently is an important skill for students.
12. Aptitude /ˈæp.tə.tuːd/ អាប់ធីត ធូតដឹ ៖ ដុងពីធម្មជាតិ
Aptitude (noun) – a natural ability or talent for learning or doing something.
Example:
She has a natural aptitude for learning languages.
A person may have an aptitude for mathematics, music, technology, art, or sports.
13. Entail /ɪnˈteɪl/ អីន វេល ៖ ជាប់ទាក់ទងទៅនិង
Entail (verb) – to involve something as a necessary part or result.
Example:
This job entails working with international customers.
Some careers entail long working hours and a high level of responsibility.
14. Apprentice /əˈpren.t̬ɪs/ អើ ប្រេន ថីស ៖ អ្នកហាត់ការ
Apprentice (noun) – a person who learns a skilled job by working with an experienced professional.
Example:
He started working as an apprentice mechanic.
An apprentice usually receives practical training while learning a particular profession or skill.
15. Simultaneous /ˌsaɪ.məlˈteɪ.ni.əs/ ៖ សាយ មុល ថេន នាស ៖ ដែលកើតឡើងដំណាលគ្នា
Simultaneous (adjective) – happening at the same time.
Example:
The two events happened simultaneously.
Example:
The students completed several simultaneous activities during the competition.
16. Context /ˈkɑːn.tekst/ ខន់ ថេកស ថឹ ៖ បរិបទ
Context (noun) – the situation, circumstances, or information surrounding a word, event, or statement that helps explain its meaning.
Example:
Try to understand the meaning of the word from its context.
Learning vocabulary in context is one of the best ways to remember new English words.
17. Ace /eɪs/ ៖ អេស ៖ ធ្វើអ្វីមួយបានល្អខ្លាំង
Ace (verb) – to do something extremely well or achieve an excellent result.
Example:
She aced her English exam.
Example:
If you study regularly, you can ace the interview.
This is an informal but common expression in English.
18. Immodest /ɪˈmɑː.dɪst/ ៖ អីម ម៉ ឌីស ថឹ ៖ ការនិយាយស្តី ទង្វើ ឬការស្លៀកពាក់ មិនសមរម្យ
Immodest (adjective) – too proud of yourself or your achievements; lacking humility.
Example:
He sounded immodest when he said he was the best student in the school.
Being confident is positive, but being excessively proud may be considered immodest.
19. Brag /bræɡ/ អូត
Brag (verb) – to talk too proudly about yourself, your achievements, or something you own.
Example:
He always brags about how much money he earns.
Example:
You should be proud of your achievements, but you should not brag too much.
20. Clinch /klɪntʃ/ ៖ ខ្លីនឆឹ ៖ ឈ្នះ, ជោគជ័យ
Clinch (verb) – to successfully win, achieve, or finalize something important.
Example:
The team clinched the championship after winning the final match.
Example:
Her excellent interview helped her clinch the job.
Useful English Idioms and Expressions
English learners should also learn common expressions because native speakers often use them in daily conversations. Here are some useful expressions related to success, work, decisions, and personal relationships.
21. Don't Take It Personally
Don't take it personally – don't feel hurt or offended by something someone says or does.
Example:
The manager criticized your work, but don't take it personally. He wants you to improve.
This expression is often used to comfort someone after criticism or rejection.
22. Buckle Down
Buckle down – to start working seriously and give full attention to something.
Example:
The final exam is coming, so I need to buckle down and study.
If you want to achieve an important goal, you may need to stop wasting time and buckle down.
23. Put Something Off
Put something off – to delay doing something until a later time.
Example:
Don't put off your homework until the last minute.
Many people put off difficult tasks, but completing important work early can reduce stress.
24. What It Takes
What it takes – the skills, qualities, determination, or effort necessary to succeed.
Example:
Do you think you have what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur?
Success often requires patience, hard work, knowledge, and confidence.
25. No-Brainer
No-brainer (noun) – a decision that is very easy because the answer or best choice is obvious.
Example:
Choosing a safer option was a no-brainer.
Example:
For me, learning English is a no-brainer because it creates many opportunities.
26. Right Up Your Alley
Right up your alley – something that perfectly matches your interests, skills, or preferences.
Example:
You love computers, so this programming course is right up your alley.
This expression is useful when recommending something to another person.
27. I Mean That as a Compliment
I mean that as a compliment – I am saying something in a positive way and do not intend to offend you.
Example:
You are very different from other teachers, and I mean that as a compliment.
Sometimes a comment may sound negative, so people use this expression to explain that they are trying to say something positive.
28. Better Late Than Never
Better late than never – it is better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example:
He started learning English at the age of 40. Better late than never!
This expression encourages people not to give up simply because they think they have started too late.
Why Is Learning Vocabulary in Context Important?
Memorizing a long list of English words can be difficult. Instead of learning isolated words, try to learn vocabulary through sentences, stories, conversations, and real-life situations.
For example, instead of memorizing:
buckle down = work seriously
Learn it in a complete sentence:
I need to buckle down because my final exam is next week.
By learning vocabulary in context, you can understand:
- How a word is used
- Which words commonly appear together
- Whether the word is formal or informal
- How to use the word naturally
- The grammar pattern connected to the word
This method can help you improve your English speaking and writing skills more quickly.
Practice
Complete the following sentences using the vocabulary from this lesson.
- I need to __________ and prepare for my final exam.
- Don't __________ your important work until tomorrow.
- She has a natural __________ for learning languages.
- This job __________ working with children.
- The company is looking for the ideal __________ for the position.
- Winning the competition helped the team __________ the championship.
- Learning English requires __________ hard work.
- You love art, so this course is right up your __________.
- Choosing the cheaper and better option was a __________.
- It's never too late to start something new. __________!
Career Vocabulary Quiz
Test your understanding of the 28 career vocabulary words and expressions.
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