| pali | occupations | |
| jan pali | worker, employee | |
| jan lawa | leader, boss, master, chairperson, president, director | |
| jan lawa ma | president of country, governor of state, premier of province | |
| jan lawa pi ma tomo | mayor | |
| jan pi kama sona | student | |
| jan pi musi sijelo | athlete | |
| jan (pi pali) moku | chef, cook | |
| jan (pi pali) unpa | sex worker, prostitute | |
| jan pi pana sona | teacher | |
| jan pi pona pilin | good psychotherapist | |
| jan pi pona sijelo | good doctor, healer | |
| jan pi tomo pali | office worker, etc. | |
| jan sona | knowledgeable person, wise person, educated person, academic, specialist | |
| jan sona sijelo | doctor, physician | |
| jan sona nanpa | mathematician | |
| jan sona pilin | psychologist | |
| lon tenpo pi pali ala | to be taking a sabbatical, break from work | |
| lukin jo e pali | to be looking for a job | |
| pali ala | not working | |
| tomo pali | work(place), office, factory, etc. |