government official

You use this phrase when you want to be precise. It sounds more professional than just saying 'government worker.' You can use it in the singular or plural. It often appears in news reports or serious discussions. If you are talking about someone's job title, you might use this as a category. For example, 'My cousin is a government official in the health department.' It sounds respectful and clear.

Use this when you are at the bank or a lawyer's office. It is perfect for formal emails or news stories. If you are traveling and need to describe who stopped you, this works well. It is great for academic writing or business meetings. Use it when you want to sound informed about how society works.

Don't use this at a casual BBQ with friends. If your friend works for the city, just say 'he works for the city.' Calling him a government official over a beer sounds a bit stiff. Don't use it for private company employees. A CEO of a tech firm is not a government official. Avoid it if you are trying to be very intimate or personal. It creates a bit of distance between people.

In many English-speaking cultures, this term carries a sense of duty. There is a long history of 'public service' being a noble path. However, people also joke about the 'red tape' these officials create. In the US and UK, there is a distinction between elected officials and career bureaucrats. Both are government officials, but one is voted in, and the other is hired.

You might hear public official used interchangeably. In the UK, you often hear civil servant for office-based roles. In the US, public servant is a warmer, more positive variation. If they are very high up, people might say high-ranking official. If they are local, you might hear city official. Each one changes the 'flavor' of the job slightly.