mucho trabajo
/mut͡ʃo tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a lot of work is said as mucho trabajo.
The phrase refers to a large amount of effort or a great quantity of tasks to be completed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mucho (much/a lot) and trabajo (work).
Which one should you use?
While mucho trabajo is the standard way to express the idea, other phrases can be used depending on the desired tone. Gran cantidad de trabajo and trabajo extenso are used to describe a great amount or extensive work, whereas un montón de trabajo literally translates to 'a pile/heap of work'. For a very casual or colloquial tone, you might use un mogollón de trabajo or un curro tremendo.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because trabajo is a masculine singular noun, the adjective mucho must also be used in its masculine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/mutʃo tɾabaxo/
Did you know?
- The word trabajo is connected to the concept of a 'three-pronged instrument', likely stemming from the Latin word for a 'stake' or 'pole'.
- The colloquial term mogollón used in un mogollón de trabajo originally referred to a chaotic crowd or a muddle. Using it to describe work implies the workload is not just large, but overwhelming or messy.
- In Spain, the slang term curro is so common that people use it as a noun for 'work' and a verb currar for 'to work'.
Examples in context
- Mañana tengo mucho trabajo.I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.This sentence shows how to use mucho trabajo to describe work scheduled for the following day.Tatoeba #1643606 by ildefonk, translation #1391835 by CK
- De hecho, es mucho trabajo.It's quite a lot of work, actually.This sentence uses mucho trabajo to emphasize the quantity of work involved.Tatoeba #2694905 by Shishir, translation #2694016 by Hybrid
- Aún hay mucho trabajo por hacer.There's still a lot of work to do.This sentence uses mucho trabajo to state that there is still a large amount of work remaining.Tatoeba #3579482 by marcelostockle, translation #2565978 by Hybrid
- Por favor, tenga en cuenta que este proyecto requerirá mucho trabajo.Please note that this project will require a lot of work.
- El informe final implica una gran cantidad de trabajo.The final report involves a great amount of work.
- Tengo un montón de trabajo para hacer esta semana.I have a lot of work to do this week.
- Me dejaron un mogollón de trabajo para hoy.They left me a ton of work for today.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking in a café about their weekend.
- Javier¿Vas a descansar este fin de semana?Are you going to rest this weekend?
- SofíaNo, tengo mucho trabajo en la oficina.No, I have a lot of work at the office.
- JavierLo siento, Sofía, espero que termines pronto.I'm sorry, Sofía, I hope you finish soon.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, ojalá sea así.Thanks, Javier, I hope so too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mucho, trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
