¿trabajas hoy?
The English phrase "are you working today?" is translated into Spanish as ¿trabajas hoy?
This phrase is used to inquire whether someone has a work shift or is performing their professional duties on the current day.
Which one should you use?
The form ¿trabajas hoy? uses the simple present to ask about a scheduled state or a general fact about the day. In contrast, the phrase ¿estás trabajando hoy? uses the present continuous aspect to emphasize the action of working as it is currently in progress.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when addressing a group of people informally (the plural "you"), you use the vosotros form: ¿trabajáis hoy?
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question formal, you can use the third-person singular form trabaja paired with the pronoun usted, resulting in ¿trabaja usted hoy?
Did you know?
- While trabajar means 'to work', it is derived from the Latin tripalium, which was a three-staked instrument used for torture.
- In some Latin American contexts, replying estoy trabajando doesn't always mean you are at a job. It can be a figurative way to say you are 'busy' or 'sorting things out' in your personal life.
- In many Latin American countries, if you use the Spanish version of 'you plural' from Spain, ¿trabajáis hoy?, you will sound like you are reading from a textbook rather than speaking naturally.
Examples in context
- No, hoy no trabajo.No, I am not working today.
- Sí, trabajo por la mañana.Yes, I am working in the morning.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone in the morning.
- MateoHola Elena, ¿trabajas hoy?Hello Elena, are you working today?
- ElenaSí, Mateo, tengo turno por la mañana.Yes, Mateo, I have a shift in the morning.
- Mateo¿A qué hora sales?What time do you get off?
- ElenaTermino a las cinco.I finish at five.
