tarea
/taˈɾea/feminine
The Spanish word for assignment is tarea.
tarea is the standard term used in a school context to refer to homework or a specific student assignment.
Meaning: typically a task given to students (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tarea specifically refers to a task or assignment (often academic), trabajo is used for general work or a job. If you are referring to the allocation of resources or a formal designation, use asignación. For a significant task or a mission, misión is an appropriate term. For professional responsibilities or tasks, encargo can be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tarea is las tareas.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈɾea/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, tarea can refer to a specific plot of land or a set amount of work done on a farm in a single day.
- The word tarea originates from the Arabic word ṭarīḥa, which means 'endeavor' and comes from a root meaning 'to throw'.
- Depending on the country, a teacher might call a homework assignment a deber, which literally translates to 'a duty' or 'something one must do'.
Examples in context
- He terminado mi tarea.I've finished my assignment.This sentence is useful for saying you have finished your tarea.Tatoeba #10281419 by manufrutos, translation #10276695 by CK
- ¿Alguna duda con la tarea?Any questions about the assignment?This sentence is useful for asking if there are any questions regarding the tarea.Tatoeba #1624788 by marcelostockle, translation #1624846 by marcelostockle
- Nos asignó una tarea tan extensa que protestamos.He gave us such a long assignment that we protested.This sentence is useful for describing how a long tarea caused a protest.Tatoeba #2529544 by teskmon, translation #292139 by CM
- Tengo una nueva tareaI have a new assignment
- Me entregó un encargo importante.He handed me an important assignment.
- Tengo muchas tareas que hacerI have so much homework to do
- Tengo un deber para mañanaI have an assignment due tomorrow
- Por favor, complete la tarea para el viernes.Please complete the assignment by Friday.
- El gerente me asignó una tarea importante.The manager assigned me an important task.
- Como parte del proyecto, cada miembro del equipo tiene tareas específicas.As part of the project, each team member has specific assignments.
- Olvidé hacer mi tarea.I forgot to do my homework.
- Tenemos un trabajo en grupo para hacer juntos.We have a group project to work on together.
- Oye, ¿me puedes ayudar con esta tarea?Hey, can you help me with this task?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the university library.
- Javier¿Ya terminaste la tarea de biología, Elena?Have you finished the biology assignment yet, Elena?
- ElenaNo, todavía me queda mucha tarea.No, I still have a lot of work left.
- JavierYo también estoy muy cansado.I am very tired too.
- ElenaA ti te va a costar mucho terminarla.It's going to be hard for you to finish it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “assignment” translations and entries tarea, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tarea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
