How to Say “Back to Work” in Spanish

When it’s time to go back to work, whether it’s after a vacation, a long break, or a sabbatical, it’s important to know how to express this in Spanish. The Spanish language offers several phrases and expressions to convey the idea of returning to work. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “back to work” in Spanish, and provide tips, examples, and even regional variations if necessary.

Formal Ways to Say “Back to Work” in Spanish

1. Volver al trabajo: This is a simple and straightforward way to say “back to work” in Spanish. It is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. For example, “Volvemos al trabajo mañana” (We go back to work tomorrow).
2. Retomar las labores: This phrase emphasizes the idea of resuming work duties. It is commonly used in professional settings and is more formal than “volver al trabajo.” For instance, “Después de las vacaciones, retomaremos las labores habituales” (After the vacation, we will resume our usual work duties).
3. Reingresar al trabajo: This phrase translates to “reentering the workforce.” It is often used when someone has been on an extended leave of absence. For example, “Ella reingresará al trabajo después de su permiso de maternidad” (She will reenter the workforce after her maternity leave).

Informal Ways to Say “Back to Work” in Spanish

1. Volver a la chamba: This expression is commonly used in Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico. “Chamba” is a colloquial term for work. For instance, “¡Ya es hora de volver a la chamba!” (It’s time to go back to work!)
2. Ponerse las pilas: This phrase literally means “to put on the batteries” and is commonly used in informal contexts to express getting back to work with energy and dedication. For example, “Después de las vacaciones, hay que ponerse las pilas y trabajar duro” (After the vacation, we need to get back to work and work hard).
3. Volver a las andadas: This playful expression with a touch of nostalgia is often used among friends or colleagues to mean “getting back to the usual routine.” For instance, “Terminaron las vacaciones y volvimos a las andadas” (The vacation ended, and we got back to our usual routine).

Regional Variations

Spanish is spoken across different regions, and while the above phrases are widely used, there might be variations or local idioms. Here are a few regional variations:

Variations in Spain

In Spain, you may hear the following expressions:

“Volver al tajo” or “Volver al curro” – Both colloquial expressions used to mean “back to work.”

Variations in Latin America

In various Latin American countries, you might come across these phrases:

“Regresar al jato” (Peru) or “Volver al laburo” (Argentina) – Both informal expressions meaning “back to work.”

Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you better understand how to use these phrases:

• Remember to adjust verbs and pronouns according to the context and subject of your sentence. For example, instead of “Volvemos al trabajo mañana,” you can say “Vuelvo al trabajo mañana” (I go back to work tomorrow).
• To make the phrases more specific, you can add time expressions. For instance, “Después de las vacaciones, retomaremos las labores la próxima semana” (After the vacation, we will resume our duties next week).
• If you want to wish someone good luck on their return to work, you can say “¡Buena suerte en tu regreso al trabajo!” (Good luck on your return to work!).

By learning these phrases and variations, you will be able to confidently express the idea of “back to work” in Spanish. Whether you’re speaking formally or informally, these expressions will help you communicate effectively in professional and social situations. ¡Buena suerte en tu regreso al trabajo!