hermoso trabajo
/eɾmoso tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "beautiful job" is translated into Spanish as hermoso trabajo.
This phrase is used to praise someone for doing a task exceptionally well.
Which one should you use?
While 'hermoso trabajo' translates to 'beautiful job', buen trabajo is a more common and standard way to say 'good job' in most professional contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using hermoso to describe work is quite poetic or high-register and may sound overly dramatic in a standard office setting. Magnífico trabajo means 'Magnificent job' in a formal setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective hermoso precedes the noun trabajo in this phrase, which is a common way to add an emotive or qualitative emphasis in Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾmoso tɾabaxo/
Did you know?
- The word trabajo has an unexpected connection to the concept of 'three', as it stems from a root related to the Latin 'tripālis', which refers to something 'threefold'.
- While hermoso trabajo is poetic, Spanish speakers often use the phrase está impecable to describe a 'beautiful' or perfect job. This literally means the work is 'spotless' or 'without stain'.
- In some Latin American cultures, praising a colleague's work too intensely with words like hermoso can be seen as insincere or 'too much', leading people to prefer understated praise.
Examples in context
- ¡Genial, has hecho un trabajo magnífico en la presentación!Great, you did a magnificent job on the presentation!
- ¡Muy buen trabajo en la pintura!Very good job on the painting!
- ¡Qué hermoso trabajo has hecho!What a beautiful job you have done!
Example conversation
Javier is reviewing a presentation Elena created.
- JavierElena, mira estas diapositivas. ¡Hermoso trabajo!Elena, look at these slides. Beautiful job!
- ElenaMuchas gracias, Javier. Me costó tiempo.Thank you very much, Javier. It took me some time.
- JavierSe nota que pusiste mucho detalle.It shows that you put in a lot of detail.
- ElenaMe alegra que te guste el resultado.I am glad that you like the result.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermoso, trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
