trabajo de caridad
/tɾabaxo de kaɾidad/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'charity work' is translated into Spanish as trabajo de caridad.
This phrase refers to unpaid work performed to assist people in need or to support a beneficial cause. While trabajo de caridad is a direct translation, speakers often use labor social as a more natural way to describe activities centered around social welfare or community-based work.
Which one should you use?
The singular trabajo de caridad describes the concept of charity work generally, whereas the plural trabajos de caridad is used when referring to multiple different types of charitable tasks or specific projects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may hear the term Ayuda social to refer to the concept of charity work. In Spain, two common expressions are used: Acción solidaria and Trabajo voluntario.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form trabajos de caridad can be employed to denote various distinct charitable projects or tasks.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾabaxo de kaɾidad/
Did you know?
- The word caridad is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'dear'. Both stem from the Latin 'carus', which originally meant something that is highly valued or precious.
- In Spain, the phrase acción solidaria is frequently used. It shifts the focus from 'charity' to 'solidarity', implying a horizontal relationship between equals rather than a vertical one between a giver and a receiver.
- Spanish uses the word voluntariado to describe the overall system or act of volunteering. Unlike the English 'volunteer work', this noun turns the act of giving time into a formal status or social role.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their free time.
- ElenaElena, ¿qué haces en tu tiempo libre?Elena, what do you do in your free time?
- JavierHago un poco de trabajo de caridad.I do a bit of charity work.
- Elena¡Qué bien! ¿Dónde trabajas, Javier?That's great! Where do you work, Javier?
- JavierAyudo en un comedor social local.I help at a local soup kitchen.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caridad, de, trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
