vuelve al trabajo
/bwelbe al tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "get back to work" is translated into Spanish as vuelve al trabajo.
The phrase is a command used to tell someone to return to their professional tasks after a break or a distraction. You might also hear the idiomatic expression Ponte las pilas, which literally means "put on your batteries" and is used to motivate someone to get back to work or work harder.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase vuelve al trabajo is a contraction of vuelve a el trabajo. The word vuelve means "return", a means "to" and el trabajo means "the work".
Which one should you use?
There is a subtle distinction between vuelve al trabajo and vuelve a trabajar. While vuelve al trabajo focuses on the concept or the place of "the work", vuelve a trabajar focuses on the action of working itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase retoma tus labores may be used instead of vuelve al trabajo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes depending on who you are addressing. If you are commanding a group of people, use the plural form vuelvan al trabajo. Another plural option is Regresen al trabajo.
Did you know?
- The word trabajo shares an ancient root with the Latin word 'tripālis', which referred to something 'three-fold' or 'triple'.
- The verb trabajar is a cognate of the English word 'travail', which describes painful or laborious effort.
- Using vuelve al trabajo can sometimes carry a sharp tone, functioning more as a rebuke for wasting time than a simple instruction.
Examples in context
- ¡Tom! ¡Vuelve al trabajo!Tom! Get back to work!This example shows how to use vuelve al trabajo as a direct command to a person.Tatoeba #4613611 by DarkHollow, translation #2738468 by Hybrid
- Para de perder el tiempo y vuelve al trabajo.Stop wasting time and get back to work.This sentence demonstrates using vuelve al trabajo to tell someone to stop wasting time.Tatoeba #684561 by Shishir, translation #682370 by Source_VOA
- vuelve al trabajo, estás haciendo un excelente trabajo y necesitamos tu contribución para completar el proyecto a tiempoGet back to work, you are doing an excellent job, and we need your contribution to complete the project on time
- El descanso terminó, vuelve al trabajo.The break is over, get back to work.
Example conversation
Alejandro tells Lucía to stop chatting in the office.
- AlejandroLucía, deja de hablar y vuelve al trabajo.Lucía, stop talking and get back to work.
- LucíaLo siento, Alejandro, ya voy.I'm sorry, Alejandro, I'm going now.
- AlejandroTenemos mucho que terminar hoy.We have a lot to finish today.
- LucíaTienes razón, me pongo con ello.You're right, I'll get on it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
