ponerse a trabajar
/poneɾse a tɾabaxaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "get to work" is expressed as ponerse a trabajar.
The phrase is used to describe the act of beginning a task or starting to work. While ponerse a trabajar emphasizes the transition into the act of working, you can also use empezar a trabajar for a more neutral way to say "to start working". When addressing a group to suggest starting a project together, the idiomatic expression manos a la obra is commonly used to mean "let's get to work" or "let's get down to business".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb ponerse (to put oneself) and the preposition a followed by the infinitive trabajar (to work).
Which one should you use?
ponerse a trabajar emphasizes the specific transition into the act of working, whereas empezar a trabajar is a more neutral way to state that one is starting work.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form Empezá a trabajar is an informal way to say "get to work".
How does it change in a sentence?
The reflexive verb ponerse must be used in its reflexive form when followed by the preposition a to indicate the beginning of an action. For example, to say "he/she gets to work," you conjugate the reflexive verb ponerse to se pone and keep the infinitive trabajar, resulting in se pone a trabajar.
How do you pronounce it?
/poneɾse a tɾabaxaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word trabajar comes from the Late Latin word tripālium, which referred to a three-staked instrument used for torture.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, the command Empezá a trabajar uses a unique conjugation called voseo, which differs from the standard Spanish taught in most textbooks.
- Beyond starting a job, the reflexive construction ponerse a is used for sudden emotional outbursts, such as ponerse a llorar for 'to burst into tears'.
Examples in context
- El jefe le dijo al empleado: "Póngase a trabajar en el informe de ventas."The boss told the employee: "Get to work on the sales report."
- La profesora le indicó a los estudiantes: "Comiencen a trabajar en los ejercicios del libro."The teacher indicated to the students: "Start working on the book exercises."
- Un amigo le dice a otro: "Ponte a trabajar en el proyecto, ¡se te acaba el tiempo!"A friend says to another: "Get to work on the project, you're running out of time!"
- Es hora de ponerse a trabajar.It is time to get to work.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are at a cafe with their laptops.
- SofíaDaniel, ya terminamos de desayunar.Daniel, we have already finished breakfast.
- DanielTienes razón, hay que ponerse a trabajar.You are right, we need to get to work.
- SofíaSí, tenemos mucho que hacer hoy.Yes, we have a lot to do today.
- DanielAbro mi computadora ahora mismo.I am opening my computer right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, trabajar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
