yendo a trabajar
/ʝendo a tɾabaxaɾ/from spelling rules
The phrase "going to work" in Spanish is translated as yendo a trabajar.
The phrase refers to the act of traveling from home to one's place of employment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the gerund yendo (going) and the prepositional phrase a trabajar (to work).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear the colloquial expression Ir al curro to mean going to work. In Argentina, the colloquial way to say this is ir al laburo.
How does it change in a sentence?
While yendo a trabajar is the continuous form (going), the infinitive ir a trabajar is used to express the general habit or the intention to go to work.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝendo a tɾabaxaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word trabajar comes from a root meaning 'torture instrument'. It is derived from the Latin word 'tripālium', which referred to a device used for inflicting pain.
- The word laburo used in Argentina is derived from the Italian word lavoro, reflecting the heavy Italian immigration to the region.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word trabajo can mean both the place where you go and the actual task you perform, making the distinction between 'the job' and 'the workplace' ambiguous.
Examples in context
- Cuando Juan me vio, yo estaba yendo a trabajar.I was going to work when John saw me.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the continuous form yendo a trabajar in a past context.Tatoeba #2110761 by alexmarcelo, translation #2857967 by mervert1
- Voy al trabajo en autobús.I go to work by bus.
- Ella va al trabajo en metro.She goes to work by subway.
- Debemos ir al trabajo temprano.We must go to work early.
- Voy al curro en bicicleta.I go to work by bike.
- Estoy yendo a trabajar ahora mismo.I am going to work right now.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofia meet by chance on the sidewalk.
- JavierHola Sofía, ¿adónde vas?Hi Sofia, where are you going?
- SofíaHola Javier, estoy yendo a trabajar ahora.Hi Javier, I am going to work now.
- JavierQué coincidencia, yo también voy.What a coincidence, I am going too.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Caminemos juntos.Great! Let's walk together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, trabajar, yendo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
