trabajador
/tɾabaxaˈdoɾ/
The English phrase 'hard working person' is translated into Spanish as trabajador.
trabajador refers to a person who puts a lot of effort and care into their work. While it can function as a noun meaning 'worker', it is frequently used as an adjective to describe someone's character as being hard working.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term currante is an informal way to refer to a hard working person in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on gender and number. Use trabajadora when referring to a female hard working person. For a group of men or a mixed group of men and women, use the masculine plural trabajadores. If the group consists only of women, use the feminine plural trabajadoras.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾabaxaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb trabajar is thought to be linked to the Latin word 'tripalium', a three-staked instrument of torture. This suggests that the very concept of 'work' in Spanish is etymologically tied to physical suffering and hardship.
- The suffix -dor in trabajador is a direct descendant of the Latin -tor, which is the same root used to create English words like 'actor' or 'editor'.
- While trabajador is used everywhere, the informal term currante is specific to Spain. In Latin America, this word would likely be misunderstood or not recognized as meaning 'hard working'.
Examples in context
- María es una persona muy trabajadora y dedicada a su empleo.Maria is a very hard working and dedicated person to her job.
- Queremos reconocer el esfuerzo de Juan, una persona laboriosa y comprometida con su trabajo.We want to recognize the effort of Juan, a hard working and committed person to his work.
- Marta es una persona esforzada, siempre dispuesta a dar lo mejor de sí misma.Marta is a hard working person, always willing to give her best.
- Luis es una persona trabajadora a más no poder, siempre está ocupado haciendo algo.Luis is a hard working person to the utmost, he is always busy doing something.
- Mi hermano es un currante incansable, siempre se esfuerza al máximo en todo lo que hace.My brother is a tireless hard worker, he always exerts himself to the maximum in everything he does.
- Mi padre es un hombre muy trabajador.My father is a very hard working person.
- Es necesario ser un trabajador dedicado.It is necessary to be a dedicated hard working person.
- Ella siempre ha sido una mujer trabajadora.She has always been a hard working woman.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a new colleague.
- Mateo¿Qué te parece el nuevo empleado, Sofía?What do you think of the new employee, Sofía?
- SofíaMe parece que es muy trabajador.I think he is a very hard working person.
- MateoSí, termina todas sus tareas rápido.Yes, he finishes all his tasks quickly.
- SofíaEs un buen ejemplo para todos.He is a good example for everyone.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trabajador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
