Tengo que trabajar
/tenɡo ke tɾabaxaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I have to work' is translated into Spanish as Tengo que trabajar.
This phrase is used to state that you are obligated to perform your job or professional duties.
Which one should you use?
While Tengo que trabajar expresses an external obligation or a necessity, Debo trabajar (I must work) often implies a more personal or moral duty.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin American Spanish, the slang term chamba is used to refer to 'work'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I have', the verb tener must be conjugated in the first person singular as tengo.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke tɾabaxaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word trabajar has a surprisingly dark origin, coming from the Late Latin tripālium, which referred to a 'torture instrument'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying Tengo que trabajar can be used as a polite 'social exit' to end a conversation without being rude.
- While chamba is common slang for 'work' in Mexico and Central America, it is not used in Spain, where curro is the preferred informal term.
Examples in context
- Tengo que trabajar mañana.I have to work tomorrow.This sentence shows how to use Tengo que trabajar when talking about a specific time like tomorrow.Tatoeba #2532246 by marcelostockle, translation #2185169 by Hybrid
- Tengo que trabajar duro para recuperar el tiempo perdido.I have to work hard to make up for lost time.This sentence uses Tengo que trabajar to express the need to work hard to recover lost time.Tatoeba #7714983 by arh, translation #7714890 by CK
- No importa lo cansado que pueda estar, tengo que trabajar.No matter how tired I might be, I have to work.This sentence uses Tengo que trabajar to show that the obligation remains regardless of how tired you are.Tatoeba #1701841 by teskmon, translation #1449835 by CK
- Debo trabajar hasta tarde esta noche.I must work late tonight.
- Tengo que currar el fin de semana.I have to work on the weekend.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are saying goodbye at the beginning of the day.
- JavierLo siento, María, pero tengo que trabajar.I'm sorry, María, but I have to work.
- María¿No puedes venir a la fiesta?Can't you come to the party?
- JavierNo puedo, tengo que trabajar todo el día.I can't, I have to work all day.
- MaríaEstá bien, que te vaya bien, Javier.Alright, have a good one, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries que, trabajar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
