trabajo
/tɾaˈbaxo/
The Spanish phrase for 'I work' is trabajo.
trabajo is used to state that you have a job or are currently performing a task. Depending on the context, the word trabajo can function as a verb meaning 'I work' or as a noun meaning 'work' or 'job'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form trabajo includes the 'I' meaning within the verb ending, so the subject pronoun yo is usually omitted.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈbaxo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to add a pronoun like yo before every verb, but trabajo is sufficient on its own.
Did you know?
- The history of the word trabajo is rooted in the concept of 'pain' or 'torture', stemming from the Latin word 'tripalium', which was a three-staked instrument of punishment.
- While trabajo is standard, in some Caribbean dialects, the word can be used in slang to refer to a 'hit' or a criminal job.
- The word trabajo can be used in the phrase ¡Qué trabajo!, which is a common way to express that a specific task was extremely difficult or exhausting.
Examples in context
- Trabajo en un bar.I work at a bar.This sentence is useful for stating your place of work.Tatoeba #13491659 by Shishir, translation #2549539 by CK
- Trabajo más que tú.I work more than you.This sentence is useful for making comparisons about how much you work.Tatoeba #6592492 by arh, translation #9203034 by DJ_Saidez
- Trabajo tanto como tú.I work as much as you.This sentence is useful for stating that you work an equal amount to someone else.Tatoeba #1331648 by Shishir, translation #1079590 by CM
- Trabajo en una oficinaI work in an office
- Desempeño un empleo en una empresa de tecnologíaI hold a job in a technology company
- Tengo empleo en una agencia de viajesI have employment in a travel agency
- Laburo en un caféI work in a café
- Laburo en una peluquería. ¿Y tú?I work in a hair salon. And you?
- Curro en una agencia de publicidadI work in an advertising agency
- Trabajo como médico en un hospital reconocido.I work as a doctor in a renowned hospital.
- Trabajo en una tienda de ropaI work in a clothing store
- 116 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about their weekly schedules.
- Lucía¿Estás libre el lunes, Daniel?Are you free on Monday, Daniel?
- DanielNo, el lunes trabajo.No, I work on Monday.
- LucíaYo también trabajo ese día.I work that day too.
- DanielEntonces veamos el martes.Then let's meet on Tuesday.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
