puesto de trabajo
/pwesto de tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "job name" is translated into Spanish as puesto de trabajo.
Puesto de trabajo refers to a specific job slot or position within a company. If you are literally asking for the specific title or name of a position, such as when filling out a form, the more precise phrase is nombre del puesto.
Which one should you use?
While puesto de trabajo refers to the specific job position itself, the word cargo is often used to describe a higher-level role or a specific responsibility within a hierarchy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term for a waiter or waitress varies by region: in Mexico, you will hear Mesero or Mesera, whereas throughout the Spanish-speaking world, Camarero or Camarera is common. In Spain, a veterinarian is commonly referred to as Veterinario.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, change puesto to puestos while keeping trabajo in its singular form, resulting in puestos de trabajo. Many job titles also change based on gender. For example, a female engineer is la ingeniera.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, it is common to use the phrase tener un puesto to mean both 'holding a job' and 'having a market stall'. Because puesto means 'place' or 'stand', context is the only way to know if someone works in an office or a street market.
- The word trabajo contains a hidden history related to the number three. It is believed to stem from ancient roots involving the Latin term for 'three-fold', linking a daily occupation to a much older mathematical concept.
- When referring to a job role, Spanish often omits the indefinite article. While an English speaker says 'I am a manager', a Spanish speaker says soy gerente, as adding the article can sometimes imply that the role is just one of many options rather than a professional identity.
Examples in context
- Mi puesto de trabajo es gerente de ventas.My job title is sales manager.
- Ese puesto de trabajo requiere mucha experiencia.That job position requires a lot of experience.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing a job opening at a local company.
- Javier¿Sabes cuál es el puesto de trabajo disponible?Do you know what the available job position is?
- MaríaEs para analista de datos.It is for a data analyst.
- JavierEs un puesto de trabajo muy interesante.It is a very interesting job position.
- MaríaSí, deberías enviar tu currículum.Yes, you should send your resume.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, puesto, trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
