trabajos
/tɾabaxos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'jobs' is translated into Spanish as trabajos.
The term trabajos can refer to 'works' in the sense of artistic works or specific tasks/assignments. For more formal contexts regarding employment or professional positions, you might use empleo or ocupación (occupation).
What does it mean word for word?
trabajos can mean 'works', 'tasks' or 'jobs'.
Which one should you use?
While trabajos is the common word for jobs, empleo is a more formal term often used in professional or economic contexts to refer to employment or positions. ocupación is also a formal term for 'occupation' used in a professional context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is trabajo.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /tɾabaxos/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the noun trabajo (a job) with the verb trabajar (to work). Note that depending on the context, trabajo can mean both 'a job' and 'I work'.
Did you know?
- The word trabajo shares a root with the Latin tripalium, which was a three-pronged instrument used for torture. Originally, the word referred to suffering or extreme effort rather than a professional career.
- A 'job hunter' is not typically called a 'cazador de trabajos', but rather someone that 'busca empleo'. Using the word 'cazador' sounds unnaturally aggressive in a professional context.
- While trabajo is the general term, the word oficio is used specifically for 'trades' or skilled manual jobs, such as carpentry or plumbing, distinguishing them from professional 'careers' (carreras).
Examples in context
- Tom tiene tres trabajos.Tom held down three jobs.This sentence is useful for showing how to express holding multiple jobs using trabajos.Tatoeba #10168059 by manufrutos, translation #10165366 by CK
- Déjelos mantener sus trabajos.Let them keep their jobs.This sentence is useful for discussing the retention of trabajos.Tatoeba #1388330 by marcelostockle, translation #806892 by Source_VOA
- Podríamos perder nuestros trabajos.We could lose our jobs.This sentence is useful for expressing the possibility of losing trabajos.Tatoeba #10024660 by manufrutos, translation #10024492 by CK
- Estoy buscando un empleo nuevo.I am looking for a new job.
- Mi trabajo actual es muy exigente.My current job is very demanding.
- Mi hermano tiene una ocupación bien remunerada.My brother has a well-paid occupation.
- ¿Tienes chamba?Do you have a job?
- Necesito una chamba urgente.I need a job urgently.
- ¿Cómo te va en el curro nuevo?How's your new job going?
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the current employment market.
- JavierHay muchos trabajos nuevos en la ciudad.There are many new jobs in the city.
- MaríaSí, pero son trabajos muy difíciles.Yes, but they are very difficult jobs.
- JavierJavier, ¿estás buscando trabajos de oficina?Javier, are you looking for office jobs?
- MaríaNo, prefiero otros trabajos más creativos.No, I prefer other more creative jobs.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
