trabajo
/tɾaˈbaxo/
In Spanish, labor is translated as trabajo.
Trabajo is the most common and general term used to express work or labor. It can refer to the abstract concept of labor or a specific task or job. Depending on the context, other words may be more precise: empleo emphasizes the contractual aspect of a job, while ocupación is used to express a person's vocation or occupation.
Which one should you use?
While trabajo covers the broad concept of labor, it is also the standard term for a specific job or task. For a more formal tone, you may encounter the word labor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, chamba is an informal way to say work. In Spain, you might hear the informal term curro or the colloquial term chollo to describe a particularly good job or a lucrative opportunity. In Argentina, the word laburo is a common regional variation for work.
How does it change in a sentence?
Trabajo is a masculine noun. Its plural form is trabajos.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈbaxo/
Did you know?
- The word trabajo has a surprising connection to the number three. Its etymological roots trace back to the Latin term 'tripalis', which originally referred to a 'three-fold' instrument of punishment.
- While trabajo is the standard term, the word labor is frequently used in Spanish to describe the act of embroidery or needlework.
- In Spain, the informal noun curro for a job is so integrated into the culture that it also functions as the verb currar, meaning 'to work'.
Examples in context
- ¿Es este el Ministerio de Trabajo?Is this the Department of Labor?This sentence shows how to refer to the Department of Labor using trabajo.Tatoeba #2267350 by cueyayotl, translation #2267349 by _undertoad
- En esta compañía, el trabajo manual es necesario.Manual labor is necessary in this company.This sentence uses trabajo to describe manual labor.Tatoeba #1771948 by marcelostockle, translation #60005 by CM
- A partir de la severidad de aquellas marcas, podemos revelar si acaso cualquiera de estas personas entablaban habitualmente trabajos forzados.The severity of such marks can reveal whether or not any of these people were habitually engaged in hard labor.This sentence uses the plural trabajos to refer to hard labor or forced labor.Tatoeba #1178568 by marcelostockle, translation #49793 by papabear
- Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana.I have a lot of work this week.
- ¿Cuál es su labor en la empresa?What is your role in the company?
- Voy a empezar mi chamba nueva la próxima semana.I'm going to start my new job next week.
- Carlos encontró curro como camarero.Carlos found work as a waiter.
- Estoy buscando laburo en Buenos Aires.I'm looking for work in Buenos Aires.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing their daily tasks at the office.
- MateoTengo mucho trabajo acumulado hoy.I have a lot of work accumulated today.
- ElenaYo también, pero terminaremos pronto.Me too, but we will finish soon.
- Mateo¿Te gusta tu trabajo actual?Do you like your current job?
- ElenaSí, es muy interesante.Yes, it is very interesting.
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.
