multitarea
/multitaɾea/from spelling rulesfeminine
Multitasking in Spanish is multitarea.
Multitarea refers to the practice or capability of handling more than one task at the same time. While multitarea is the standard Spanish term, you may also encounter the anglicism multitasking in technical or computing contexts.
Meaning: practice or capability of handling more than one task at the same time (figuratively) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of the prefix multi- (many) and tarea (task).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun multitarea is feminine. It can be used in its plural form, multitareas, when referring to multiple instances of multitasking or multiple tasks being handled.
How do you pronounce it?
/multitaɾea/
Did you know?
- The word tarea in multitarea shares an ancient root with the Arabic word ṭarīḥa, which relates to something thrown or cast down. This reflects the historical influence of Arabic on the Spanish language.
- In Spanish, tarea can refer to a professional assignment or to school homework. This means multitarea can sound like someone is juggling multiple homework assignments rather than professional projects.
- In casual conversation, Spanish speakers rarely use the single word multitarea and instead prefer the phrase hacer varias cosas a la vez, which means 'doing several things at once'.
Examples in context
- Durante mi trabajo, tengo que realizar múltiples tareas al mismo tiempo.During my job, I have to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
- En mi rol, debo desarrollar varias actividades simultáneamente para ser más productivo.In my role, I must develop various activities simultaneously to be more productive.
- Hoy tengo que hacer malabarismos entre el trabajo, los niños y las tareas de la casa.Today I have to juggle between work, the kids, and household chores.
- La multitarea es difícil para algunos estudiantes.Multitasking is difficult for some students.
- La multitarea es útil en la oficina.Multitasking is useful in the office.
- No soy buena con la multitarea.I am not good at multitasking.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing their productivity in the office.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿cómo haces tantas cosas a la vez?Alejandro, how do you do so many things at once?
- AlejandroSimplemente aplico la multitarea para avanzar más.I simply use multitasking to make more progress.
- LucíaYo me distraigo mucho intentando hacer eso.I get very distracted trying to do that.
- AlejandroEs cuestión de práctica, Lucía.It is a matter of practice, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “multitasking” translations and entries multitarea, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries multitarea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
