sin trabajo
/sin tɾabaxo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "no work" is expressed as sin trabajo.
This phrase describes the state of being unemployed or not having a job. While sin trabajo describes the situation of lacking work, you can also use the specific adjective desempleado to mean "unemployed".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition sin (without) and the noun trabajo (work/job).
Which one should you use?
Use sin trabajo to describe the lack of a job, whereas sin empleo is a slightly more formal way to express being "without employment".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on the region, different informal terms for "work" are used. In Latin America, you may hear No hay chamba (There's no work) and in some Latin American countries, No hay laburo (There's no work) is used. In Spain, the informal expression is No hay curro (There's no job).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sin trabajo is used as an adverbial phrase to describe a state or condition.
How do you pronounce it?
/sin tɾabaxo/
Did you know?
- The word chamba used in Mexico and Central America is believed by some historians to come from the English word 'chamber'. It likely referred to the rooms where laborers were hired in the 19th century.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, the word laburo is used for 'work' instead of trabajo. This term is borrowed from the Italian word lavoro due to massive Italian immigration.
- While sin trabajo is common, a person might say estoy en el paro in Spain. This refers specifically to being on the official government unemployment register.
Examples in context
- Sin trabajo, no puedo ahorrar dinero.With no work, I can't save any money.This sentence shows how having no work impacts the ability to save money using sin trabajo.Tatoeba #987445 by darinmex, translation #535037 by blay_paul
- No hay trabajo disponible en este momento, lo siento.There is no work available at the moment, I'm sorry.
- ¿Te gustaría trabajar en mi proyecto este fin de semana?Would you like to work on my project this weekend?
- No hay chamba este fin de semana, lo siento.There's no work this weekend, sorry.
- Él está sin trabajo desde el mes pasado.He has been without work since last month.
- Mi hermano está sin trabajo ahora mismo.My brother is without work right now.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their family members' employment situations.
- Daniel¿Cómo está tu hermano?How is your brother?
- SofíaÉl está sin trabajo actualmente.He is without work currently.
- DanielLo siento mucho, Sofía.I am very sorry, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, Daniel.Thank you, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
