What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hacer (to do/make), la (the) and tarea (task/homework).
Which one should you use?
While hacer la tarea is a universal way to express the concept, you may encounter hacer los deberes specifically in Spain or the expression ponerse con los deberes when someone wants to say they are going to 'get on with' the homework.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Hacer los deberes is a common way to say 'to do homework' in Spain. The expression ponerse con los deberes, meaning 'to get on with the homework', is used in Spain and some Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be used in the plural form hacer las tareas when you are referring to multiple different assignments.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ la taɾea/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often omit the definite article, but it is standard in Spanish to include it. Instead of saying hacer tarea, you should say hacer la tarea.
Did you know?
- The word tarea comes from the Arabic word ṭarīḥa, which referred to an 'endeavor' and shares a root with the verb 'to throw'.
- In Spain, the preferred term los deberes literally translates to 'the duties', framing homework as a moral or social obligation rather than just a 'task'.
- In some contexts, tarea refers to a physical piece of work or a chore rather than schoolwork, which can lead to confusion in a household setting.
Examples in context
- ¿Usted hizo la tarea?Did you do your homework?
- Mis estudiantes tienen que hacer la tarea todos los días.My students have to do homework every day.
- ¿Has realizado las tareas que te asignaron?Have you completed the tasks you were assigned?
- Voy a ponerme con los deberes después del almuerzo.I'm going to get on with the homework after lunch.
- ¿Hiciste los deberes que mandó la profe?Did you do the homework the teacher assigned?
- Tengo que hacer la tarea de matemáticas.I have to do my math homework.
- ¿Quieres hacer la tarea conmigo en la biblioteca?Do you want to do homework with me in the library?
- No puedo salir porque debo hacer la tarea.I cannot go out because I must do my homework.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking after their classes at school.
- MateoMaría, ¿ya terminaste de hacer la tarea?María, have you finished doing your homework yet?
- MaríaNo, todavía tengo que hacer la tarea de historia.No, I still have to do my history homework.
- MateoYo también debo hacer la tarea de ciencias.I must do my science homework too.
- MaríaEntonces, vamos a la biblioteca a trabajar.Then, let's go to the library to work.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, la, tarea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
