trabajo
/tɾaˈbaxo/
trabajo is the Spanish word for work.
The term refers to the activity of doing a job to earn money or the effort put into completing a task.
Which one should you use?
While trabajo is often used as a noun meaning 'the job', it is also a specific verb form meaning 'I work', which distinguishes it from other conjugations such as trabajas (you work) or trabaja (he/she works).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Several regional terms exist for work or a job: Chamba and Jale are used in Mexico and parts of Central America, Laburo is common in Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile and Curro is used in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word trabajo can function as the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb trabajar, meaning 'I work'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈbaxo/
Did you know?
- While trabajo means 'work', Spanish uses the phrase dar trabajo to describe something that is difficult or troublesome to deal with, regardless of whether it is a professional task.
- While trabajo is the standard word, some regions use laburo, which is believed to be an influence from the Italian word lavoro.
- In some Latin American countries, saying tengo mucho trabajo can be used as a polite way to decline a social invitation without saying 'no' directly.
Examples in context
- Mi ocupación principal es la enfermeríaMy main occupation is nursing.
- Mi trabajo requiere mucha labor físicaMy job requires a lot of physical labor.
- Me gusta mi chamba porque es muy divertidaI like my job because it's a lot of fun.
- Voy a buscar otro curro que tenga mejores condicionesI'm going to look for another job that has better conditions.
- Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.I have a lot of work today.
- El trabajo es muy difícil.The work is very difficult.
- Busco un trabajo nuevo.I am looking for a new job.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about their daily routines.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿a qué hora sales del trabajo?Daniel, what time do you leave work?
- DanielSuelo salir a las seis, Sofía.I usually leave at six, Sofia.
- SofíaTienes mucho trabajo esta semana.You have a lot of work this week.
- DanielSí, tengo que terminar un informe.Yes, I have to finish a report.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
