oficios
/ofiθjos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "trades" is translated into Spanish as oficios.
The term oficios is used to describe manual or technical jobs such as carpentry, plumbing or masonry.
Which one should you use?
While oficios refers to skilled manual trades, profesiones is used for academic or professional careers requiring university degrees.
How do you pronounce it?
/ofiθjos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a person working in a trade might be called a 'maestro', which translates to 'master' or 'teacher'. This title is a mark of respect for someone who has fully mastered their craft.
- In a bureaucratic setting, an oficio is not a manual trade at all, but a formal, official document or memorandum used in government correspondence.
- In Spanish legal contexts, the phrase de oficio refers to a procedure that starts automatically by the court's own initiative, without needing a formal request from a party.
Examples in context
- Estoy interesado en el intercambio de bienes y servicios.I'm interested in the trade of goods and services.
- Los acuerdos comerciales facilitan el comercio internacional.Commercial agreements facilitate international trade.
- Podemos hacer un trueque de productos sin gastar dinero.We can barter products without spending money.
- ¿Quieres cambiar tus libros por los míos?Do you want to exchange your books for mine?
- Necesito hacer un intercambio de artículos en el mercado.I need to make an exchange of items at the market.
- Podemos comerciar nuestros productos en la feria.We can trade our products at the fair.
- ¡Hagamos trueque! Dame tu reloj y te doy mi bicicleta.Let's barter! Give me your watch, and I'll give you my bicycle.
- Los pescadores hacen cambios de sus capturas en el puerto.The fishermen make exchanges with their catches at the harbor.
- Él aprendió varios oficios interesantes.He learned several interesting trades.
- Los antiguos oficios se están perdiendo.The ancient trades are being lost.
- Ella busca trabajar en nuevos oficios.She is looking to work in new trades.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing career choices.
- MateoMe interesan los oficios técnicos.I am interested in technical trades.
- SofíaSon muy útiles, Mateo.They are very useful, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Sabes de algunos oficios bien pagados?Do you know of any well-paid trades?
- SofíaSí, la electricidad es una buena opción.Yes, electricity is a good option.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
