trabajar duro
/tɾabaxaɾ duɾo/from spelling rules
To work hard in Spanish is to say trabajar duro.
The phrase trabajar duro is a generic and widely used way to express the idea of putting a lot of effort and energy into a job or task.
Which one should you use?
trabajar duro emphasizes the intensity or difficulty of the effort, whereas trabajar mucho focuses more on the quantity or duration of the work.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, the informal phrase Echarle Ganas is commonly used to mean 'to put in effort' or 'to give it your all'. In Chile, the casual expression Darle Rosca is used to say 'work hard'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of working hard, you can use the gerund form trabajando duro.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾabaxaɾ duɾo/
Did you know?
- The word trabajar is surprisingly violent in its origins, coming from a Latin term for a 'torture instrument'.
- The phrase ponerse las pilas is often used alongside trabajar duro to tell someone to 'put their batteries in' and start working with energy.
- While trabajar duro describes the effort, Spanish speakers often use matarse trabajando to describe working so hard it feels like a slow death.
Examples in context
- Tienes que trabajar duro.You have to work hard.This sentence shows how to use trabajar duro with the verb 'have to'.Tatoeba #1326182 by marcelostockle, translation #69682 by CK
- Fuimos forzados a trabajar duro.We were forced to work hard.This sentence shows how to use trabajar duro in a passive construction.Tatoeba #3773805 by cueyayotl, translation #22953 by CK
- Debes trabajar duro para triunfar.You must work hard to succeed.This sentence shows how to use trabajar duro to express a requirement for success.Tatoeba #1638692 by marcelostockle, translation #1637208 by Spamster
- María es una empleada comprometida que trabaja duro en su empresa.María is a dedicated employee who works hard in her company.
- ¡No te rindas! Sigue echándole ganas a tu trabajo.Don't give up! Keep working hard at your job.
- Si quieres alcanzar tus metas, tienes que meterle duro al trabajo.If you want to achieve your goals, you have to work hard.
- No puedo salir esta noche, tengo que currar duro para terminar el proyecto.I can't go out tonight, I have to work hard to finish the project.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing their goals for a new project.
- JavierTenemos que trabajar duro este mes.We have to work hard this month.
- LucíaEstoy de acuerdo, Javier.I agree, Javier.
- Javier¿Crees que podemos terminar a tiempo?Do you think we can finish on time?
- LucíaSí, si seguimos trabajando duro, lo lograremos.Yes, if we keep working hard, we will make it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duro, trabajar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
