Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| trabalho | /tɾaˈba.ʎu/ (Brazil) /tɾɐˈba.ʎu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| emprego | /ẽˈpɾe.ɡu/ (Brazil) /ĩˈpɾe.ɡu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
Portuguese uses different words depending on whether you are referring to the general concept of effort and tasks, or a specific professional position. Trabalho refers broadly to work, a task or labor. Emprego is used when discussing a specific position of employment or the state of being employed. Common phrases include no trabalho, which means "at work" (literally "in the work").
Which one should you use?
While both mean work, trabalho refers more broadly to the effort, task or the concept of work itself, whereas emprego specifically refers to a formal job or employment position.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the slang trampo is widely used for work and the term bico is commonly used to describe temporary or informal work. The slang correria is also used in Brazil to describe a hustle or busy work.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word trabalho is a masculine noun. It is also a homonym for the first-person singular present indicative of the verb trabalhar (to work), meaning "I work".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tɾaˈba.ʎu/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- When you want to describe a side job or a quick gig to earn extra cash, you call it a bico, which literally translates to 'beak'.
- The word trabalho is a linguistic fossil of the word 'travail', sharing the same root meaning of 'pain' or 'suffering'.
- The verb trabalhar is used in the expression trabalhar o corpo, which means to exercise or workout, treating the body as the object of labor.
Examples in context
- O Tom trabalhou lá?Did Tom work there?This sentence is useful for asking if someone worked in a specific location using the verb form of trabalho.Tatoeba #4704941 by Ricardo14, translation #2261198 by CK
- Como vai o trabalho?How are things at work?This sentence is useful for asking how someone's work is going using the noun form of trabalho.Tatoeba #871732 by alexmarcelo, translation #569277 by CM
- Fiz todo o trabalho.I did all the work.This sentence is useful for stating that a task was completed using the noun form of trabalho.Tatoeba #1123387 by alexmarcelo, translation #1419577 by CK
- Eu amo o meu trabalho.I love my work.
- Precisamos discutir esse assunto de trabalho.We need to discuss this work matter.
- Qual é a sua ocupação atualmente?What is your current occupation?
- Estou procurando emprego neste setor.I am looking for a job in this sector.
- O respeito ao labor do trabalhador é fundamental.Respect for the labor of the worker is essential.
- Tô atrasado pro trampo!I'm late for work!
- Faço alguns bicos aos fins de semana.I do some odd jobs on weekends.
- Minha vida é só correria, não tenho tempo livre.My life is just hustle, I don't have free time.
- 1152 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are talking at a cafe about their daily routines.
- FelipeComo está o seu trabalho, Mariana?How is your work, Mariana?
- MarianaEstá muito corrido, Felipe.It is very busy, Felipe.
- FelipeVocê precisa de ajuda no trabalho?Do you need help at work?
- MarianaObrigada, mas hoje eu consigo.Thanks, but I can manage today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “work” translations and entries trabalho, emprego, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries emprego, trabalho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
