trabajo en curso
/tɾabaxo en kuɾso/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'work in progress' can be translated into Spanish as trabajo en curso.
trabajo en curso is typically used in professional, administrative or technical contexts to describe tasks that are currently being handled.
Meaning: project (noun)
Which one should you use?
While trabajo en curso is used for tasks and technical matters, you may use obra en curso when referring specifically to a construction project or a creative work such as a book or a painting. Additionally, Proceso en Desarrollo serves as a more formal way to express the concept of work in progress.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾabaxo en kuɾso/
Did you know?
- The word trabajo is an unexpected relative of the English word 'trip', as both share roots in the concept of 'tri' or 'three' through complex historical linguistic paths.
- To describe a person who is overwhelmed by a 'work in progress', speakers in some regions use the slang estoy a tope. This describes a state of being at maximum capacity rather than the status of the project.
- The word curso in trabajo en curso is a direct descendant of the Latin cursus, which means a running or a race. This implies that a project in progress is effectively 'running' toward its completion.
Examples in context
- Nuestro proyecto está en desarrollo todavía.Our project is still a work in progress.
- Este diseño es un trabajo en curso.This design is a work in progress.
- El informe sigue siendo un trabajo en curso.The report is still a work in progress.
- No puedo mostrarlo porque es un trabajo en curso.I cannot show it because it is a work in progress.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project at the office.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿ya terminaste la presentación?Alejandro, have you finished the presentation yet?
- AlejandroNo, todavía es un trabajo en curso.No, it is still a work in progress.
- María¿Cuándo crees que estará lista, María?When do you think it will be ready, Maria?
- AlejandroEspero terminarla para mañana por la tarde.I hope to finish it by tomorrow afternoon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curso, en, trabajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
