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trabajar means to work — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 10, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

trabajar

verb • /[trah-bah-HAR]/

to work

Example:

Mañana trabajo desde las nueve hasta las cinco.

Tomorrow I work from nine until five.

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🧠 What does trabajar mean?

Trabajar is a common Spanish verb meaning "to work." It can refer to various forms of work, from professional employment to household chores or studying. It's a regular -ar verb, making it relatively straightforward to conjugate.

📚 Extra examples

  • Trabajo en una oficina.
    I work in an office.
  • Ella trabaja mucho.
    She works a lot.
  • Ellos trabajan juntos en el proyecto.
    They work together on the project.
  • Tenemos que trabajar duro para lograr nuestras metas.
    We have to work hard to achieve our goals.
  • Estoy trabajando en mi español.
    I'm working on my Spanish.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to work' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to work' is 'trabajar.'
How do you pronounce 'trabajar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced trah-bah-HAR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'trabajar' in a sentence?
You can use 'trabajar' like this: 'Yo trabajo en una escuela' (I work in a school).
What is the English translation of 'trabajar'?
'Trabajar' translates to 'to work' in English.
Does 'trabajar' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'trabajar' conjugates according to the subject pronoun. For example, 'yo trabajo' (I work), 'él trabaja' (he works), 'nosotros trabajamos' (we work).
Is 'trabajar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'trabajar' is a very common verb used in everyday conversations.
Does 'trabajar' have slang or double meanings?
While 'trabajar' primarily means 'to work,' it can sometimes be used colloquially with other verbs to indicate effort or manipulation, like 'trabajar a alguien' (to work someone, meaning to manipulate or trick them).
Is 'trabajar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning and usage of 'trabajar' are consistent across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'trabajar' in Spanish?
Here are the present tense conjugations: Yo trabajo (I work) Tú trabajas (You work) Él/Ella/Usted trabaja (He/She/You formal work) Nosotros/Nosotras trabajamos (We work) Vosotros/Vosotras trabajáis (You all work - Spain) Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes trabajan (They/You all work)

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "trabajar"

Synonyms: laborar, currar (colloquial Spain)
Opposites: descansar, relajarse

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'trabajo' (work, noun) comes from the Latin word 'tripalium,' which was a three-staked instrument of torture! Thankfully, 'trabajar' doesn't carry such a negative connotation today.

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