Looking up...
trabajo
/tɾaˈβa.xo/
work
Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana.
I have a lot of work this week.
general
Activity directed toward making or doing something; labor.
Busco un trabajo estable.
I'm looking for a stable job.
Refers to both the act of working and the place where one works (job).
Business
economics/business
Productive activity, especially for economic gain.
El trabajo en equipo es clave para el éxito.
Teamwork is key to success.
Often used in phrases like 'trabajo remoto' (remote work).
general
Piece of work to be done; task.
Tengo varios trabajos pendientes.
I have several pending tasks.
Can also refer to a school assignment ('trabajo de investigación').
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'trabajo' as job vs. task
When 'trabajo' refers to a job (position), it often follows verbs like 'buscar' (to look for), 'tener' (to have), or 'perder' (to lose). When it means 'task,' it often appears with 'hacer' (to do) or 'terminar' (to finish).
Gold Rule
Pluralization of 'trabajo'
'Trabajo' becomes 'trabajos' in plural. 'Trabajos' can mean multiple jobs or tasks, but not multiple workplaces (use 'empleos' or 'puestos' for positions).
Word Origin
From Latin *tripalium* (instrument of torture), later evolving to mean 'effort' or 'labor' in Vulgar Latin. The shift to modern meanings occurred in Medieval Latin.
Usage Notes
Used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Trabajo' can refer to the act of working, a job position, or a task. In some regions, 'trabajo' as a job may be replaced by 'empleo' or 'puesto'.
Word Breakdown
trabaj-
root related to labor/effort
root-o
noun suffix (masculine singular)
suffixDiccionario Español-Inglés