empleo
“empleo” means “job” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
job
Also: employment, occupation
📝 In Action
Busco un empleo a tiempo parcial para pagar mis estudios.
A1I am looking for a part-time job to pay for my studies.
Mi hermano consiguió un nuevo empleo en una empresa de tecnología.
A2My brother got a new job at a technology company.
El nivel de empleo en la región ha mejorado significativamente este año.
B1The employment level in the region has improved significantly this year.
use
Also: application, utilization
📝 In Action
El empleo de nuevas tecnologías mejoró la producción.
B2The use of new technologies improved production.
Se requiere un empleo cuidadoso de las sustancias químicas.
C1Careful application of the chemical substances is required.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: empleo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'empleo' in its primary meaning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the verb 'emplear', which itself traces back to the Latin word 'implicāre', meaning 'to involve' or 'to entangle'. Over time, this evolved to mean 'to put into service' or 'to use', leading to the modern sense of 'job' or 'use'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'empleo' the same as 'trabajo'?
'Empleo' and 'trabajo' both mean 'job' or 'work', but 'empleo' specifically focuses on the *position* or the state of being *employed* (like 'employment'). 'Trabajo' can refer to the effort, the physical activity, or the place of work. They are often interchangeable, but 'empleo' is better for formal contexts like job hunting or economic reports.
Does 'empleo' also mean 'I use' or 'I employ'?
Yes, 'empleo' is also the 'yo' (I) form of the verb 'emplear' (to use/to employ) in the present tense (e.g., 'Yo empleo mi tiempo libre para leer' - I use my free time to read). You must rely on the context of the sentence to know if it's the noun ('the job') or the verb ('I use').