trabajamos
trah-bah-HAH-mos
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Nosotros trabajamos juntos en la oficina principal.
A1We work together in the main office.
Ayer trabajamos hasta muy tarde para terminar el proyecto.
A2Yesterday we worked until very late to finish the project.
Si trabajamos con cuidado, no cometeremos errores.
B1If we work carefully, we won't make mistakes.
Cuando vivíamos allí, trabajamos en esa fábrica.
B1When we lived there, we worked in that factory.
💡 Grammar Points
Two Tenses, One Form
The form 'trabajamos' is used for two different tenses: 'we work' (Present Tense) and 'we worked' (Past Tense, or Preterite). You must rely on context or time words (like 'ayer' or 'hoy') to know which one is being used.
The 'We' Subjunctive
The form 'trabajemos' (with an 'e') is the special verb form used when expressing wishes, doubts, or suggestions about what 'we' do: 'Espero que trabajemos bien' (I hope that we work well).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Present and Preterite
Mistake: "Using 'trabajamos' for the past when the time frame is ambiguous."
Correction: Always include a time marker (like 'la semana pasada') when using 'trabajamos' in the past tense if the context isn't clear, especially when speaking to beginners.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the 'AR' Pattern
Since 'trabajar' is a regular 'AR' verb, this conjugation pattern (ending in -amos) applies to hundreds of other verbs like 'hablar' (hablamos) and 'estudiar' (estudiamos).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trabajamos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'trabajamos' to mean 'we worked' (past tense)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'trabajamos' always about having a job?
No. While it most often means having a job, it can also mean 'to function' (El motor trabaja bien—The engine works well) or simply 'to make an effort' (Trabajamos en mejorar—We are working on improving).
How do I know if 'trabajamos' is present or past tense?
You rely on the context! Look for time words like 'ayer' (yesterday) for the past, or 'siempre' (always) or 'todos los días' (every day) for the present. If the context is missing, Spanish speakers often add a time word to clarify.