trabajas
/trah-BAH-has/
you work
Showing a person performing labor, illustrating the meaning "you work."
trabajas(verb)
you work
?informal singular present tense (tú)
,are you working?
?in question form
you are employed
?as a state of being
📝 In Action
¿Dónde trabajas ahora, Marta?
A1Where do you work now, Marta?
Si trabajas duro, tendrás éxito.
A2If you work hard, you will have success.
Trabajas demasiado, necesitas un descanso.
A1You work too much; you need a break.
💡 Grammar Points
The Informal 'You'
The ending '-as' tells you this action is directed at 'tú' (the informal 'you'). You use this form when talking to friends, family, or people your age.
Regular -AR Pattern
Since 'trabajar' is a regular verb, you can use the same pattern for hundreds of other common verbs like 'hablar' (to talk) and 'caminar' (to walk).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing 'You' Forms
Mistake: "¿Usted trabajas aquí?"
Correction: The formal 'you' ('usted') requires the '-a' ending: '¿Usted trabaja aquí?' Remember: tú/trabajas, usted/trabaja.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking a Question
In Spanish, you don't need an extra word like 'do' to ask a question. Just raise your voice at the end: '¿Trabajas mañana?' (Do you work tomorrow?)
Depicting a system in operation, visualizing the meaning "you function."
trabajas(verb)
you function
?when personifying a system or machine
,you operate
?when speaking to a system (less common usage of 'tú')
you are running
?as in, a program or device
📝 In Action
Si sigues ese método, trabajas con mucha más eficiencia.
B1If you follow that method, you operate with much more efficiency.
¿Cómo trabajas con estos materiales tan viejos?
B1How do you manage/work with these old materials?
💡 Grammar Points
Work vs. Function
While 'trabajar' often means 'to work' (a job), it also means 'to function' or 'to operate' when referring to objects, systems, or processes. Think of it as 'doing its job'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Alternative for Machines
While 'trabajar' is correct for machines, many Spanish speakers prefer 'funcionar' (to function) when talking about whether a device is running correctly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trabajas
Question 1 of 2
If you are speaking formally to your boss, which word should you use instead of 'trabajas'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'trabajas' and 'trabaja'?
'Trabajas' means 'you work' when speaking to one person informally (tú). 'Trabaja' means 'he/she/it works' OR 'you work' when speaking to one person formally (usted).
Is 'trabajas' only used for paid jobs?
No. While it often refers to employment, it can also mean 'to make an effort' or 'to focus on a task,' like 'trabajas en tu tarea' (you work on your homework).