trabajas
“trabajas” means “you work” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you work, are you working?
Also: you are employed
📝 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.
you function, you operate
Also: you are running
📝 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?
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ 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
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from a Latin root related to hard labor and difficulty. The original word, *tripalium*, was an instrument of restraint or torture. Over time, the meaning softened from 'to suffer/torment' to simply 'to work' or 'to toil hard.'
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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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).