trabajo
/tra-BA-ho/
As a noun, 'el trabajo' means 'the work' or 'the job.' This person is at their 'trabajo'.
trabajo (Noun)
📝 In Action
Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana.
A1I have a lot of work this week.
Mi hermano encontró un nuevo trabajo.
A2My brother found a new job.
El trabajo de historia es para el viernes.
B1The history paper is due on Friday.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Masculine Noun
'Trabajo' is a 'masculine' word, which just means you'll always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) with it. For example, 'el trabajo' or 'un trabajo difícil'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'trabajo' and 'viaje'
Mistake: "Sometimes learners mix up 'trabajo' (work) and 'viaje' (travel) because they sound a little similar."
Correction: Remember: 'trabajo' has a 'b' like 'business', and 'viaje' has a 'v' like 'voyage'.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Trabajo' vs. 'Empleo'
Use 'trabajo' to talk about work in general or a specific task. Use 'empleo' when you're specifically talking about a formal, paid position or employment in a more economic sense.
This is the 'I' form of the verb 'trabajar' (to work). This person is saying, 'Yo trabajo' (I work).
trabajo (Verb)
📝 In Action
Trabajo en una escuela.
A1I work at a school.
Trabajo como programador.
A2I work as a programmer.
Hoy no trabajo, es mi día libre.
A1I don't work today, it's my day off.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
The 'I' Form Pattern
For most regular verbs ending in '-ar', the 'yo' (I) form ends in '-o'. Just like 'hablar' becomes 'hablo' (I speak), 'trabajar' becomes 'trabajo' (I work).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Yo' When You Don't Need To
Mistake: "In English, we always say 'I work'. In Spanish, you can say 'Yo trabajo', but it's much more natural to just say 'Trabajo'."
Correction: The '-o' ending on 'trabajo' already tells everyone you mean 'I'. You only need to add 'Yo' if you really want to emphasize that it's YOU who is working.
⭐ Usage Tips
Noun or Verb? Let the Sentence Tell You.
If you see 'el', 'un', or 'mi' before 'trabajo', it's the noun ('my work'). If it's the main action word in the sentence, it's the verb ('I work').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trabajo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'trabajo' to mean 'job' (a noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'trabajo' and 'trabajar'?
'Trabajar' is the verb in its basic form, meaning 'to work'. 'Trabajo' can be two things: the noun for 'work/job' (el trabajo), or the verb form for 'I work' (Yo trabajo).
How do you say 'Good job!' in Spanish?
The most common way is '¡Buen trabajo!'. You can also say '¡Bien hecho!' which literally means 'Well done!'