I work from home
in SpanishTrabajo desde casa
/trah-BAH-ho DEHS-deh KAH-sah/
This is the most direct, common, and universally understood way to say 'I work from home' across the entire Spanish-speaking world. It's perfect for any situation, formal or informal.
Whether you call it 'trabajo desde casa', 'teletrabajo', or 'home office', working remotely offers flexibility and comfort.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Hago teletrabajo
/AH-go teh-leh-trah-BAH-ho/
Literally 'I do telework.' This is a more formal or official term, often used in corporate or legal contexts, especially in Spain. It sounds professional and established.
Trabajo en remoto
/trah-BAH-ho ehn rreh-MOH-toh/
Meaning 'I work remotely,' this has become extremely popular with the rise of digital nomads and tech jobs. It focuses more on the 'remote' nature of the work rather than the 'home' location.
Hago home office
/AH-go hohm-OFF-iss/
This is a very common Anglicism (a word borrowed from English) used in many parts of Latin America. It's pronounced with a Spanish accent and is perfectly normal in everyday business and casual conversations.
Estoy trabajando desde casa
/ehs-TOY trah-bah-HAHN-doh DEHS-deh KAH-sah/
This is the present progressive form, meaning 'I am working from home.' It emphasizes that you are doing the action right now.
Mi oficina está en mi casa
/mee oh-fee-SEE-nah ehs-TAH ehn mee KAH-sah/
A more descriptive and slightly playful way to say 'My office is in my house.' It’s not a standard phrase but is a perfectly natural way to express the idea in a friendly conversation.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best phrase for your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trabajo desde casa | Neutral | Any situation, anywhere. It's the safest and most universal option. | Never necessary to avoid, but other options might sound more specific or natural in certain contexts. |
| Hago teletrabajo | Formal | Formal business settings, resumes, and general use in Spain. | Casual conversations where it might sound a bit stiff, especially in Latin America. |
| Trabajo en remoto | Neutral | Tech jobs, digital nomads, or when your work isn't tied to any single location. | It's widely applicable, but 'desde casa' is slightly more focused on the home itself. |
| Hago home office | Casual | Everyday conversations in many Latin American countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. | Speaking in Spain, or in very formal settings where a Spanish term would be more appropriate. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The main challenge for beginners is the 'tr' sound and the single flap 'r' in 'trabajo', but the rest of the words are very phonetic.
The grammar is simple and follows a basic Subject-Verb-Object structure, just like in English. The subject 'Yo' (I) is usually dropped, which is standard in Spanish.
The main difficulty is cultural, not linguistic. Knowing whether to use 'teletrabajo', 'home office', or 'trabajo en remoto' depends heavily on your location and the formality of the situation.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing which regional variation to use (e.g., 'home office' vs 'teletrabajo').
- Remembering to use 'desde' instead of the more direct translation 'de'.
💡Examples in Action
No voy a la oficina hoy, trabajo desde casa los viernes.
I'm not going to the office today, I work from home on Fridays.
En mi nuevo puesto, tengo la opción de hacer teletrabajo tres días a la semana.
In my new position, I have the option to telework three days a week.
¿Nos podemos conectar a las 3? Hoy hago home office y tengo más flexibilidad.
Can we connect at 3? I'm doing home office today and have more flexibility.
Soy desarrollador de software, así que trabajo en remoto para una empresa de Estados Unidos.
I'm a software developer, so I work remotely for a company from the United States.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Home Office' Phenomenon in Latin America
In many Latin American countries, especially in corporate environments, using the English term 'home office' is incredibly common. It's often used as a noun, as in 'Hoy tengo home office' (Today I have home office). Don't be afraid to use it in places like Mexico or Colombia; you'll sound very natural.
Spain's Preference for 'Teletrabajo'
In Spain, the term 'teletrabajo' is much more prevalent and is considered the standard, official term. While people will understand 'trabajo desde casa,' 'teletrabajo' is what you'll see in news articles, job descriptions, and formal conversations. Using 'home office' in Spain would sound a bit strange or overly foreign.
A Shift in Work Culture
The concept of working from home was less common in many Spanish-speaking cultures before 2020. The recent global shift has rapidly normalized it, leading to the co-existence of these different terms. The choice of phrase can sometimes signal how modern or traditional a company's culture is.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'en casa' instead of 'desde casa'
Mistake: "Trabajo en casa."
Correction: Trabajo desde casa.
Incorrect Preposition 'de'
Mistake: "Trabajo de mi casa."
Correction: Trabajo desde mi casa.
Using 'Trabajar en casa' for Remote Work
Mistake: "Mi compañía es totalmente 'trabajar en casa'."
Correction: Mi compañía es totalmente remota.
💡Pro Tips
Match the Formality
Use 'hago teletrabajo' for formal contexts or in Spain. 'Trabajo desde casa' or 'trabajo en remoto' are great neutral options. 'Hago home office' is perfect for more casual, modern workplaces in Latin America.
Asking Others
To ask someone else if they work from home, you can say '¿Trabajas desde casa?' (informal 'you') or '¿Usted trabaja desde casa?' (formal 'you'). You could also ask, '¿Haces home office?' in a casual Latin American context.
Specify the 'When'
To be more specific, add the days or frequency. For example: 'Trabajo desde casa los lunes y miércoles' (I work from home on Mondays and Wednesdays) or 'A veces trabajo en remoto' (Sometimes I work remotely).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain strongly prefers the official term 'teletrabajo'. 'Trabajo en remoto' is also very common, especially in modern industries. The English term 'home office' is rarely used and would sound out of place.
Mexico
The Anglicism 'home office' is king in Mexico's corporate and casual culture. It's used so frequently that it feels like a native Spanish phrase. 'Trabajo desde casa' is the perfect, slightly more formal alternative.
Argentina
Similar to Mexico, 'home office' is very widespread in business contexts, especially in Buenos Aires. 'Trabajo remoto' is also extremely common. Argentinians often shorten phrases, so you might just hear 'Hoy hago home.'
Colombia
'Trabajo en casa' is a common variation here. 'Teletrabajo' is the official government term, but 'home office' is also very popular in cities like Bogotá and Medellín, especially in multinational companies.
📱Texting & Social Media
Home Office
Used in corporate WhatsApp groups or Slack channels in Latin America.
Mañana no voy, haré HO.
I'm not going in tomorrow, I'll be doing home office.
Trabajo Desde Casa
Might be used internally within some companies for scheduling, but not widespread in general texting.
Mi estatus para hoy: TDC
My status for today: WFH
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you work from home, they might ask about your job.
¿Y en qué trabajas?
And what do you do for work?
Soy [your profession], trabajo en [your industry].
I'm a [your profession], I work in [your industry].
They might express envy or admiration.
¡Qué suerte! A mí me encantaría.
How lucky! I would love that.
Sí, es muy cómodo, la verdad.
Yes, it's very comfortable, honestly.
They might be curious about your experience.
¿Y te gusta trabajar así?
And do you like working like that?
Sí, me gusta mucho la flexibilidad.
Yes, I really like the flexibility.
🧠Memory Tricks
This links the sound of 'des-' in 'desde' to the English word 'desk,' a common feature of a home office, helping you remember to use 'desde' instead of 'en' or 'de'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the widespread, unashamed adoption of the English term 'home office' in much of Latin America. While English borrows many words, it's less common for a two-word English business term to become a standard verb phrase ('hacer home office') in another language. This highlights the strong influence of American business culture in the region.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this literally to 'Trabajo en la casa' strongly implies you are a domestic worker (e.g., a cleaner or nanny) or are doing manual labor on the house itself.
Use instead: Always use 'Trabajo desde casa' or a similar variation to specify that your professional job is located at your home.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say what is your job
It's the natural next question in a conversation about work.
How to talk about your profession
This allows you to answer the question about what you do for a living.
How to talk about your work schedule
Expands on the topic of work, allowing you to discuss hours and days.
How to say 'I'm busy' in Spanish
A common phrase related to work and daily life.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I work from home
Question 1 of 4
You're on a business trip in Madrid and a new colleague asks where you typically work. What is the most appropriate and professional response?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'trabajo desde casa' and 'hago teletrabajo'?
'Trabajo desde casa' is the general, everyday phrase that simply states your location. 'Hago teletrabajo' is a more formal, official term that describes the *mode* of working. Think of it like saying 'I work from home' vs. 'I am a telecommuter'. In Spain, 'teletrabajo' is very common in all contexts, while in Latin America it can sound a bit stiff.
Is it okay to say 'hago home office' in Spain?
It's best to avoid it. While younger people in tech might understand you, it's not a standard phrase in Spain and can sound like you're using an unnecessary English word. Stick with 'hago teletrabajo' or 'trabajo en remoto' to sound more natural.
How do I say 'I AM working from home' for something happening right now?
You use the present progressive tense: 'Estoy trabajando desde casa'. This emphasizes the action is in progress at this very moment. You can also say 'Estoy haciendo teletrabajo' or 'Estoy haciendo home office' depending on the region.
Is 'trabajo en remoto' the same as working from home?
Not exactly. 'Trabajo en remoto' means 'I work remotely,' which is a broader concept. It means you aren't tied to a central office. You could be working from home, a café, or even another country. 'Trabajo desde casa' specifically means your current workplace is your house.
Why do so many Latin American countries use the English phrase 'home office'?
This is a great example of linguistic borrowing, often driven by the influence of international business culture, particularly from the United States. As the concept became popular in corporate settings, the English term was adopted directly and is now a completely normal part of the business vocabulary in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina.
Can I use 'trabajar a distancia'?
Yes, 'trabajar a distancia' (to work at a distance) is another valid and understood phrase. It's very similar to 'trabajar en remoto' and is used in both Spain and Latin America, though perhaps slightly less frequently than 'remoto' in modern tech contexts.
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