How to Say "labor" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “labor” is “labor” — use 'labor' when referring to work in a broader, often professional or community-oriented sense, such as 'social labor' or 'manual labor'.
labor
lah-BOHRlaˈβoɾ
Examples
Su labor en la comunidad es admirable.
Their work in the community is admirable.
Es una labor difícil pero muy necesaria.
It is a difficult but very necessary task.
Reconocieron la labor de los científicos durante la crisis.
They recognized the work of the scientists during the crisis.
Unexpected Gender
Even though this word ends in '-r' (which is usually for masculine words), 'labor' is feminine. You must say 'la labor' or 'una labor'.
Labor vs. Trabajo
Use 'trabajo' for your job or workplace. Use 'labor' for the specific effort, the impact of your work, or a humanitarian mission.
Gender confusion
Mistake: “Me gusta el labor que haces.”
Correction: Me gusta la labor que haces. 'Labor' is always feminine in Spanish.
laboral
la-bo-RALla.βoˈɾal
Examples
Mi jornada laboral termina a las seis de la tarde.
My work day ends at six in the evening.
Es difícil mantener un equilibrio entre la vida familiar y la vida laboral.
It is difficult to maintain a balance between family life and work life.
El gobierno anunció una nueva reforma laboral.
The government announced a new labor reform.
One Form for All
This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine thing (un día laboral) or a feminine thing (una vida laboral).
Making it Plural
Because the word ends in a consonant (L), you add '-es' to make it plural: 'los días laborales'.
Using 'Trabajo' as a Descriptor
Mistake: “Mi trabajo vida es buena.”
Correction: Mi vida laboral es buena.
faena
fah-EH-nahfaˈena
Examples
Terminé todas mis faenas domésticas antes del mediodía.
I finished all my household chores before noon.
Es una faena pesada pero hay que hacerla.
It's a heavy task, but it has to be done.
Los agricultores comienzan su faena muy temprano.
The farmers begin their work very early.
Faena vs. Tarea
While both mean 'task,' 'faena' often implies physical effort or manual labor, whereas 'tarea' is more general and used for schoolwork or digital tasks.
Plurality
Mistake: “Mucho faena”
Correction: Mucha faena (it is a feminine noun, so the word for 'much' must end in 'a').
sudor
soo-DORsuˈðoɾ
Examples
Con mucho sudor y dedicación, lograron terminar el proyecto a tiempo.
With much toil and dedication, they managed to finish the project on time.
La construcción de ese edificio costó mucho sudor a los obreros.
The construction of that building cost the workers a lot of hard work.
Figurative Use
This meaning uses 'sudor' as a metaphor for intense effort, reflecting the physical exertion that causes sweating. It’s often used in conjunction with verbs like 'costar' (to cost) or 'conseguir' (to achieve).
afán
Examples
Olvidó sus penas en el afán del trabajo diario.
He forgot his sorrows in the toil of daily work.
obrero
oh-BREH-rohoˈβɾeɾo
Examples
Crecí en un barrio obrero a las afueras de la ciudad.
I grew up in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of the city.
El movimiento obrero luchó por la jornada de ocho horas.
The labor movement fought for the eight-hour workday.
Pertenece a una familia de tradición obrera.
They belong to a family with a working-class tradition.
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. 'La clase obrera' (feminine) or 'El sindicato obrero' (masculine).
Word Order
Mistake: “Saying 'obrero barrio'.”
Correction: Say 'barrio obrero'. In Spanish, descriptive adjectives like this almost always come after the noun.
Distinguishing 'labor' from 'laboral'
Related Translations
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