Inklingo

How to Say "laborer" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “laborer” is “trabajador” — use 'trabajador' when referring to a male laborer or when speaking generally about a laborer without specifying gender..

English → Spanish

trabajador

trah-bah-hah-DOR/tɾaβaxaˈðoɾ/

nounA1general
Use 'trabajador' when referring to a male laborer or when speaking generally about a laborer without specifying gender.
A smiling construction worker wearing a yellow hard hat and blue overalls, holding a hammer and a piece of wood.

Examples

Necesitamos un trabajador para el turno de la noche.

We need a worker for the night shift.

La empresa tiene cien trabajadores en total.

The company has one hundred employees in total.

Forming the Feminine

To talk about a female worker, change the ending to 'a': 'la trabajadora'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'trabajador' when you mean the action of working ('trabajar').”

Correction: Use 'trabajador' only for the person; use 'trabajar' for the action. Example: 'Me gusta trabajar' (I like to work).

trabajadora

/tra-ba-ha-DOR-ah//tɾaβaxaˈðoɾa/

nounA2general
Use 'trabajadora' specifically when referring to a female laborer.
A woman wearing a yellow hard hat and a safety vest, holding a blueprint.

Examples

La trabajadora pidió un aumento de sueldo.

The worker asked for a salary increase.

Ella es una trabajadora social muy respetada.

She is a very respected social worker.

The Female Worker

This noun is the specific version for a female worker. In Spanish, many jobs and roles change their ending to show the person's gender.

Gender Agreement Confusion

The most common mistake is not using the correct gendered form. Remember that Spanish nouns have gender, and 'trabajador' is masculine while 'trabajadora' is feminine. Always match the noun to the gender of the laborer.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.