Inklingo

How to Say "laborers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

trabajadores

trah-bah-hah-DOH-rehs/tɾaβaxaˈðoɾes/

nounA1general
Use `trabajadores` for a general term referring to people who perform manual work, such as in a factory setting.
A diverse group of three individuals depicted in different professional roles: a construction worker with a hard hat, a chef wearing an apron, and an office worker sitting at a desk, all working diligently together.

Examples

Los trabajadores de la fábrica están en huelga.

The factory workers are on strike.

Necesitamos más trabajadores para este proyecto.

We need more employees for this project.

Masculine Plural Noun

This form refers to multiple male workers, or a mixed group of male and female workers. If the group were all female, you would use 'trabajadoras'.

Mixing up singular and plural

Mistake:Muchos trabajador están aquí. (Incorrect agreement)

Correction: Muchos trabajadores están aquí. (Remember to add the -es to the noun and use the plural verb form.)

obreros

/oh-BREH-rohs//oˈβɾeɾos/

nounA2specific
Use `obreros` specifically for laborers involved in construction or factory work, often implying skilled manual labor.
A group of people wearing hard hats and safety vests standing together on a construction site.

Examples

Los obreros terminaron la construcción del edificio en seis meses.

The workers finished the construction of the building in six months.

La fábrica contrató a cien nuevos obreros para el turno de noche.

The factory hired a hundred new laborers for the night shift.

The 'Mixed Group' Rule

Even though this word looks masculine, you use 'obreros' to talk about a group of workers that includes both men and women.

Choosing the right 'Worker'

Mistake:Using 'obreros' for an office worker.

Correction: Use 'empleados' for office staff. 'Obreros' is specifically for people doing physical, manual work.

General vs. Specific Context

Learners often confuse `trabajadores` and `obreros` by using `obreros` too broadly. Remember that `trabajadores` is the more general term for anyone who works, while `obreros` is best reserved for those in construction or factory jobs.

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