Inklingo

How to Say "occupation" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “occupation” is “ocupación” — use this formal term when referring to a person's job or profession on official documents or in polite conversation.

ocupaciónA1

Use this formal term when referring to a person's job or profession on official documents or in polite conversation.

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profesiónA1

This is a general and common term for someone's job or career path, emphasizing the skills and training involved.

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empleo🔊A1

Use this term when referring to a specific job or employment, often with a focus on the work itself and getting paid.

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oficio🔊B1

This word refers to a skilled trade or a specific type of work, often implying practical expertise or a craft.

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quehacer🔊B1

This term refers to daily tasks or duties, particularly those that are routine or domestic, rather than a formal career.

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invasiónB1

This word is used specifically for the military act of entering and taking control of a territory by force.

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English → Spanish

ocupación

nounA1formal
Use this formal term when referring to a person's job or profession on official documents or in polite conversation.

Examples

Por favor, escriba su ocupación en esta línea.

Please write your occupation on this line.

profesión

nounA1
This is a general and common term for someone's job or career path, emphasizing the skills and training involved.

Examples

Mi hermana eligió la abogacía como profesión.

My sister chose law as a profession.

empleo

em-PLEH-ohemˈpleo

nounA1formal
Use this term when referring to a specific job or employment, often with a focus on the work itself and getting paid.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a cheerful person wearing professional attire sitting at a clean desk with a laptop and a potted plant, representing a job or position of work.

Examples

Busco un empleo a tiempo parcial para pagar mis estudios.

I am looking for a part-time job to pay for my studies.

Mi hermano consiguió un nuevo empleo en una empresa de tecnología.

My brother got a new job at a technology company.

El nivel de empleo en la región ha mejorado significativamente este año.

The employment level in the region has improved significantly this year.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'o', it is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'un buen empleo'.

Confusing Empleo and Trabajo

Mistake: “Using 'trabajo' when referring to the state of being employed (e.g., 'el nivel de trabajo').”

Correction: Use 'empleo' for the general state or availability of jobs: 'el nivel de empleo' (employment level). Use 'trabajo' for the effort or the place where you work.

oficio

oh-FEE-syohoˈfiθjo

nounB1
This word refers to a skilled trade or a specific type of work, often implying practical expertise or a craft.
A smiling chef in a white hat and uniform is stirring a large pot on a stove in a bright kitchen.

Examples

El oficio de médico requiere muchos años de estudio.

The profession of doctor requires many years of study.

Su oficio es servir a la comunidad.

His duty (or calling) is to serve the community.

Formal Use

This meaning is often used in official forms or formal settings where you might be asked to state your 'occupation'.

quehacer

keh-ah-sehrkeaˈser

nounB1informal
This term refers to daily tasks or duties, particularly those that are routine or domestic, rather than a formal career.
A child happily sweeping the floor with a small broom in a clean kitchen.

Examples

Tengo muchos quehaceres domésticos hoy.

I have many household chores today.

El quehacer diario puede ser agotador.

The daily grind (daily tasks) can be exhausting.

Cada uno debe atender su propio quehacer.

Everyone should attend to their own business/tasks.

A Compound Word

This word is literally made by combining 'que' (what) and 'hacer' (to do). It describes the 'what-to-do' list of your day.

Commonly Plural

While you can use the singular form, you will most often hear it in the plural: 'los quehaceres.' This is similar to how we often say 'chores' in English.

Don't confuse with the verb

Mistake: “Tengo que quehacer.”

Correction: Tengo que hacer (I have to do) or Tengo quehaceres (I have chores).

invasión

nounB1formal
This word is used specifically for the military act of entering and taking control of a territory by force.

Examples

El presidente condenó la invasión del territorio vecino.

The president condemned the invasion of the neighboring territory.

ocupación

nounB2
Use this term when referring to the state of being occupied, such as a hotel's occupancy rate or a military control of an area.

Examples

El hotel tiene una ocupación del 90%.

The hotel has a 90% occupancy rate.

Job vs. Military Takeover

The most common confusion is using 'ocupación' for a person's job when 'profesión' or 'empleo' are more appropriate. Remember that 'ocupación' can also mean a military takeover or occupancy rate, so context is key.

Related Translations

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