Inklingo

How to Say "task" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “task” is “tarea” — use 'tarea' for a specific job or chore, often something assigned, like homework or a household duty.

tarea🔊A2

Use 'tarea' for a specific job or chore, often something assigned, like homework or a household duty.

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asignaciónA2

Use 'asignación' when referring to a specific piece of work formally assigned to someone, like a school assignment or a work project.

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comisiónA2

Use 'comisión' for a task you've been asked to do, often implying running an errand or handling a specific request.

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faena🔊B1

Use 'faena' for general work or a specific job, often implying a bit of effort or a routine task, especially household chores.

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quehacer🔊B1

Use 'quehacer' to refer to daily activities or chores, particularly those that are part of a routine.

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encargo🔊B1

Use 'encargo' for a specific job or task that has been entrusted to you by someone else, like a boss or client.

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labor🔊B1

Use 'labor' to describe an undertaking or assignment that often implies diligent work or a significant contribution.

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cometido🔊B1

Use 'cometido' for a duty or responsibility, often a formal mission or the primary function of a person or organization.

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ocupaciónB1

Use 'ocupación' to refer to a specific piece of work or a busy period where you have many things to do.

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English → Spanish

tarea

tah-REH-ahtaˈɾea

nounA2general
Use 'tarea' for a specific job or chore, often something assigned, like homework or a household duty.
A cheerful person using a broom and dustpan to sweep dust off a floor, clearly completing a domestic chore.

Examples

Mi tarea de hoy es llamar al banco y pagar las cuentas.

My task today is to call the bank and pay the bills.

Las tareas domésticas son responsabilidad de todos en la casa.

Household chores are everyone's responsibility in the house.

asignación

nounA2general
Use 'asignación' when referring to a specific piece of work formally assigned to someone, like a school assignment or a work project.

Examples

Tengo una nueva asignación en mi clase de español.

I have a new assignment in my Spanish class.

comisión

nounA2general
Use 'comisión' for a task you've been asked to do, often implying running an errand or handling a specific request.

Examples

Tengo que hacer una comisión al centro antes de comer.

I have to run an errand downtown before lunch.

faena

fah-EH-nahfaˈena

nounB1general
Use 'faena' for general work or a specific job, often implying a bit of effort or a routine task, especially household chores.
A person in overalls holding a large wooden broom and sweeping a clean floor.

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').

quehacer

keh-ah-sehrkeaˈser

nounB1general
Use 'quehacer' to refer to daily activities or chores, particularly those that are part of a routine.
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).

encargo

en-CAR-goenˈkaɾ.ɣo

nounB1general
Use 'encargo' for a specific job or task that has been entrusted to you by someone else, like a boss or client.
A cheerful rabbit hands a rolled-up blueprint tied with a red ribbon to a smiling fox, symbolizing the transfer of an assignment or duty.

Examples

Mi jefe me dio el encargo de organizar la reunión.

My boss gave me the assignment of organizing the meeting.

¿Puedes hacer un encargo por mí? Necesito ir al banco.

Can you run an errand for me? I need to go to the bank.

El pintor terminó el encargo de la familia real.

The painter finished the commission for the royal family.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'encargo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Always use the masculine article 'el' or 'un' with it.

Confusing 'encargo' and 'cargo'

Mistake: “Using 'cargo' (position/job title) when you mean 'encargo' (specific task).”

Correction: If you are talking about a specific duty or task, use 'encargo'. If you are talking about a permanent job title (like 'manager'), use 'cargo'.

labor

lah-BOHRlaˈβoɾ

nounB1general
Use 'labor' to describe an undertaking or assignment that often implies diligent work or a significant contribution.
A person in a bright vest painting a park bench with a brush.

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.

cometido

ko-me-TEE-doko.meˈti.ðo

nounB1formal
Use 'cometido' for a duty or responsibility, often a formal mission or the primary function of a person or organization.
A determined small explorer holding a map and pointing towards a high, distant mountain peak, symbolizing a mission or objective.

Examples

El principal cometido de la empresa es innovar.

The company's main mission is to innovate.

Nuestro cometido en esta reunión es tomar una decisión final.

Our task in this meeting is to make a final decision.

Fallaron en su cometido y perdieron el partido.

They failed in their objective and lost the game.

Gender Check

Remember this noun is masculine: el cometido. It never changes form.

ocupación

nounB1general
Use 'ocupación' to refer to a specific piece of work or a busy period where you have many things to do.

Examples

Tengo muchas ocupaciones esta semana.

I have many things to do this week.

Tarea vs. Asignación

Learners often confuse 'tarea' and 'asignación'. While both mean 'task' or 'assignment', 'tarea' is more common for everyday chores or homework, whereas 'asignación' implies a more formal, structured assignment, often in an academic or professional context.

Related Translations

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