How to Say "to work" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to work” is “trabajar” — use this for people having a job or performing a task, and also for machines, devices, or systems performing their intended function.
trabajar
tra-ba-HARtɾa.βaˈxaɾ
Examples
Mi padre trabaja como médico.
My father works as a doctor.
Mi hermana trabaja en un hospital.
My sister works in a hospital.
Necesito trabajar mañana por la mañana.
I need to work tomorrow morning.
¿En qué te gustaría trabajar en el futuro?
What would you like to work as in the future?
Talking About Where You Work
To say where you work or what field you're in, use trabajar en. For example, 'Trabajo en un banco' (I work in a bank) or 'Trabajo en marketing' (I work in marketing).
Talking About Who You Work For
To say who your employer is, use trabajar para. For instance, 'Trabajo para una gran empresa' (I work for a big company).
Verb vs. Noun
Mistake: “Me gusta mi trabajar.”
Correction: Me gusta mi trabajo. (I like my job). Remember, 'trabajar' is the action (to work), and 'trabajo' is the thing (the job).
funcionar
foon-syoh-NARfunθjoˈnaɾ
Examples
¿Funciona el control remoto?
Does the remote control work?
¿Funciona el aire acondicionado?
Does the air conditioning work?
Mi teléfono dejó de funcionar ayer.
My phone stopped working yesterday.
La nueva aplicación funciona muy rápido.
The new app operates very quickly.
Always Regular
Unlike some verbs, 'funcionar' is easy! It follows the standard pattern for '-ar' verbs in every tense, so you never need to worry about tricky stem changes.
Using 'trabajar' for things
Mistake: “El ordenador no trabaja.”
Correction: El ordenador no funciona. (Only people 'trabajan' (work); things 'funcionan' (operate).)
operar
oh-peh-RAHRopeˈɾaɾ
Examples
El nuevo software opera eficientemente.
The new software operates efficiently.
El nuevo sistema operativo opera mucho más rápido.
The new operating system functions much faster.
Esta empresa opera en varios países de Latinoamérica.
This company operates in several Latin American countries.
Context is Key
When referring to a machine or system, 'operar' means 'to work/function.' When referring to a person, it means 'to perform surgery.' The subject tells you the meaning.
jalar
hah-LAHRxaˈlaɾ
Examples
El coche no jala bien hoy.
The car isn't working well today.
Mi computadora ya no jala.
My computer doesn't work anymore.
¿Jala bien el internet aquí?
Does the internet work well here?
Using 'Jalar' for Technology
In a casual setting, use 'jalar' instead of 'funcionar' to sound more like a local when talking about phones, cars, or apps.
resultar
reh-sool-TAHRresu'ltar
Examples
Esperamos que esta estrategia resulte.
We hope this strategy works.
Ese truco siempre resulta.
That trick always works.
La nueva estrategia no resultó como esperábamos.
The new strategy didn't work as we expected.
obrar
oh-BRARoˈβɾaɾ
Examples
La paciencia obra milagros.
Patience works miracles.
La medicina tardará una hora en obrar.
The medicine will take an hour to work.
Sus palabras obraron un cambio en mi actitud.
Her words worked a change in my attitude.
Abstract Results
In this sense, 'obrar' is often used with abstract nouns like 'change' (cambio) or 'miracle' (milagro) to show that an action produced a significant result.
Person vs. Machine Usage
Related Translations
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