Inklingo

How to Say "to work" in Spanish

English → Spanish

trabajar

/tra-ba-HAR//tɾa.βaˈxaɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'trabajar' when referring to a person having a job, performing a task, or when a machine or system is functioning correctly.
A young woman actively typing on a laptop at a desk in a bright office setting, illustrating the concept of having a job.

Examples

Mi hermano trabaja como ingeniero.

My brother works as an engineer.

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).

resultar

/reh-sool-TAHR//resu'ltar/

VerbB2General
Choose 'resultar' when a plan, method, or strategy is successful and achieves the desired outcome.
A lightbulb glowing brightly above a small gear mechanism.

Examples

La nueva estrategia de marketing resultó ser muy efectiva.

The new marketing strategy worked out to be very effective.

Ese truco siempre resulta.

That trick always works.

La nueva estrategia no resultó como esperábamos.

The new strategy didn't work as we expected.

operar

/oh-peh-RAHR//opeˈɾaɾ/

VerbA2Technical/Formal
Use 'operar' for the technical functioning of a system, machine, or business process, often implying a more complex or mechanical operation.
A brightly colored cartoon industrial machine with visible turning gears and a conveyor belt successfully moving a small object, showing it is functioning.

Examples

El sistema de seguridad opera las 24 horas del día.

The security system operates 24 hours a day.

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.

Trabajar vs. Operar for Machines

Learners often confuse 'trabajar' and 'operar' when talking about machines. While 'trabajar' can be used for simpler devices, 'operar' is more appropriate for complex systems or processes, especially in technical contexts.

Related Translations

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