Inklingo

How to Say "unemployment" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desempleo

/deh-sem-PLEH-oh//desemˈpleo/

nounB1general
Use 'desempleo' to refer to the general economic or social condition of a lack of jobs in a region or country.
A sad person sitting on a park bench during the day while others in the background walk to work.

Examples

El índice de desempleo juvenil sigue siendo preocupante.

The youth unemployment rate remains worrying.

El desempleo ha bajado mucho este año.

Unemployment has gone down a lot this year.

Muchos jóvenes sufren por el desempleo juvenil.

Many young people suffer from youth unemployment.

Perdí mi trabajo y ahora estoy cobrando el desempleo.

I lost my job and now I am collecting unemployment benefits.

Always Masculine

This word is always masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un' with it, even when talking about women who are out of work.

Abstract vs. Concrete

Use 'el desempleo' to talk about the general economic problem, but you can also use it to refer to the actual government money you receive.

Person vs. Concept

Mistake: “Él es un desempleo.”

Correction: Él está en el desempleo (or 'Él está desempleado'). Use 'desempleo' for the situation and 'desempleado' for the person.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Tengo desempleo.”

Correction: Estoy en el paro or Estoy sin trabajo. Usually, you don't 'have' unemployment like a cold; you are 'in' it or 'receiving' it.

paro

/PAH-roh//ˈpa.ɾo/

nounB1general
Use 'paro' when referring to the specific state of an individual or group being out of work, often implying a situation of receiving benefits.
A lonely figure in professional clothing sitting on a simple wooden bench, looking sad and holding an empty briefcase, symbolizing unemployment.

Examples

Solicitó el paro después de que su empresa cerrara.

He applied for unemployment benefits after his company closed.

El paro juvenil es un gran problema social en el país.

Youth unemployment is a major social problem in the country.

Después de tres meses en el paro, encontró un nuevo trabajo.

After three months of being unemployed (on the dole), he found a new job.

Los sindicatos han convocado un paro general.

The unions have called for a general strike.

Using 'Estar en el paro'

To say someone is unemployed, use the phrase 'estar en el paro' (literally: to be in the unemployment). This is extremely common in Spain.

Confusing 'Paro' and 'Huelga'

Mistake: “Using 'paro' only for a large, formal labor strike.”

Correction: 'Huelga' is the more specific term for a formal strike. 'Paro' can mean a general stoppage or simply unemployment.

Desempleo vs. Paro

Learners often confuse 'desempleo' and 'paro'. Remember that 'desempleo' is broader, referring to the economic state, while 'paro' is more specific to an individual's situation of being jobless, especially when claiming benefits.

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