Inklingo

How to Say "work" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “work” is “trabajo” — use this for the general concept of work, employment, or a task you need to complete.

trabajo🔊A1

Use this for the general concept of work, employment, or a task you need to complete.

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labor🔊B1

Use this to refer to a specific, often significant, task or the effort put into social or community initiatives.

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obra🔊A2

Use this for a significant artistic or literary creation, like a book, painting, or a composer's piece.

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creaciónB1

Use this for something newly made, especially an artistic or intellectual product.

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pieza🔊B2

Use this specifically for a musical composition or a particular artistic work performed or presented.

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marchar🔊B2

Use this verb to describe how a machine, system, or even a business is functioning or performing.

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responder🔊B1

Use this verb, often in the negative ('no responde'), to indicate that something (like a patient or a device) is not functioning or reacting as expected.

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laboral🔊A2

Use this adjective to describe anything related to a job, employment, or the workplace.

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English → Spanish

trabajo

tra-BA-hotɾaˈβaxo

nounA1general
Use this for the general concept of work, employment, or a task you need to complete.
A person sitting at a desk in a bright office, focused on their work on a laptop, representing the concept of a job or work.

Examples

Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana.

I have a lot of work this week.

Mi hermano encontró un nuevo trabajo.

My brother found a new job.

El trabajo de historia es para el viernes.

The history paper is due on Friday.

It's a Masculine Noun

'Trabajo' is a 'masculine' word, which just means you'll always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) with it. For example, 'el trabajo' or 'un trabajo difícil'.

Confusing 'trabajo' and 'viaje'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners mix up 'trabajo' (work) and 'viaje' (travel) because they sound a little similar.”

Correction: Remember: 'trabajo' has a 'b' like 'business', and 'viaje' has a 'v' like 'voyage'.

labor

lah-BOHRlaˈβoɾ

nounB1general
Use this to refer to a specific, often significant, task or the effort put into social or community initiatives.
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.

obra

OH-brahˈoβɾa

nounA2general
Use this for a significant artistic or literary creation, like a book, painting, or a composer's piece.
A finished painting resting on a wooden easel in a brightly lit studio, representing an artistic creation.

Examples

Esta novela es su mejor obra hasta la fecha.

This novel is his best work to date.

La galería expuso las obras de varios artistas jóvenes.

The gallery exhibited the works of several young artists.

Always Feminine

Even though 'obra' starts with a stressed 'o,' it is always a feminine noun and takes the feminine article 'la' (la obra).

creación

nounB1general
Use this for something newly made, especially an artistic or intellectual product.

Examples

Esa escultura es una creación maravillosa.

That sculpture is a marvelous creation.

pieza

pee-EH-sahˈpjeθa

nounB2general
Use this specifically for a musical composition or a particular artistic work performed or presented.
A small, finished, abstract ceramic sculpture resting on a wooden pedestal, representing an artistic work.

Examples

La orquesta tocó una pieza clásica de Beethoven.

The orchestra played a classical work by Beethoven.

Esa pieza de teatro ganó varios premios internacionales.

That theatrical play won several international awards.

marchar

mar-CHARmaɾˈtʃaɾ

verbB2general
Use this verb to describe how a machine, system, or even a business is functioning or performing.
A close-up view of two large, brightly colored interlocking mechanical gears smoothly rotating.

Examples

El negocio marcha muy bien este trimestre.

The business is going very well this quarter.

Pregunté cómo marchaba la construcción de la casa.

I asked how the construction of the house was progressing.

El motor ya no marcha, creo que está roto.

The engine no longer works, I think it's broken.

Impersonal Use

This meaning is often used in the third person (él/ella/usted) to talk about non-human things or situations, like asking '¿Cómo marcha todo?' (How is everything going?).

responder

rres-pon-derres.ponˈdeɾ

verbB1general
Use this verb, often in the negative ('no responde'), to indicate that something (like a patient or a device) is not functioning or reacting as expected.
A vibrant storybook illustration of a large green sunflower bending its head to face a bright, yellow sun, demonstrating a reaction to a stimulus.

Examples

El paciente no responde al tratamiento.

The patient is not responding to the treatment.

La empresa debe responder por los daños causados.

The company must be responsible for the damages caused.

Mi coche viejo ya no responde bien en las subidas.

My old car doesn't perform well on hills anymore.

Responder POR (Responsibility)

When 'responder' means 'to be responsible for something,' it must be followed by the preposition 'por': 'Tú respondes por el equipo' (You are responsible for the team).

Using it for Emotional Reaction

Mistake: “Using 'Respondí con tristeza' (I responded with sadness).”

Correction: For emotional reaction, use 'Reaccioné' or 'Contesté'. 'Responder' usually implies a physical or functional reaction, or a formal answer.

laboral

la-bo-RALla.βoˈɾal

adjectiveA2general
Use this adjective to describe anything related to a job, employment, or the workplace.
A desk with a laptop, a notebook, and a small potted plant, representing a work environment.

Examples

Mi jornada laboral termina a las seis de la tarde.

My work day ends at six in the evening.

Es difícil mantener un equilibrio entre la vida familiar y la vida laboral.

It is difficult to maintain a balance between family life and work life.

El gobierno anunció una nueva reforma laboral.

The government announced a new labor reform.

One Form for All

This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine thing (un día laboral) or a feminine thing (una vida laboral).

Making it Plural

Because the word ends in a consonant (L), you add '-es' to make it plural: 'los días laborales'.

Using 'Trabajo' as a Descriptor

Mistake: “Mi trabajo vida es buena.”

Correction: Mi vida laboral es buena.

General Work vs. Specific Creations

Learners often use 'trabajo' for everything. Remember that 'obra' and 'creación' are specifically for artistic or literary outputs, while 'labor' refers to a task or effort, and 'marchar'/'responder' describe functioning.

Related Translations

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