Inklingo

How to Say "worked" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “worked” is “trabajado” — use 'trabajado' as the past participle to form compound tenses, indicating completed action related to labor or effort, similar to 'have worked'..

trabajado🔊A2

Use 'trabajado' as the past participle to form compound tenses, indicating completed action related to labor or effort, similar to 'have worked'.

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trabajó🔊A1

Use 'trabajó' (preterite tense) to describe a completed action of employment or personal effort in the past, like 'he/she/it worked'.

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funcionó🔊A1

Use 'funcionó' (preterite tense) to state that a machine, system, or plan was operational or effective at a specific point in the past.

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funcionado🔊A2

Use 'funcionado' as the past participle to form compound tenses, indicating that something has been operational or effective over a period, like 'has worked'.

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resultó🔊B1

Use 'resultó' (preterite tense) when referring to the outcome or effectiveness of a plan, idea, or method in the past, meaning 'turned out' or 'was effective'.

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sirvió🔊B1

Use 'sirvió' (preterite tense) to indicate that something functioned properly or was useful for a specific purpose in the past.

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English → Spanish

trabajado

trah-bah-HAH-doh/tɾaβaˈxaðo/

verbA2general
Use 'trabajado' as the past participle to form compound tenses, indicating completed action related to labor or effort, similar to 'have worked'.
A farmer wearing overalls and a straw hat is sitting down next to a completed, freshly planted garden row, wiping sweat from their brow in satisfaction.

Examples

Hemos trabajado todo el día en este proyecto.

We have worked all day on this project.

¿Alguna vez has trabajado en un hospital?

Have you ever worked in a hospital?

Ella había trabajado como profesora antes de mudarse.

She had worked as a teacher before moving.

Forming Perfect Tenses

To talk about actions completed in the past using 'have worked,' pair 'trabajado' with the verb 'haber' (to have). Example: 'He trabajado' (I have worked).

Always Ends in -o

When used with 'haber' to form tenses, the past participle 'trabajado' never changes its ending. It always stays '-ado', regardless of who did the work.

Confusing 'Haber' and 'Tener'

Mistake: “Using 'Tengo trabajado' instead of 'He trabajado'.”

Correction: In Spanish, use 'haber' (he, has, ha, etc.) to create compound verb tenses like 'I have worked.' Reserve 'tener' for possession (I have a car).

verbA1general
Use 'trabajó' (preterite tense) to describe a completed action of employment or personal effort in the past, like 'he/she/it worked'.

Examples

Mi hermana trabajó hasta tarde anoche.

My sister worked until late last night.

funcionó

/foon-syoh-NOH//funθjoˈno/

verbA1general
Use 'funcionó' (preterite tense) to state that a machine, system, or plan was operational or effective at a specific point in the past.
A colorful illustration of a smiling, simple toaster successfully popping up a slice of golden-brown toast.

Examples

La televisión no funcionó después de la tormenta.

The television didn't work after the storm.

Mi plan funcionó; conseguimos el dinero.

My plan worked; we got the money.

¿Funcionó la alarma que compraste?

Did the alarm you bought work?

The 'Preterite' Tense

This form, 'funcionó,' tells you that the action started and finished completely in the past, like a single event. (He/She/It/You formal worked.)

Funcionar vs. Trabajar

Mistake: “Using 'trabajó' when talking about a machine or plan.”

Correction: 'Trabajar' is for people or jobs. 'Funcionar' is for things, systems, or ideas. Say: 'El reloj funcionó' (The watch worked), not 'trabajó'.

funcionado

/foon-syoh-NAH-doh//funθjoˈnaðo/

verbA2general
Use 'funcionado' as the past participle to form compound tenses, indicating that something has been operational or effective over a period, like 'has worked'.
A simple, brightly colored wooden crank machine successfully lifting a small, heavy gray cube. A bright yellow glow radiates from the mechanism, symbolizing successful operation.

Examples

La nueva aplicación ha funcionado perfectamente desde que la instalé.

The new app has worked perfectly since I installed it.

Si el plan hubiera funcionado, seríamos ricos.

If the plan had worked, we would be rich.

No sé por qué el motor no había funcionado antes.

I don't know why the engine hadn't worked before.

The Perfect Helper

"Funcionado" is the past participle of the verb "funcionar." It must always be paired with a form of the verb "haber" (to have) to create compound tenses like "ha funcionado" (it has worked).

Always Stays the Same

Unlike some other participles, when used with "haber," "funcionado" never changes its ending (it doesn't become funcionada or funcionados). It always ends in -o.

Funcionar vs. Trabajar

Mistake: “Using 'trabajar' for objects: 'El reloj ha trabajado.'”

Correction: Use 'funcionar' for things, machines, and systems: 'El reloj ha funcionado.' 'Trabajar' is only for people doing labor.

resultó

/rre-sul-TÓ//resulˈto/

verbB1general
Use 'resultó' (preterite tense) when referring to the outcome or effectiveness of a plan, idea, or method in the past, meaning 'turned out' or 'was effective'.
A small, wooden toy bridge that was previously broken is now perfectly functional, held together by a single white adhesive bandage applied to the break.

Examples

Probamos ese método, pero no resultó.

We tried that method, but it didn't work/wasn't effective.

La medicina que me dio el doctor resultó muy bien.

The medicine the doctor gave me worked very well.

Using 'Resultar' Impersonally

Often, 'resultó' is used impersonally, meaning 'it was effective' or 'it worked,' without needing a specific person doing the action, similar to how we use 'it' in English.

Confusing 'Resultar' and 'Tener éxito'

Mistake: “Using 'resultó' to mean a person succeeded (e.g., 'El resultó el examen').”

Correction: Resultar usually refers to a thing or method. Use 'Aprobó el examen' (He passed the exam) for personal success.

sirvió

/seer-VYOH//siɾˈβjo/

verbB1general
Use 'sirvió' (preterite tense) to indicate that something functioned properly or was useful for a specific purpose in the past.
A sturdy, bright red wooden ladder stands upright, successfully supporting a small, colorful birdhouse placed high up.

Examples

El mapa viejo no sirvió para encontrar el camino.

The old map wasn't useful for finding the way.

Ella intentó usar la llave, pero no sirvió.

She tried to use the key, but it didn't work.

Su consejo me sirvió mucho durante la crisis.

His advice helped me a lot during the crisis.

Used with 'Para'

When talking about purpose, 'sirvió' is often followed by 'para' (for) to explain what the thing was useful for: 'Sirvió para abrir la puerta' (It was useful for opening the door).

Confusing Usefulness and Function

Mistake: “El celular *fue útil* (instead of 'sirvió').”

Correction: While 'fue útil' is correct, using 'sirvió' is a much more natural and common way to say 'the phone worked/was useful' in Spanish.

Functioning vs. Labor

The most common mistake is confusing the verbs for 'functioning' (funcionar, servir, resultar) with those for 'labor' (trabajar). Remember that 'funcionar' applies to machines, systems, or plans, while 'trabajar' is exclusively for human effort or employment.

Related Translations

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