Inklingo

How to Say "worker" in Spanish

English → Spanish

trabajador

trah-bah-hah-DOR/tɾaβaxaˈðoɾ/

nounA1General
Use this as the general, masculine, or gender-neutral term for any person who works, especially in a job or manual labor.
A smiling construction worker wearing a yellow hard hat and blue overalls, holding a hammer and a piece of wood.

Examples

Necesitamos un trabajador para el turno de la noche.

We need a worker for the night shift.

La empresa tiene cien trabajadores en total.

The company has one hundred employees in total.

Forming the Feminine

To talk about a female worker, change the ending to 'a': 'la trabajadora'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'trabajador' when you mean the action of working ('trabajar').”

Correction: Use 'trabajador' only for the person; use 'trabajar' for the action. Example: 'Me gusta trabajar' (I like to work).

empleada

/em-ple-AH-dah//empeˈlaða/

nounA1General
Use this specifically for a female employee who is part of a company's staff, often in an office or service role.
A professional woman in business attire sitting at a desk with a laptop and a small desk plant.

Examples

La nueva empleada del banco es muy amable.

The bank's new employee is very kind.

Hay más de cien empleadas en esta fábrica.

There are more than one hundred female employees in this factory.

Gender focus

This word is specifically for a woman. If you are talking about a man, use 'empleado'.

trabajadora

/tra-ba-ha-DOR-ah//tɾaβaxaˈðoɾa/

nounA2General
Use this for a female person who works, particularly emphasizing her role as a laborer or employee, often with a focus on her efforts or rights.
A woman wearing a yellow hard hat and a safety vest, holding a blueprint.

Examples

La trabajadora pidió un aumento de sueldo.

The worker asked for a salary increase.

Ella es una trabajadora social muy respetada.

She is a very respected social worker.

The Female Worker

This noun is the specific version for a female worker. In Spanish, many jobs and roles change their ending to show the person's gender.

Gender and Specificity

Learners often confuse 'trabajador/trabajadora' with 'empleado/empleada'. Remember that 'empleado/empleada' specifically refers to someone on a company's payroll, while 'trabajador/trabajadora' is a broader term for anyone who works. Always consider the gender of the person you are referring to.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.