How to Say "working" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “working” is “trabajando” — use 'trabajando' when describing a person or people who are actively engaged in a job or task..
trabajando
/tra-ba-HAN-do//tɾa.βaˈxan.do/
Examples
Estoy trabajando en mi oficina.
I am working in my office.
Ella pasó toda la tarde trabajando en el proyecto.
She spent the whole afternoon working on the project.
Aprendió mucho trabajando con expertos.
He learned a lot by working with experts.
The Spanish '-ing' Form
'Trabajando' is the Spanish equivalent of adding '-ing' to 'work' in English. It shows that an action is in progress. You'll most often use it with the verb 'estar' to say what is happening right now, like 'Estoy trabajando' (I am working).
Explaining 'How' with '-ando'
Besides talking about actions in progress, you can use 'trabajando' to explain how something is done. For example, 'Gana dinero trabajando' means 'He earns money by working.'
Not a Noun
Mistake: “Me gusta trabajando.”
Correction: Me gusta trabajar. In English, you can say 'I like working,' where 'working' acts like a noun. In Spanish, you can't do this. To talk about an activity in general, always use the full verb form (the infinitive), like 'trabajar'.
Missing 'Estar'
Mistake: “Yo trabajando ahora.”
Correction: Yo estoy trabajando ahora. To say 'I am working,' you need the helper verb 'estar' ('estoy'). Leaving it out is like saying 'I working now' in English—it's incomplete.
funcionando
/foon-syoh-NAHN-doh//funθjoˈnando/
Examples
El ascensor no está funcionando. Usa las escaleras.
The elevator is not working. Use the stairs.
Mi teléfono ha estado funcionando muy lento desde la actualización.
My phone has been functioning very slowly since the update.
La nueva estrategia está funcionando mejor de lo que esperábamos.
The new strategy is working better than we expected.
The Progressive Action
The '-ando' ending is the Spanish way of saying that an action is currently happening or in progress, similar to the '-ing' in English. This form is called the gerund.
Using 'Estar'
To say something 'is working' right now, you must combine 'funcionando' with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be), such as 'está funcionando' or 'estaban funcionando'.
Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “El sistema es funcionando.”
Correction: El sistema está funcionando. Remember, 'estar' is used for temporary states or ongoing actions, while 'ser' is for permanent qualities.
funcionamiento
/foon-syon-ah-MYEN-toh//funsjo.naˈmjento/
Examples
El funcionamiento de la aplicación es muy intuitivo.
The operation of the app is very intuitive.
Debemos revisar el buen funcionamiento del motor.
We must check that the engine is working properly.
Pusieron el nuevo plan en funcionamiento ayer.
They put the new plan into operation yesterday.
Making Nouns from Verbs
This word is the 'thing' version of the verb 'funcionar' (to work/function). By adding the ending '-miento,' we turn the action into a name for the process itself.
Working vs. Functioning
Mistake: “Using 'trabajamiento' to talk about a machine.”
Correction: Use 'funcionamiento.' In Spanish, 'trabajo' is for people's jobs, while 'funcionamiento' is for how things or systems operate.
Trabajando vs. Funcionando
Related Translations
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