Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary
Trabajar: to work
trabajar
Pronunciation: trah-bah-HAHR (stress the capital letters)
Trabajar means “to work” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to work
- How to say it: trah-bah-HAHR
- Present: yo trabajo, tú trabajas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “trabajar” means and how to use it
Trabajar means “to work,” whether at a job or on a task.
How to conjugate “trabajar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | trabajo | I |
| tú | trabajas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | trabaja | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | trabajamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | trabajan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo trabajé, él trabajó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | trabajado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Trabajo en una oficina.I work in an office.
- Mi esposa trabaja de noche.My wife works at night.
- Hoy no trabajamos.We do not work today.
Usage tip
The noun is el trabajo (work, job). Use “trabajar en” for the place and “trabajar de” for the role: trabajo de cocinero (I work as a cook).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to work” in Spanish?
“to work” in Spanish is “trabajar.” It is pronounced trah-bah-HAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “trabajar”?
Say trah-bah-HAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “trabajar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “trabajé” and “él” is “trabajó.” The past participle is “trabajado.”
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