Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Job in Spanish: Trabajo, Empleo & Chamba
Trabajo · noun (masculine) · trah-BAH-hoh
Trabajo is the default Spanish word for job. It covers employment (tener un trabajo) and work in general. Empleo is more formal. Chamba is colloquial in Mexico and Peru.
trah-BAH-hoh (trabajo) · ehm-PLEH-oh (empleo) · CHAHM-bah (chamba)
Conseguí un nuevo trabajo en una empresa de tecnología.
I got a new job at a tech company.
Job in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for job, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| trabajo | job | trah-BAH-hoh | Default, widely understood |
| empleo | job | formal — employment, position | |
| puesto | job | position or post within a company | |
| chamba | job | Mexico, Peru — colloquial |
How Native Speakers Use Trabajo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
General usage
Mi trabajo empieza a las nueve de la mañana.
My job starts at nine in the morning.
Trabajo is used for both the job itself and the workplace.
Job searching
Estoy buscando empleo en el sector financiero.
I am looking for a job in the financial sector.
Buscar empleo is the formal way to say job searching.
Mexican slang
Ya encontré chamba, empiezo el lunes.
I already found a job, I start Monday.
Chamba is very common in Mexico and Peru for casual job references.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Trabajo
Redundancy: yo trabajo un trabajo
Incorrect: Yo trabajo un trabajo.
Correct: Yo tengo un trabajo. / Yo trabajo en una oficina.
Trabajo is both noun (job) and verb (I work). Avoid the redundancy.
Using jobo or jab
Incorrect: Necesito un jobo nuevo.
Correct: Necesito un trabajo nuevo.
No Spanish cognate of job exists. Use trabajo or empleo.
Lock in Job Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Trabajo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using trabajo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Conseguí un nuevo trabajo en una empresa de tecnología. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Job in Spanish
- How do you say job in Spanish?
- Job = trabajo (general), empleo (formal), chamba (Mexico/Peru slang). Trabajo is always safe.
- Difference between trabajo and empleo?
- Trabajo is broader (job, work, labor). Empleo specifically means employment/position.
- How do you say job interview?
- Entrevista de trabajo or entrevista laboral.