Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Work in Spanish: Trabajo, Trabajar, Funcionar, and Obra
Trabajo · noun (masculine) / verb · trah-BAH-hoh
Work in Spanish has several translations. The noun is trabajo (trah-BAH-hoh) for a job or task. The verb is trabajar (to work). When something 'works' as in functions, use funcionar. A work of art or construction is una obra.
Trabajo is trah-BAH-hoh, three syllables, stress on BAH.
Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana.
I have a lot of work this week.
Work in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for work, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| trabajo | work | trah-BAH-hoh | Default, widely understood |
| trabajar | work | to work (verb) | |
| obra | work | a work of art, construction work | |
| funcionar | work | to work (function, operate) | |
| chamba | work | Mexico (slang for job) |
How Native Speakers Use Trabajo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Having a job
Mi hermano trabaja en un hospital.
My brother works at a hospital.
Trabajar is the verb for performing labor or holding a job.
Lots of work
Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana, no puedo salir.
I have a lot of work this week, I can't go out.
Trabajo as a noun means work, tasks, or one's job.
Something functioning
El WiFi no funciona desde ayer.
The WiFi hasn't worked since yesterday.
Funcionar means to work in the sense of operating correctly.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Trabajo
Using trabajar for machines
Incorrect: Mi teléfono no trabaja.
Correct: Mi teléfono no funciona.
Trabajar is for people doing work. Funcionar is for devices and systems operating.
Confusing trabajo and obra
Incorrect: Vimos un trabajo de Picasso en el museo.
Correct: Vimos una obra de Picasso en el museo.
A work of art is una obra, not un trabajo. Trabajo is labor or a job, not an artistic creation.
Lock in Work 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 Tengo mucho trabajo esta semana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Work in Spanish
- How do you say work in Spanish?
- The noun is trabajo (a job or task), the verb is trabajar (to perform work), and funcionar is 'to work' as in function. Obra is a work of art.
- What is chamba?
- Chamba is Mexican slang for job or work. Tengo chamba means I have work / I have a job. It's informal but widely used in Mexico.
- How do I say 'it works' in Spanish?
- Funciona. If something is working correctly, say Sí funciona. If it's not working, No funciona.