Spanish job terminology explaining the difference between "trabajo" and "empleo," covering meanings, usage, and examples.
In Spanish, both trabajo and empleo relate to the concept of “job,” but they have distinct meanings and uses. Understanding the difference will help you speak more naturally and clearly about work situations.
Meanings
Trabajo is a general term for “work,” “job,” or “task.” It can refer to any kind of work, paid or unpaid, temporary or permanent.
Empleo specifically means “employment” or a “job position.” It refers to a paid, usually formal job or role within an organization.
Summary:
- Trabajo = work/job/task (general)
- Empleo = employment/job position (formal, paid)
Usage
Trabajo can be used as a noun, a verb (trabajar = to work), and can describe almost any kind of work or effort.
Empleo is always a noun and is used when talking about job positions, contracts, or formal employment.
Examples:
- Tengo mucho trabajo. (I have a lot of work.)
- Estoy buscando empleo. (I’m looking for a job.)
Contexts
Use trabajo when speaking about work in a broad sense, including chores, projects, or freelance tasks.
Use empleo when referring to job hunting, contracts, or official positions.
Summary:
Build a table summarizing the contexts:
| Context | Use | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| General work or tasks | trabajo | Tengo trabajo hoy. | I have work today. |
| Job position or role | empleo | Conseguí un empleo nuevo. | I got a new job. |
| Job searching | empleo | Busco empleo de oficina. | I’m looking for an office job. |
Collocations
Common phrases with trabajo:
- hacer trabajo (do work)
- terminar trabajo (finish work)
- buscar trabajo (look for work/job)
- trabajo temporal/permanente (temporary/permanent work)
Common phrases with empleo:
- buscar empleo (look for a job)
- empleo fijo (permanent job)
- empleo temporal (temporary job)
- contrato de empleo (employment contract)
Use buscar empleo when referring to job hunting more formally, while buscar trabajo is more general.
Summary:
Build a table summarizing common collocations:
| Word | Common Phrases | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| trabajo | hacer trabajo | Tengo que hacer trabajo. | I have to do work. |
| trabajo | buscar trabajo | Estoy buscando trabajo. | I’m looking for work/job. |
| empleo | buscar empleo | Estoy buscando empleo. | I’m looking for a job. |
| empleo | empleo fijo | Tengo empleo fijo. | I have a permanent job. |
Examples
- Mi trabajo es interesante. (My job/work is interesting.)
- El empleo comienza a las nueve. (The job starts at nine.)
- Después del trabajo, voy al gimnasio. (After work, I go to the gym.)
- Conseguir empleo no es fácil. (Getting a job isn’t easy.)
Summary
- trabajo = general term for “work” or “job”
- empleo = specific term for “employment” or “job position”
- Use trabajo for tasks and general work situations
- Use empleo for formal job roles and when talking about job hunting more officially
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- Context: General work or tasks
- Use: trabajo
- Example: Tengo trabajo hoy.
- English Example: I have work today.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
