In Spanish, trabajo and empleo are two central nouns for the world of work, but they capture different shades of meaning. Trabajo (work, job, labor) is broad, covering anything from the effort you expend to the tasks you do—whether paid or unpaid. Empleo (employment, job, position) is narrower and more formal, referring specifically to being employed in a paid position within an organization. Understanding when to use each word is key to expressing yourself naturally in professional and everyday contexts.
- trabajo: Used for work, labor, tasks, effort; can be both a noun and a concept.
- empleo: Refers to formal employment, a job position, or a career; always connected to paid work.
trabajo
'trabajo' means work, job, labor, and also can imply the effort or tasks involved.
trabajo is a versatile noun that spans the idea of work, labor, and anything that requires effort. It can refer to a job (the place or role), the work done (tasks, projects), or even the concept of working hard. Because of its breadth, you’ll see trabajo used in many different contexts—from professional to academic to casual.
- trabajo = work, job, labor, (sometimes) effort
- Can mean the place you work, the tasks you do, or the concept of working
- Used for both paid and unpaid work in some contexts
Examples
- Tengo mucho trabajo hoy.
→ I have a lot of work today.
(Refers to tasks/labor, not necessarily the job itself.)
- Busco trabajo.
→ I’m looking for work/a job.
(trabajo here covers the idea of finding employment/work in general.)
- El trabajo que hizo fue excelente.
→ The work he did was excellent.
(trabajo as the output or effort, not the position/employment.)
- Después de años de trabajo, logró su objetivo.
→ After years of hard work, he achieved his goal.
(trabajo as effort/labor.)
'trabajo' is used for daily tasks, effort, and even when searching for work, but not for formal employment contracts.
'trabajo' covers work, job, labor, and effort—especially in informal or broad senses.
'trabajo' can mean work, job, effort, or labor—depending on context.
empleo
'empleo' refers to employment, a job position, or a formal role within an organization.
empleo is a more formal and specific word for employment. It refers to having a paid position within a company or organization—the status of being employed. Empleo is not usually used for informal work or the concept of effort; it’s tied to the idea of official, contracted work.
- empleo = employment, job (as a position), occupation
- Used mainly for formal, paid work situations
- Common in legal, professional, and economic contexts
Examples
- Consiguió un empleo en una empresa multinacional.
→ He got a job (employment) at a multinational company.
(empleo = the job position/contract.)
- El mercado de empleo está cambiando rápidamente.
→ The employment market is changing rapidly.
(empleo = employment, labor market context.)
- Ofrecen empleo a tiempo completo y parcial.
→ They offer full-time and part-time employment.
(empleo = formal jobs/positions.)
- Para acceder a un buen empleo, necesitas experiencia.
→ To get a good job, you need experience.
(empleo emphasizes the job as a career/position.)
'empleo' is best for formal job positions, contracts, or the employment market.
'empleo' corresponds to employment, job as a position, and occupation—not general work.
'empleo' is used for formal job contexts, contracts, and labor market discussions.
trabajo vs empleo: Summary
| Aspect | trabajo | empleo |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Work, labor, effort, job (broad) | Employment, job, position (formal) |
| Usage | Any work done, effort, tasks | Formal paid work, positions |
| Context | Daily tasks, projects, effort | Contracts, job market, roles |
| Paid/Unpaid | Paid or unpaid | Paid |
| Example | Tengo mucho trabajo. (I have a lot of work.) | Consiguió un empleo. (He got a job.) |
Conclusion
trabajo and empleo reflect two sides of work in Spanish: trabajo is the broad, everyday concept of work and effort, while empleo is the formal idea of having a job or employment.
- Use trabajo for general work, tasks, effort, and even when looking for "work."
- Use empleo for formal job roles, contracts, and discussions about employment.