Office Vocabulary in Spanish
Comprehensive collection of Spanish vocabulary and phrases typically used in an office environment.
tener un sueldo
having a salary
The Spanish phrase 'tener un sueldo' translates to 'having a salary' in English. This typically refers to the fixed regular payment that an individual receives, usually on a monthly or biweekly basis, from their employer in exchange for their work. In different contexts, it can refer to different forms of remuneration. For example, it is frequently used in discussions on job compensation, income levels, work contracts, and labour disputes.
tener una deuda
having a debt
The Spanish phrase 'tener una deuda' translates in English to 'having a debt'. This expression is used to explain the situation or state of owing money to people, banks, or other types of lenders. It can be applied to various contexts like finance, business, and personal life. Therefore, when someone says they 'tienen una deuda', they are expressing they have a financial obligation or liability to pay back a certain amount of money they borrowed.
Example sentences with tener una deuda →tener una entrevista (de trabajo)
have an interview (working)
The Spanish phrase 'tener una entrevista (de trabajo)' translates to 'to have an interview (work)' in English. It is used in contexts where one talks about their professional engagements, typically related to job interviews or discussions at the workplace. This phrase can be used both in situations where the interview has already been scheduled ('I will have an interview next week'), and in cases where the individual is expressing their desire or necessity to obtain a job interview ('I need to have an interview to get this job').
tener una relación de trabajo
have a working relationship
The phrase 'tener una relación de trabajo' in Spanish translates to 'have a working relationship' in English. This phrase is often used in professional settings to describe the formal or informal interaction between colleagues. It can refer to the ways in which individuals or groups cooperate and communicate in a work environment. This may involve many aspects such as professional, emotional and social interactions.
tener una reunión
have a meeting
The phrase 'tener una reunión' in Spanish translates to 'have a meeting' in English. It is usually used in professional and academic contexts when people gather to discuss something much like in English. Consider it in the context of wanting to 'have a meeting' with colleagues or class fellows to work collectively, brainstorm ideas, or make decisions. The verb 'tener' means 'to have', while 'una reunión' translates to 'a meeting'.
tener vacaciones
holiday
The Spanish phrase 'tener vacaciones' translates to 'have holidays' in English. This phrase is commonly used to imply that someone is taking a break from work or school, similar to a holiday or vacation. This is not an exact one-word to one-word translation, but rather a phrase that communicates a familiar concept within English language context. The verb 'tener' translates to 'have', and 'vacaciones' translates to 'holidays' or 'vacation'. Thus, 'tener vacaciones' could be directly interpreted as 'have a vacation'.
tinta de impresora
printer ink
The Spanish phrase 'tinta de impresora' translates to 'printer ink' in English. Printer ink refers to the ink that is used in printers for printing texts and images on paper. This ink can be found in various formats, such as ink cartridges, ink bottles, or ink tanks, depending on the type of printer. The ink is generally colored, typically black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and is essential for printing operations.
tinta para impresora
ink for printer
The Spanish phrase 'tinta para impresora' translates directly to 'ink for printer' in English. This can refer to ink cartridges that are used in printers to produce printed documents. Different types of printers use different types and colors of ink cartridges depending on the printing needs and the make or model of the printer. It's a common term used in office, school and home settings where a printer is in frequent use.
titulación requerida
degree required
The Spanish phrase 'titulación requerida' translates to 'degree required' in English. This term is commonly used in job descriptions and ads, to indicate that a certain level of education, usually a university degree, is a necessary qualification for a candidate to apply or be considered for a role or position. It may also appear in academic contexts where a specific degree is required for advancement or participation. In general, 'titulación requerida' is a phrase concerning prerequisite qualifications in educational or professional settings.
trabajador
worker
The Spanish word 'trabajador' is used to denote someone who does work, such as a job or a particular task. Just like in English, it can refer to any type of laborer, from someone who does physical labor to someone who works in an office environment. The word is used in both formal and informal contexts.
Example sentences with trabajador →trabajar
to work
'Trabajar' corresponds to the act of laboring, toiling, or exerting oneself in order to accomplish something.
Example sentences with trabajar →trabajar a (dis)gusto
work at (dis)gusto
The phrase 'trabajar a (dis)gusto' in Spanish may refer to the sentiment of performing a job or task with either pleasure or unease depending on the context. 'Trabajar' translates to 'work', while '(dis)gusto' can mean 'pleasure' or 'unhappiness'. Therefore, when used in positive context, 'trabajar a gusto' would mean working with pleasure or satisfaction. Conversely, 'trabajar a disgusto' implies working with distaste or discomfort.
trabajar a tiempo completo
work full-time
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar a tiempo completo' translates to 'work full-time' in English. This phrase is often used in a professional context to describe an individual's employment status. If someone is 'trabajando a tiempo completo', it means they have a full-time job, typically working about 40 hours per week. This can be used in several tenses and contexts, depending on the conversation, similarly to how we use 'full-time work' in English. Understanding this phrase can help when discussing jobs, careers, and work schedules in Spanish.
trabajar a tiempo parcial
part-time work
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar a tiempo parcial' translates to 'part-time work' in English. This is typically used to describe a type of work schedule that is less than the traditional full-time employment schedule. This is common in many types of jobs, including retail and food service, where an employee may work anything less than 40 hours per week, as it is typically considered the standard for full-time work. Understanding this phrase is helpful in job hunting as well as discussing your work schedule in a Spanish-speaking environment.
trabajar como autónomo
to work as autonomous
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar como autónomo' translates to 'work as autonomous' in English. This typically refers to someone who is self-employed and operates their business as an individual, without a traditional employer-employee relationship. Such a person enjoys significant freedom in choosing when, where, and how to work, but also assumes all the risks of running their business.
trabajar como un burro
work as a donkey
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar como un burro' directly translates to 'work like a donkey' in English. It's an idiom used to describe someone who is working very hard, often with the implication that the work is exhausting and perhaps even excessive or underappreciated, much like a donkey or mule traditionally used for heavy labor. This phrase is not meant to be taken literally - it is a metaphorical expression.
trabajar contra reloj
work against watch
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar contra reloj' does not exactly translate to 'work against watch' in English. A more accurate translation would be 'to work against the clock'. This phrase is used to express that someone is doing their work in a rush or under a significant time pressure, much like racing against time to complete a particular task or activity.
trabajar de sol a sol
work from dawn to dusk
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar de sol a sol' is a colloquial expression that directly translates to 'work from sun to sun'. However, in English the more commonly used term that carries the same meaning is 'work from dawn to dusk'. This phrase indicates that someone is working all day long, typically referring to hard, manual labor. This phrase might be used to highlight the strenuous nature of someone's work, to suggest that they are hardworking and diligent, or to describe a long and tiring day of work. It is the linguistic equivalent of saying someone is working the entire day, from the minute the sun rises, until the moment it sets.
trabajar en buenas condiciones
working in good condition
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar en buenas condiciones' translates to 'working in good conditions' in English. The phrase emphasizes the importance of suitable, safe, and comfortable conditions for work. This could refer to an array of factors such as the physical environment, the emotional atmosphere, the wage rate or the presence of supportive and necessary resources. All in all, anyone who is 'trabajando en buenas condiciones' is in an environment conducive to productivity and welfare.
trabajar en malas condiciones
working in bad conditions
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar en malas condiciones' translates to 'working in bad conditions' in English. This is typically used to describe a work environment that is unfavorable or detrimental to the worker. It includes factors like poor working conditions, such as inadequate safety measures, poor sanitation, long working hours, or abusive supervisory practices. The phrase is generally used in discussions about labor rights and welfare.
trabajar en óptimas condiciones
work in optimal conditions
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar en óptimas condiciones' translates to 'work in optimal conditions' in English. This phrase is often used when discussing ideal work settings or maintaining an efficient work environment in a professional context. It emphasizes the necessity of proper conditions to carry out tasks effectively and efficiently.
trabajar honradamente
to work honestly
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar honradamente' translates to 'to work honestly' in English. This means to perform a job or a task with integrity, honesty, fairness and in a transparent manner, without resorting to cheat, steal or lie.
trabajar media jornada
work half day
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar media jornada' translates to 'work half day' in English. It refers to the concept of working only half of the usual working hours in a day, which could take various forms depending on the specific work settings or labor laws in a given country. For example, it could mean working only in the morning or afternoon, or dividing the working hours throughout the day. Note that this phrase might not have exact equivalents in all English-speaking contexts, as work schedules can vary widely around the world.
trabajar por amor al arte
work for love of art
'Trabajar por amor al arte' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'work for love of art' in English. This phrase is commonly used in a metaphorical sense to refer to the act of performing work or tasks not for monetary compensation, but for the sheer passion, joy, fulfilment, or love one obtains from the work itself. It mirrors the concept of artists who create art not with the goal of making money or gaining fame, but out of their love and dedication for their art.
trabajar por cuenta ajena
work on behalf of others
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar por cuenta ajena' translates to 'work on behalf of others' in English. This term is often used in labor discussions to talk about individuals who are employed by someone else and perform services under contract for that person or entity. This can include a wide range of job settings, from office work to manual labor. It is a phrase that encapsulates the concept of being employed or hired by another party, as opposed to working for oneself or owning one's own business.
trabajar por cuenta propia
self-employment
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar por cuenta propia' is a profession-related term which translates to 'self-employment' in English. It refers to a working style where an individual operates their own business or works for themselves instead of being employed by a company or another entity. In this mode of work, the individual is fully responsible for their business decisions, income generation, and the risks involved. This term is often used in legal, financial, and professional contexts in Spanish-speaking societies.
trabajar por horas
work for hours
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar por horas' translates to 'work for hours' in English. This phrase is often used to describe jobs or tasks that are done for a specific, usually lengthy, duration of time. It emphasizes the amount of time dedicated to the task, suggesting that it is either particularly involved, demanding, or time-consuming. The literal translation does not always precisely match the context in which the phrase is used, as cultural, social, and language nuances might lead to different interpretations.
trabajar por libre
work for free
The Spanish term 'trabajar por libre' does not exactly translate to 'work for free' in English. It is often used to refer to freelance work or working independently. This phrase can be used to describe someone who is self-employed or who does not work under a contract for a company. They might be paid for the job they do, but they don't have a fixed salary from an employer. This is a common way of working in many fields, such as writing, graphic design, and consultancy. One of the key aspects of 'trabajar por libre' is the freedom it gives to choose which projects to work on, without being tied to a single employer.
trabajo bien remunerado
well-paid work
The Spanish phrase 'trabajo bien remunerado' is translated to English as 'well-paid work'. This is usually used to describe a job or role that offers considerable financial compensation, thus it's an expression referring to a position or employment where the individual receives a high salary or wage for their services.
trabajo creativo
creative work
The term 'trabajo creativo' in Spanish translates to 'creative work' in English. It is a compound noun that is commonly used in professional settings, especially those that involve designing, crafting, innovating, producing original content or anything that generally requires creative skills and thoughts. The word 'trabajo' indicates work or job, and 'creativo' pertains to being creative. Together, they are used to describe tasks that require creativity, imagination, and originality.