Spanish Conversation · Level 36
75 words
Spanish word
desempleado
Pronunciation
IPA/desempleˈaðo/
Meaning
- adjectiveout of work
Example
Ella está desempleada.
She is out of work.
More examples
Tras el cierre de la fábrica, varios quedaron desempleados.
After the factory closed, several became unemployed.
Core concept
Temporary lack of paid employment.
Common phrases
quedarse desempleado
become unemployed
estar desempleado
be unemployed
Similar words
desocupado: Not holding a job, currently without work.
parado: Unemployed and not working over a period of time.
inactivo: Not engaged in work or job-related activities.
Definition in Spanish
Expresa la condición temporal de no tener trabajo remunerado.
Word origin
Des- is a negative prefix added to empleado, the past participle of emplear, so the word literally means 'not employed'.
Usage tips
- In self-introductions, softer phrasing such as 'actualmente estoy sin empleo' or 'busco trabajo' is common and feels less blunt than saying 'estoy desempleado'.