Spanish word

laburar

Pronunciation

IPA/laβuˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbwork

Example

Yo laburo en una tienda los fines de semana.

I work in a store on weekends.

Illustration for laburar (work)

More examples

Tengo que ir a laburar a las siete.

I have to go to work at seven.

Core concept

Informal act of working.

Common phrases

  • ir a laburar

    go to work

  • ponerse a laburar

    start working

  • laburar de noche

    work at night

Similar words

trabajar: Work to earn pay or perform paid labor.
desempeñar: Carry out a specific duty or task as part of a role.
ejercer: Perform specialized professional duties.
dedicarse: Devote time and effort to a particular job or profession.

Definition in Spanish

Ejercer una ocupación o desempeñar tareas laborales en registro informal; equivalente coloquial de trabajar.

Word origin

It derives from Italian lavorare, entering Río de la Plata Spanish through immigrant speech and Lunfardo and becoming the regular -ar verb laburar.

Usage tips

  • Colloquial in Argentina and Uruguay, it follows regular -ar conjugation, the final -r often weakens so the infinitive sounds like labura, and laburo also serves as the noun.

Opposites

Related words

  • laburojobnoun
  • laburanteworkernoun

Word lists with this word