Signification
Informal term for 'trabajar', meaning to work or do a job.
Contexte culturel
The term is a badge of the 'working class' identity. Even people in high-paying jobs use it to sound more 'down to earth'. Be extremely careful. 'Currar' is 'to swindle'. Use 'laburar' instead for 'to work'. While understood, it sounds very 'Peninsular'. Mexicans prefer 'chambear'. The word is a testament to the deep influence of the Romani people on Spanish culture, alongside words like 'cañí' or 'molar'.
The 'Se' Power
Always use 'currárselo' when you want to compliment someone. '¡Te lo has currado!' sounds much more native than 'Has trabajado mucho'.
Register Check
Never use this with your 80-year-old Spanish grandmother unless she's very 'modern'. Stick to 'trabajar' with elders.
Signification
Informal term for 'trabajar', meaning to work or do a job.
The 'Se' Power
Always use 'currárselo' when you want to compliment someone. '¡Te lo has currado!' sounds much more native than 'Has trabajado mucho'.
Register Check
Never use this with your 80-year-old Spanish grandmother unless she's very 'modern'. Stick to 'trabajar' with elders.
The Argentine Trap
If you have Argentine friends, use 'laburar'. They will appreciate you knowing the regional difference.
Office Talk
In Spain, it's common to say 'Me voy al curro' even if you work in a fancy office. It shows you're part of the team.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'currar'.
Mañana no puedo ir al cine porque ______ hasta las ocho.
The subject is 'yo' (implied by 'puedo'), so the verb must be 'curro'.
Which sentence uses 'currárselo' correctly to mean 'to work hard'?
Choose the best option:
The reflexive form 'currárselo' is used to express putting effort into something.
Match the phrase to the correct region.
Where would saying 'Tengo un curro' mean 'I have a scam'?
In Argentina, 'un curro' often refers to a scam or illicit activity.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural slang term.
A: ¿Qué tal el nuevo trabajo? B: Bien, pero hay que ______ mucho.
'Currar' is the most natural slang term for working in this context in Spain.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Work Verbs by Region
The Currar Family
Nouns
- • El curro (The job)
- • El currante (The worker)
Verbs
- • Currar (To work)
- • Currárselo (To work hard)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMañana no puedo ir al cine porque ______ hasta las ocho.
The subject is 'yo' (implied by 'puedo'), so the verb must be 'curro'.
Choose the best option:
The reflexive form 'currárselo' is used to express putting effort into something.
Where would saying 'Tengo un curro' mean 'I have a scam'?
In Argentina, 'un curro' often refers to a scam or illicit activity.
A: ¿Qué tal el nuevo trabajo? B: Bien, pero hay que ______ mucho.
'Currar' is the most natural slang term for working in this context in Spain.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it's not rude, just informal. It's like saying 'to gig' or 'to grind' in English.
Absolutely not. Use 'Experiencia laboral' or 'Trabajos realizados'.
It's a person who works hard. It's usually a compliment.
Yes, in some contexts in Spain, but it's much less common than the 'work' meaning today.
Rarely. They use 'chambear'.
It's regular: curré, curraste, curró, curramos, currasteis, curraron.
'Trabajo' is neutral/formal; 'curro' is informal/slang.
Only if your boss is young and you have a very casual relationship.
It means to put a lot of effort, thought, or time into a specific task.
It's equally common in both and throughout all of Spain.
No, it's 'el currante' and 'la currante'.
It's a regional semantic shift that happened over the last century.
Expressions liées
pringar
similarTo work more than you should or do the bad jobs.
dar el callo
similarTo work very hard.
el tajo
synonymThe workplace.
laburar
similarTo work (Southern Cone slang).
currárselo
builds onTo put effort into something.
