Signification
To be without a job.
Contexte culturel
The 'oficina del paro' (SEPE) is a common meeting point. People often talk about 'ir al paro' as a routine administrative task. The 'paro juvenil' (youth unemployment) is a major social issue, leading to many 'mileuristas' (people earning 1000 euros) or people staying in the 'paro' for long periods. In Mexico, 'paro' usually means a strike or a favor. If you say 'estoy en el paro,' they might think you are on strike. Argentines use 'paro' almost exclusively for labor strikes (e.g., 'paro de transporte'). For unemployment, they say 'desocupado'.
Use 'Estar'
Always use 'estar'. Using 'ser' makes it sound like being unemployed is your permanent personality.
Regionality
Only use this in Spain. In Latin America, use 'desempleado' to be safe.
Signification
To be without a job.
Use 'Estar'
Always use 'estar'. Using 'ser' makes it sound like being unemployed is your permanent personality.
Regionality
Only use this in Spain. In Latin America, use 'desempleado' to be safe.
Social Talk
Don't be afraid to use it. In Spain, talking about 'el paro' is as common as talking about the weather.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'estar' and the idiom.
Mi hermana perdió su trabajo y ahora ________ ________ ________ ________.
We use 'está' (3rd person singular) and the full idiom 'en el paro'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural way to say 'I am unemployed' in Spain.
'Estoy en el paro' is the most natural and grammatically correct version for Spain.
Match the Spanish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core variations of the 'paro' vocabulary.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué no vienes al cine? B: Es que me he quedado ________ ________ ________ y no tengo dinero.
The phrase 'quedarse en el paro' is a common way to say 'to become unemployed'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMi hermana perdió su trabajo y ahora ________ ________ ________ ________.
We use 'está' (3rd person singular) and the full idiom 'en el paro'.
Choose the most natural way to say 'I am unemployed' in Spain.
'Estoy en el paro' is the most natural and grammatically correct version for Spain.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core variations of the 'paro' vocabulary.
A: ¿Por qué no vienes al cine? B: Es que me he quedado ________ ________ ________ y no tengo dinero.
The phrase 'quedarse en el paro' is a common way to say 'to become unemployed'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it is a neutral and factual way to describe unemployment in Spain. It is not considered an insult.
No, a student is 'estudiante.' You only use 'en el paro' for someone who is in the labor market but lacks a job.
'Desempleo' is the formal noun (unemployment), while 'paro' is the common, everyday word.
You can say 'Me han echado y ahora estoy en el paro.'
Expressions liées
Estar en huelga
similarTo be on strike
Estar mano sobre mano
similarTo be idle / have nothing to do
Estar sin blanca
builds onTo be broke
Buscarse la vida
contrastTo find a way to make a living / hustle
