When using the verb "trabalhar" (to work) in Portuguese, you need to pay attention to its conjugations, which change based on the subject pronoun. For example, if you want to say "I work," you would say "Eu trabalho." If you're talking about someone else, like "he works," it becomes "Ele trabalha." Remember that the ending of the verb will adjust to match who is doing the action. Also, in Portuguese, it's very common to drop the subject pronoun when it's clear from the verb ending, so "trabalho" alone can mean "I work."
Trabalhar en 30 secondes
- Common verb for 'to work'.
- Used for jobs, tasks, and effort.
- Essential for daily conversations.
§ What does 'Trabalhar' mean and when do people use it?
- Definition
- To work
Alright, let's get straight to it. The Portuguese verb you need to know for 'to work' is trabalhar. It's super common, so you'll hear it and use it a lot. Think about how often you talk about work in English – it's the same in Portuguese.
You use trabalhar to talk about:
- Your job or profession.
- Doing tasks or putting in effort.
- Something functioning or operating.
It's pretty straightforward, just like 'to work' in English. No tricky hidden meanings here at an A1 level. If you have a job, you trabalhar. If you're doing something that requires effort, you trabalhar.
Eu trabalho em um escritório. (I work in an office.)
Here, 'Eu trabalho' means 'I work'. Notice how the ending changes. That's conjugation, and we'll touch on it quickly, but the main thing is to recognize the root 'trabalh-'.
Ele trabalha muito. (He works a lot.)
This sentence shows that 'he works' is 'Ele trabalha'. Again, the verb ending changes based on who is doing the action.
You can also use trabalhar to talk about things working or functioning. For example, if a machine isn't operating correctly, you might say it's not trabalhando well (not working well).
O computador não está trabalhando. (The computer is not working.)
This is important because it broadens your understanding beyond just human labor. However, for A1, focus primarily on people working.
When you're first learning, don't get too bogged down in all the possible nuances. Just remember trabalhar = to work. You'll pick up the rest naturally as you hear it more.
Nós trabalhamos juntos. (We work together.)
This shows the 'we' form. You'll see patterns emerge. The goal is to get comfortable recognizing and using the verb in simple sentences about jobs and daily activities.
So, whether you're talking about your own profession, someone else's, or even a machine's function, trabalhar is the verb you'll reach for. Keep it simple at this stage and just associate it directly with 'to work'. You'll build on this foundation.
§ Mistakes people make with this word
When you're learning Portuguese, even a simple verb like "trabalhar" (to work) can trip you up. Don't worry, it happens to everyone! Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.
§ 1. Using "estar a trabalhar" too often
In English, we often say "I am working" to describe an ongoing action. In Portuguese, while "estar a trabalhar" (or "estar trabalhando" in Brazil) is grammatically correct and means "to be working," it's not always the most natural choice. Often, simply using the present tense of "trabalhar" is sufficient and more common.
- WHAT YOU MIGHT SAY (too literal)
- Eu estou a trabalhar hoje.
This isn't wrong, but it can sound a bit clunky for a general statement.
- WHAT A NATIVE SPEAKER MIGHT SAY
- Eu trabalho hoje.
This translates to "I work today" but implies "I am working today" in context. The simple present often conveys the continuous action without needing "estar a."
§ 2. Confusing "trabalhar" with "funcionar"
Both words can relate to things operating or being effective, but they apply to different subjects.
- Trabalhar: Used for people working, or for machines/systems that are *designed* to work or function in a specific way.
- Funcionar: Used for things operating correctly, like a machine, a plan, or an idea. It means "to function" or "to work" in the sense of being operative.
- INCORRECT
- O meu carro não trabalha.
A car doesn't "work" in the sense of having a job. It functions or doesn't function.
- CORRECT
- O meu carro não funciona. (My car doesn't function/work.)
Eu trabalho todos os dias, mas o computador não funciona bem. (I work every day, but the computer doesn't work/function well.)
§ 3. Forgetting the preposition with locations
When you say you work *at* a place, you need a preposition in Portuguese. The most common is "em" (in/at), which contracts with articles (e.g., "na" for "em + a", "no" for "em + o").
- INCORRECT
- Eu trabalho empresa.
- CORRECT
- Eu trabalho na empresa. (I work at the company.)
Ele trabalha no escritório. (He works in/at the office.)
Nós trabalhamos em casa. (We work at home.)
If you're talking about working *for* someone or something (like a boss or a cause), you'd use "para."
Ela trabalha para o governo. (She works for the government.)
§ 4. Using "trabalhar" reflexively for "to work out" (exercise)
In English, "to work out" means to exercise. In Portuguese, you wouldn't use "trabalhar-se" (which doesn't really exist in this context) or simply "trabalhar" to mean exercise.
- INCORRECT
- Eu trabalho muito na academia.
While you might *work hard* at the gym, this doesn't specifically mean "exercise."
- CORRECT OPTIONS
- Eu faço exercício na academia. (I do exercise at the gym.)
- Eu treino na academia. (I train at the gym.)
- Eu vou à academia. (I go to the gym – often implies working out.)
§ 5. Overusing "trabalho" as a noun for "task"
"Trabalho" as a noun means "work" or "a job." While it can sometimes refer to a task, there are often more specific and natural words.
Tenho muito trabalho hoje. (I have a lot of work today.)
This is correct for general work.
However, if you're referring to a specific task or chore, you might use:
- Tarefa: for a task or assignment.
- Serviço: for a service or a specific job that needs to be done.
- Atividade: for an activity.
Preciso terminar esta tarefa. (I need to finish this task.)
Há um serviço para fazer no jardim. (There's a job/task to do in the garden.)
Le savais-tu ?
The word 'trabalhar' comes from the Latin 'tripaliare', which referred to a Roman instrument of torture called the 'tripalium'. So, the original meaning was quite literally 'to torture' or 'to inflict suffering through work'.
Grammaire à connaître
Like many verbs in Portuguese, 'trabalhar' conjugates based on the subject pronoun. For example, 'Eu trabalho' (I work), 'Você trabalha' (You work), 'Nós trabalhamos' (We work).
Eu trabalho na SubLearn. (I work at SubLearn.)
'Trabalhar' is a regular -AR verb. This means its conjugations follow a predictable pattern. For instance, in the present tense, you remove the -ar and add -o, -a, -amos, -am.
Eles trabalham muito. (They work a lot.)
You can use 'trabalhar' with prepositions to specify where or with whom you work. Common prepositions include 'em' (in/at) and 'com' (with).
Eu trabalho em um escritório. (I work in an office.)
When talking about professions, you don't usually use an article before the profession with 'trabalhar como'.
Ele trabalha como professor. (He works as a teacher.)
'Trabalhar' can also be used in various tenses, such as the past tense. For example, 'Eu trabalhei' (I worked).
Nós trabalhamos ontem. (We worked yesterday.)
Exemples par niveau
Eu trabalho todos os dias.
I work every day.
Você trabalha muito?
Do you work a lot?
Ele trabalha em um escritório.
He works in an office.
Nós trabalhamos juntos.
We work together.
Eles não trabalham hoje.
They don't work today.
Onde você trabalha?
Where do you work?
Eu gosto de trabalhar aqui.
I like to work here.
Ela trabalha como professora.
She works as a teacher.
Eu preciso trabalhar amanhã.
I need to work tomorrow.
Você trabalha muito?
Do you work a lot?
Nós vamos trabalhar juntos.
We are going to work together.
Eles não querem trabalhar hoje.
They don't want to work today.
Minha mãe trabalha em um hospital.
My mother works in a hospital.
Onde você trabalha?
Where do you work?
Ele trabalha como professor.
He works as a teacher.
Eu sempre trabalho aos sábados.
I always work on Saturdays.
Para além de trabalhar as competências técnicas, é crucial desenvolver a inteligência emocional para se destacar no mercado de trabalho.
Beyond working on technical skills, it's crucial to develop emotional intelligence to stand out in the job market.
Here 'trabalhar' is used reflexively, meaning to 'work on' or 'develop' oneself or one's skills.
O grupo de pesquisa tem vindo a trabalhar arduamente na busca de soluções inovadoras para os desafios climáticos globais.
The research group has been working hard in the search for innovative solutions to global climate challenges.
'Ter vindo a trabalhar' indicates an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present.
Mesmo com o sucesso inicial, é preciso trabalhar constantemente para manter a relevância e a competitividade no setor.
Even with initial success, it's necessary to work constantly to maintain relevance and competitiveness in the sector.
'É preciso trabalhar' is an impersonal construction meaning 'it is necessary to work'.
Os líderes da empresa precisam trabalhar juntos para forjar uma visão unificada e inspirar a equipe a alcançar metas ambiciosas.
The company leaders need to work together to forge a unified vision and inspire the team to achieve ambitious goals.
'Trabalhar juntos' emphasizes collaborative effort.
A diplomacia exige trabalhar nos bastidores, construindo consensos e desanuviando tensões para evitar conflitos maiores.
Diplomacy requires working behind the scenes, building consensus and easing tensions to avoid greater conflicts.
'Trabalhar nos bastidores' is an idiomatic expression meaning 'to work behind the scenes'.
É um desafio trabalhar a paciência quando os prazos são apertados e as expectativas são elevadas.
It's a challenge to work on patience when deadlines are tight and expectations are high.
Similar to the first example, 'trabalhar' here means to cultivate or develop a quality.
Para que o projeto seja um sucesso, todos os departamentos terão de trabalhar em sintonia, superando quaisquer divergências.
For the project to be a success, all departments will have to work in sync, overcoming any disagreements.
'Trabalhar em sintonia' means 'to work in harmony' or 'in sync'.
A resiliência permite-nos trabalhar sob pressão, adaptando-nos a circunstâncias adversas e emergindo mais fortes.
Resilience allows us to work under pressure, adapting to adverse circumstances and emerging stronger.
'Trabalhar sob pressão' is a common phrase meaning 'to work under pressure'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Structures de phrases
Eu trabalho. / I work.
Eu trabalho em Lisboa. (I work in Lisbon.)
Você trabalha. / You work.
Você trabalha muito? (Do you work a lot?)
Ele/Ela trabalha. / He/She works.
Ela trabalha em um escritório. (She works in an office.)
Nós trabalhamos. / We work.
Nós trabalhamos juntos. (We work together.)
Vocês trabalham. / You all work.
Vocês trabalham no fim de semana? (Do you all work on the weekend?)
Eles/Elas trabalham. / They work.
Eles trabalham na empresa. (They work at the company.)
Trabalhar é bom. / To work is good.
Trabalhar é importante para mim. (Working is important for me.)
Eu gosto de trabalhar. / I like to work.
Eu gosto de trabalhar em casa. (I like to work from home.)
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine yourself 'traveling' (trabalhar sounds a bit like travel) to your 'harbor' (har) to work every day. 'Travel-har' = trabalhar.
Association visuelle
Picture a bustling office or a construction site, with people actively engaged in tasks. As you visualize, say 'trabalhar' aloud, associating the sound with the image of people working. Imagine a hard hat and a briefcase, common symbols of work, and connect them with the sound of the word.
Word Web
Défi
Complete the sentences with the correct form of 'trabalhar': 1. Eu ______ todos os dias. (I work every day.) 2. Você ______ muito? (Do you work a lot?) 3. Nós ______ juntos. (We work together.) 4. Ele não ______ hoje. (He doesn't work today.) Answers: 1. trabalho 2. trabalha 3. trabalhamos 4. trabalha
Origine du mot
Latin
Sens originel : To toil, to labor, to suffer
Indo-European (Italic branch)Contexte culturel
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, work ('trabalho') is often seen as a fundamental aspect of life and identity. There's a strong emphasis on diligence and dedication. The word 'trabalho' can also refer to a job or profession. While the etymology suggests suffering, the modern usage of 'trabalhar' is generally neutral, simply meaning 'to perform tasks or duties'.
Teste-toi 36 questions
The speaker likes working on weekends.
She will work tomorrow.
They don't want to work today.
Read this aloud:
Eu trabalho em Lisboa.
Focus: trabalho
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você gosta de trabalhar?
Focus: gosta de
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Nós precisamos trabalhar mais.
Focus: precisamos
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the correct sentence: My parents work a lot.
The verb 'trabalhar' must be conjugated correctly for 'eles/elas' (they) which is 'trabalham'. 'Os' is the correct masculine plural definite article for 'pais'.
Which sentence means: I need to work tomorrow.
After 'precisar de' (to need to), the second verb is in the infinitive. 'Trabalhar' is the infinitive form.
Select the correct way to say: She works as a teacher.
The verb 'trabalhar' is conjugated to 'trabalha' for 'ela' (she). 'Como' is generally used to mean 'as' for professions.
'Eu trabalhamos muito' is the correct way to say 'We work a lot' in Portuguese.
The correct form for 'nós' (we) is 'trabalhamos'. 'Eu trabalhamos' is grammatically incorrect.
The sentence 'Tu trabalhas em casa?' means 'Do you work from home?'
'Trabalhas' is the correct conjugation for 'tu' (you singular informal). 'Em casa' means 'at home' or 'from home'.
It is correct to say 'Ele não gosta de trabalhar aos fins de semana' to mean 'He doesn't like to work on weekends'.
'Gostar de' (to like to) followed by the infinitive 'trabalhar' (to work) is correct. 'Aos fins de semana' means 'on weekends'.
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about what you do for work, or what you would like to do, using the verb 'trabalhar'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Eu trabalho como professor. Gosto de trabalhar com crianças. É um trabalho muito gratificante. No futuro, quero trabalhar em uma escola maior.
Describe a typical workday for someone you know (a friend, family member, or even a fictional character), including when they start and finish working. Use 'trabalhar'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Minha amiga trabalha no hospital. Ela começa a trabalhar às sete da manhã e termina às três da tarde. Ela trabalha muitas horas, mas gosta do que faz.
Imagine you are applying for a job. Write two sentences explaining why you want to work for that company, using the verb 'trabalhar'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Eu gostaria de trabalhar nesta empresa porque acredito nos seus valores. Seria uma ótima oportunidade para trabalhar com uma equipa inovadora.
Onde a Joana trabalha?
Read this passage:
A Joana trabalha num escritório no centro da cidade. Ela gosta do seu trabalho, mas às vezes sente-se cansada porque tem muitas tarefas. Todos os dias, ela almoça com os colegas. O seu sonho é trabalhar por conta própria um dia.
Onde a Joana trabalha?
O texto diz: 'A Joana trabalha num escritório no centro da cidade.'
O texto diz: 'A Joana trabalha num escritório no centro da cidade.'
O Pedro trabalha e estuda. Em que ele trabalha?
Read this passage:
O Pedro é estudante e trabalha a tempo parcial numa livraria. Ele adora livros e gosta muito de ajudar os clientes a encontrar o que procuram. É um trabalho que ele consegue conciliar bem com os estudos, mesmo que às vezes trabalhe aos fins de semana.
O Pedro trabalha e estuda. Em que ele trabalha?
O texto afirma: 'O Pedro é estudante e trabalha a tempo parcial numa livraria.'
O texto afirma: 'O Pedro é estudante e trabalha a tempo parcial numa livraria.'
Em que área a Maria trabalha?
Read this passage:
A Maria e o Carlos trabalham na mesma empresa, mas em departamentos diferentes. A Maria trabalha na área de marketing, enquanto o Carlos trabalha em vendas. Eles trabalham bem juntos em projetos que envolvem ambos os departamentos e gostam de colaborar.
Em que área a Maria trabalha?
O texto menciona: 'A Maria trabalha na área de marketing'.
O texto menciona: 'A Maria trabalha na área de marketing'.
The team needs to work together to achieve the goals.
He decided to work as a volunteer to help the community.
It is essential to work hard to succeed in professional life.
Read this aloud:
Como você planeja trabalhar neste novo projeto?
Focus: trabalhar
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você prefere trabalhar em equipe ou individualmente?
Focus: trabalhar
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Onde você gostaria de trabalhar daqui a cinco anos?
Focus: trabalhar
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Focus on the speaker's tone regarding 'trabalhar com a comunidade'.
Pay attention to the implied urgency and collaboration around 'trabalhem em conjunto'.
Note the emphasis on proactivity when 'trabalhar na prevenção'.
Read this aloud:
Explique como você planeja trabalhar para melhorar suas habilidades de comunicação.
Focus: trabalhar, melhorar, habilidades
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Descreva uma situação em que você teve que trabalhar sob pressão e como lidou com isso.
Focus: descreva, trabalhar, pressão, lidou
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Comente sobre a importância de trabalhar em equipe para alcançar objetivos complexos.
Focus: comente, importância, trabalhar, equipe, objetivos
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Adverb + Noun + Preposition + Infinitive + Preposition + Noun + Adjective) is common in C2 Portuguese, demonstrating an advanced understanding of sentence construction and vocabulary related to professional environments.
This sentence requires understanding of adverbs ('incansavelmente'), complex verb phrases ('garantir o reconhecimento'), and the use of 'pelo' (per + o) to express cause or reason in a C2 context.
This sentence showcases the use of an infinitive as a subject ('Trabalhar'), complex conjunctions ('mas com'), and the impersonal construction 'é possível' followed by an infinitive, which are typical of C2 proficiency.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Trabalhar is a fundamental verb for expressing the action of working in Portuguese, covering various contexts from employment to personal effort.
- Common verb for 'to work'.
- Used for jobs, tasks, and effort.
- Essential for daily conversations.
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur work
a curto prazo
A2Over a short period of time; short-term.
à exceção de
B1With the exception of; apart from.
a longo prazo
A2Over a long period of time; long-term.
a não ser que
A2Unless; except if; only if not.
a partir de
A2Starting from; from a certain point in time or place.
a prazo
A2For a period of time; on credit or payment terms.
a tempo inteiro
B1Full-time; working the full number of hours considered normal for a job.
a tempo parcial
B1Part-time; working less than full-time hours.
abdicar
A2To give up, to abdicate; to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, or claim.
acessível
B1Available, accessible; easy to approach or use.
