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Lesson 96 of 238

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What I do for work in Spanish

Justin has arrived for day one at a print shop, and Alex wants to know what he does for work.

You'll learn to name your job, say where you work, and explain whether you work full-time or part-time.

You'll also say when your workday starts, or explain that you're still looking for a job.

By the end of this lesson

Say what you do, where you work, and whether your work is full-time or part-time.

  • ¿A qué te dedicas?What do you do?
  • Trabajo como ___I work as a ___
  • Trabajo en ___I work at ___
  • Trabajo de tiempo completoI work full-time
  • Trabajo medio tiempoI work part-time
  • Estoy buscando trabajoI'm looking for work
  • Empiezo a trabajar a las ___I start work at ___

Scene — day one at the print shop

It's Justin's first day at a print shop in colonia El Laurel. Alex is showing him the counter, the printers, and a stack of order forms.

Justin speaks English and has a part-time job, but today he has useful work phrases ready.

Alex shows Justin the counter and printers inside a small print shop on a colonia street.

Learn — work, place, and schedule

These chunks help you describe your work clearly in a short conversation.

Learn the whole pieces first, then swap in a job, workplace, or starting time.

  1. Alex asks Justin what he does for a living with a curious open-handed gesture.

    ¿A qué te dedicas?

    What do you do?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want to know someone's job or usual work.

    It asks about a person's work, not what they are doing at this exact moment.

    Say it: ah keh teh deh-dee-kahs

  2. Justin cheerfully explains what he works as, while Yako listens from two chairs.

    Trabajo como ___

    I work as a ___

    When to use it: Use this to name your job or professional role.

    Trabajo como means I work as; add a job after como.

  3. Justin points at the shop around him while saying where he works, and Alex nods.

    Trabajo en ___

    I work at ___

    When to use it: Use this to name the place or company where you work.

    Use en for the workplace; use como for the role.

  4. Justin proudly holds up his hands to show he works full-time.

    Trabajo de tiempo completo

    I work full-time

    When to use it: Say this when your job is full-time.

    De tiempo completo is the common phrase for full-time work.

  5. Justin tilts one hand sideways to show part-time work while Yako mimics him from two chairs.

    Trabajo medio tiempo

    I work part-time

    When to use it: Say this when your job is part-time.

    Medio tiempo means part-time; learn this short phrase as one piece.

  6. Justin rubs the back of his neck shyly while explaining he is looking for work.

    Estoy buscando trabajo

    I'm looking for work

    When to use it: Use this when you do not have a job and are searching for one.

    Buscando comes from buscar, to look for.

  7. Justin points to a blank clock face on the wall to show when he starts work.

    Empiezo a trabajar a las ___

    I start work at ___

    When to use it: Use this to say what time your workday starts.

    Empiezo means I start; add a time after a las.

    Say it: em-pee-EH-soh ah trah-bah-HAR

Story — Justin's first day

Watch Alex ask Justin about his work on the first day at the print shop.

The highlighted chunks show how Justin names his role, workplace, schedule, and starting time. Turn on Show English if needed.

  1. The print shop is opening, and Alex is carrying a box of paper.
  2. AlexBuenos días, Justin. ¿Cómo estás?Good morning, Justin. How are you?
  3. JustinBien, gracias. Estoy listo.I'm good, thanks. I'm ready.
  4. Alex¿A qué te dedicas?What do you do?
  5. JustinTrabajo como diseñador.I work as a designer.
  6. Alex¿Dónde trabajas?Where do you work?
  7. JustinTrabajo en la imprenta.I work at the print shop.
  8. Alex¿Es de tiempo completo?Is it full-time?
  9. JustinNo, no trabajo de tiempo completo; trabajo medio tiempo.No, I don't work full-time; I work part-time.
  10. Alex¿Y si buscas otra opción?What if you're looking for another option?
  11. JustinEstoy buscando trabajo extra; trabajo medio tiempo.I'm looking for extra work; I work part-time.
  12. Alex¿A qué hora empiezas?What time do you start?
  13. JustinEmpiezo a trabajar a las ocho.I start work at eight.
  14. AlexPerfecto. ¿Quieres ver las máquinas?Perfect. Do you want to see the machines?
  15. JustinSí, claro.Yes, sure.

Practice — talking about work

You'll listen, match meanings, choose replies, fill gaps, and arrange a short workplace exchange.

Read the situation carefully because each answer fits a different work question.

0 of 12 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    ¿A qué te dedicas?Drop the English here
    Trabajo en ___Drop the English here
    Trabajo de tiempo completoDrop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    Alex asks what your job is. You work as a designer.

  4. Fill the gap

    I start work at ___

    Empiezo a ____ a las ___

  5. Pick the reply

    Alex says:

    ¿Dónde trabajas?

    Where do you work?

    And you reply with:

  6. What does it mean?

    Trabajo de tiempo completo

  7. Build the line

    I work part-time

    Tap the words in order.

  8. Put the chat in order

    1. AlexWhat comes first?
    2. Justin…
    3. Alex…
    4. Justin…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

  9. True or false?

    This line says that you are searching for a job.

  10. What do you say?

    Alex asks when your workday starts. It starts at eight.

  11. What does it mean?

    Buenos días.

  12. What did you hear?

Say it — answer Alex

Now you're Justin on your first day at the print shop, and Alex is asking about your work.

When it's your turn, tap the microphone. Tap ▶ to hear the model line first; your recording stays on your device.

  1. AlexBuenos días, Justin. ¿A qué te dedicas?Good morning, Justin. What do you do?
  2. Justin (you)Say that you work as a designer.

    Trabajo como ___

    I work as a ___

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
¿A qué te dedicas?What do you do?
Trabajo como ___I work as a ___
Trabajo en ___I work at ___
Trabajo de tiempo completoI work full-time
Trabajo medio tiempoI work part-time
Estoy buscando trabajoI'm looking for work
Empiezo a trabajar a las ___I start work at ___
Next: lesson 97Can I leave early

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these work phrases handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

Review one job, one workplace, and one schedule phrase with the Yak Cards each day.

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