How to Say ‘Used to work’ in Mexican Spanish
Trabajaba
trah-bah-HAH-bah
[trah-bah-HAH-bah]
💬 Usage Tip: "Trabajaba" is imperfect, showing repeated or ongoing past work. Perfect for describing someone’s life back then.
🇲🇽 In Mexico: Work stories are central in many Mexican families, especially when talking about parents who supported large households or worked from a young age.
Phrase Breakdown
Trabajaba
[trah-bah-HAH-bah]
used to work
Imperfect form of trabajar, for repeated or ongoing past work.
Mi abuelo Trabajaba en el campo desde joven.
My grandfather used to work in the countryside from a young age.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Moved to Mexico City for work and needed to get conversational fast. Two weeks of daily practice and I was ordering tacos and negotiating with my landlord in Spanish.”
David K., 35, Startup Founder
“I spent a month backpacking through Colombia and this app was a lifesaver. The scenario-based lessons meant I could handle real situations from day one.”
Rachel T., 26, Travel Blogger
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer