💼⏳

How to Say ‘I used to work’ in Portuguese

Trabalhava

truh-buh-LYAH-vuh

[truh-buh-LYAH-vuh]

💬 Usage Tip: The -ava ending describes an ongoing past situation, like a former job. Use trabalhei "I worked" for a finished, one-off event instead.

Phrase Breakdown

Trabalhava

[truh-buh-LYAH-vuh]

I used to work

Imperfect tense of 'trabalhar' for 'I', describing a past job.

Example

Trabalhava num banco.

I used to work in a bank.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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