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"Obrar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to act", and "trabajar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to work". Learn more about the difference between "obrar" and "trabajar" below.
obrar(
oh
-
brahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to behave)
a. to work
El antiinflamatorio obró como era de esperar y el dolor del paciente disminuyó.The anti-inflammatory worked as expected and the patient's pain went down.
3. (formal) (to defecate)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to pass a stool
El doctor me explicó que estar estreñido implica no obrar regularmente.The doctor explained that being constipated means not passing stools regularly.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to make)
a. to work
Nadie pudo demostrar que aquel santo obrara algún milagro.No one was able to show that that saint had worked any miracle.
5. (carpentry)
trabajar(
trah
-
bah
-
hahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (to shape)
a. to work
Como alfarero, me encanta trabajar el barro y crear cacharros.As a potter, I just love working the clay and making pots.
a. to work
En este pueblo todavía trabajan la tierra con bueyes.They still use oxen to work the land in this village.
5. (culinary)
b. to mix (ingredients)
Hay que trabajar los ingredientes con una batidora eléctrica.You need to mix the ingredients with a blender.
6. (to improve)
7. (to market)
trabajarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to work on
Todavía me la estoy trabajando para que pruebe a jugar al fútbol.I'm still working on her to try soccer.
