chamba

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job, work, employment, fluke, lucky break
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/ˈt͡ʃamba/
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Something gained, divided, or named in everyday regional speech, most often paid work.
Practice using chamba in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Le cosieron la chamba en urgencias.
    They stitched the deep cut in the emergency room.
  • Salí tarde de la chamba.
    I left work late.
  • No hables con la chamba llena.
    Do not speak with your mouth full.
  • Limpiaron la chamba antes de las lluvias.
    They cleared the ditch before the rains.
  • Esa chamba solo dura tres meses.
    That job lasts only three months.

Similar words

trabajo
chaguala
carambola
joven
puesto
chica
terrón
tajo
trompa
jale

Meanings

Work or employment

noun
work
informal
Across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America, paid work or a job, often in informal speech.

Examples

  • Conseguí chamba en una cafetería.
    I got a job at a café.
  • Hoy tengo mucha chamba pendiente.
    I have a lot of work pending today.
  • Está buscando chamba desde enero.
    She has been looking for a job since January.
  • Esa chamba solo dura tres meses.
    That job lasts only three months.
  • Salí tarde de la chamba.
    I left work late.

Similar words

trabajo
empleo
ocupación
puesto
jale
brete
laburo

A lucky break

noun
everyday
informal
In Spain and Puerto Rico, a fortunate result that happens by chance rather than skill or planning.

Examples

  • Ganó el partido de pura chamba.
    He won the match by a sheer fluke.
  • Fue una chamba encontrar mesa sin reservar.
    Finding a table without booking was a stroke of luck.
  • El gol entró de chamba.
    The goal went in by a fluke.
  • Por chamba, el tren llegó tarde y pude subir.
    By a lucky break, the train was late and I got on.
  • No fue talento, fue chamba.
    It was not skill, it was luck.

Similar words

chiripa
suerte
casualidad
carambola
potra

Boundary ditch or piece of earth

noun
agriculture
neutral
In Colombia, a ditch or raised boundary dividing rural land, and in Ecuador, a piece of turf or earth cut from the ground.

Examples

  • La chamba marca el límite de las dos fincas.
    The boundary ditch marks the limit of the two farms.
  • Limpiaron la chamba antes de las lluvias.
    They cleared the ditch before the rains.
  • El ganado no podía cruzar la chamba.
    The cattle could not cross the earth bank.
  • En Ecuador cortaron una chamba para reparar el césped.
    In Ecuador they cut a piece of turf to repair the lawn.
  • La pala quedó junto a la chamba.
    The spade was left beside the ditch.

Similar words

zanja
vallado
lindero
champa
terrón

Deep cut or wound

noun
health
informal
In western and central Colombia, a deep cut or wound, especially on the face or head.

Examples

  • La caída le dejó una chamba en la frente.
    The fall left a gash on his forehead.
  • Le cosieron la chamba en urgencias.
    They stitched the deep cut in the emergency room.
  • La chamba sangraba mucho.
    The wound was bleeding heavily.
  • Se tapó la chamba con una gasa.
    She covered the cut with gauze.
  • La chamba le dejó una cicatriz.
    The gash left him a scar.

Similar words

herida
cortadura
tajo
chaguala

Cash or a tip

noun
money
informal
In Nicaragua, cash, or money given as a tip or reward.

Examples

  • No cargo chamba, solo tarjeta.
    I am not carrying cash, only a card.
  • El cliente dejó buena chamba.
    The customer left a good tip.
  • Guardó la chamba en el bolsillo.
    He put the cash in his pocket.
  • Le dieron una chamba por ayudar.
    They gave her a cash reward for helping.
  • ¿Tenés chamba para el bus?
    Do you have cash for the bus?

Similar words

efectivo
dinero
propina
recompensa

Mouth

noun
body
slang
In the Dominican Republic, the mouth, usually in very informal speech.

Examples

  • Cierra la chamba y escucha.
    Shut your mouth and listen.
  • Se llenó la chamba de comida.
    He filled his mouth with food.
  • Le dio un golpe en la chamba.
    He hit him in the mouth.
  • No hables con la chamba llena.
    Do not speak with your mouth full.
  • Esa palabra suena fea en tu chamba.
    That word sounds ugly coming from your mouth.

Similar words

boca
jeta
hocico
trompa

Young woman

noun
social
slang
Among young people in Puerto Rico, an informal word for a girl or young woman.

Examples

  • Esa chamba estudia conmigo.
    That girl studies with me.
  • Llegaron dos chambas a la fiesta.
    Two girls arrived at the party.
  • La chamba de la camisa roja es mi prima.
    The girl in the red shirt is my cousin.
  • Conocí a una chamba muy simpática.
    I met a very friendly young woman.
  • Las chambas se fueron temprano.
    The girls left early.

Similar words

muchacha
chica
joven
jeva
chama

Etymology

From old Portuguese chamba. The exact path into its different Spanish senses is uncertain.

FAQ

What does chamba usually mean?

In much of Latin America, chamba is an informal word for trabajo or empleo, meaning work or a job.

Where is chamba used for work?

This use of chamba is widespread in Mexico and appears across Central America, the Caribbean and parts of northern and Andean South America.

Is chamba formal?

The work sense is conversational and common, but trabajo or empleo is safer in formal writing.

What is the plural of chamba?

The regular plural is chambas.

Does chamba always mean work?

No. Regional senses include a lucky break, a boundary ditch, a deep wound, cash, a mouth, and a young woman.

What is the difference between chamba and chambear?

Chamba is the noun for work or a job, while chambear is the related verb meaning to work.

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