currar

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Translating...
work, labour, work hard, put effort into, steal
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/kuˈraɾ/
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+1
To apply oneself in pursuit of a result or gain.
Practice using currar in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • No uses currar con este sentido fuera de un contexto muy informal.
    Do not use currar in this sense outside a very informal context.
  • Esa banda curró a varios jubilados por teléfono.
    That gang conned several pensioners over the phone.
  • El tipo lo curró con una venta falsa.
    The guy conned him with a fake sale.
  • La maqueta está muy currada y se nota el esfuerzo.
    The model is very well made, and the effort shows.
  • Aquí se curra mucho, pero el ambiente es bueno.
    People work hard here, but the atmosphere is good.

Similar words

aplicarse
afanarse
bregar
trabajar
timar
engañar
apencar
afanar
laborar
estafar

Meanings

Doing paid work

verb
work
informal
In Spain, to do a job or paid work, in relaxed everyday speech.

Examples

  • Marta curra en una librería del centro.
    Marta works in a bookshop downtown.
  • Llevo currando desde las ocho.
    I have been working since eight.
  • Mi hermano curró de camarero durante el verano.
    My brother worked as a waiter during the summer.
  • Aquí se curra mucho, pero el ambiente es bueno.
    People work hard here, but the atmosphere is good.
  • Mañana no curro porque es festivo.
    I am not working tomorrow because it is a holiday.

Similar words

trabajar
currelar
laborar
laburar
bretear
apencar

Putting in effort

verb
everyday
informal
In Spain, to work hard on a task or put real effort into it, often used as currárselo.

Examples

  • Se curró la presentación hasta que quedó perfecta.
    She worked hard on the presentation until it was perfect.
  • Si te lo curras, puedes sacar una nota excelente.
    If you put the work in, you can get an excellent grade.
  • Nos curramos la cena para toda la familia.
    We put a lot of work into dinner for the whole family.
  • Han currado mucho este proyecto.
    They have worked hard on this project.
  • La maqueta está muy currada y se nota el esfuerzo.
    The model is very well made, and the effort shows.

Similar words

esforzarse
trabajar
bregar
aplicarse
afanarse

Stealing or defrauding

verb
crime
slang
In Argentina and Uruguay, to take property or money dishonestly or cheat someone, a vulgar slang use.

Examples

  • El tipo lo curró con una venta falsa.
    The guy conned him with a fake sale.
  • Dicen que curraba a turistas con entradas inexistentes.
    They say he scammed tourists with nonexistent tickets.
  • Lo acusaron de currar dinero de la caja.
    He was accused of stealing money from the till.
  • Esa banda curró a varios jubilados por teléfono.
    That gang conned several pensioners over the phone.
  • No uses currar con este sentido fuera de un contexto muy informal.
    Do not use currar in this sense outside a very informal context.

Similar words

estafar
robar
timar
engañar
afanar

Etymology

From Caló currar, 'to do or work', ultimately linked by the DLE to Sanskrit kṛṇoti, 'does'.

FAQ

What does currar mean?

In Spain it commonly means to work, while in Argentina and Uruguay it can mean to steal or defraud.

Is currar formal Spanish?

No. Its work senses are informal, and its dishonest-money sense is vulgar slang.

What is the difference between currar and trabajar?

Trabajar is neutral and widely used, while currar is a casual alternative especially associated with Spain.

What does currárselo mean?

It means to work hard at something or make a strong effort.

Is currar a regular verb?

Yes. It follows the regular -ar pattern, as in curro, curré, and currado.

Where does currar come from?

It comes through Caló, and the DLE links it ultimately to a Sanskrit verb meaning 'to do'.

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