Cite this Article

Spanish for Construction Workers (General Construction)

Are you a construction worker looking to enhance your skills and communication on the job site? ¡Estás en el lugar correcto! (You’re in the right place!) In the dynamic world of construction, clear communication is key to ensuring safety, efficiency, and precision. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, having a strong grasp of Spanish can be a game-changer. In this blog post, we’ve created a valuable resource for construction workers like you: “Spanish for Construction Workers.”

Content

  • Tools (Power and Manual)
  • Equipment
  • Safety
  • Common Terms & Phrases
  • Supplies/Materials
  • Areas of the Building/Home/Job site
  • Construction Verbs
  • Measurements and Fractions
  • Clean Up

1. Vocabulary: Building the Foundation

Tools (Power and Manual)

To thrive in the construction industry, you’ll need to know the names of various tools used in your trade. Here are some essential ones in Spanish:

SpanishEnglish
MartilloHammer
DestornilladorScrewdriver
Sierra eléctricaElectric saw
Llave inglesaWrench
TaladroDrill
MazoMallet

Check Out Our
Spanish Training for
Construction Workers

Equipment

Understanding equipment is vital for safety and efficiency:

SpanishEnglish
GrúaCrane
ExcavadoraExcavator
MezcladoraMixer
Plataforma elevadoraLift platform
Rodillo compactadorCompactor roller
GeneradorGenerator
Compresor de aireAir compressor
Máquina de soldarWelding machine
Sierras circularesCircular saws

Safety

Prioritizing safety is non-negotiable in construction. Learn these terms:

SpanishEnglish
Casco de seguridadHard hat
GuantesGloves
Arnés de seguridadSafety harness
ExtintorFire extinguisher
Gafas de seguridadSafety goggles
Conos de señalizaciónTraffic cones
Barreras de seguridadSafety barriers

Common Terms & Phrases

Master these everyday phrases and questions:

SpanishEnglish
¿Dónde está la herramienta?Where is the tool?
Necesito ayudaI need help
Ten cuidadoBe careful
Trabaja más despacioWork more slowly
Terminemos esto juntosLet's finish this together
¿Alguien vio mi casco?Has anyone seen my hard hat
¡Atención!Attention!
¿Dónde está el baño?Where is the restroom?
¿Cuánto tiempo llevará esto?How long will this take?

Check Out Our
English Training for
Construction Workers

Supplies/Materials

Know your construction materials:

SpanishEnglish
LadrilloBrick
MaderaWood
CementoCement
AlambreWire
AceroSteel
VidrioGlass
ConcretoConcrete
ArenaSand
PiedraStone
Lámina de metalMetal sheet
PlásticoPlastic
Aislante térmicoInsulation
Madera contrachapadaPlywood
Bloque de hormigónConcrete block
Tubos de PVCPVC pipes
HierroIron
TejasTiles
GravaGravel
YesoPlaster
AdhesivoAdhesive
MorteroMortar
Láminas de techoRoofing sheets
PinturaPaint
Tela asfálticaRoofing felt
Tablero de yesoDrywall
Cables eléctricosElectrical cables
Tuberías de cobreCopper pipes
Ladrillos refractariosRefractory bricks
Malla de alambreWire mesh
Placas de yeso laminadoGypsum board
Resina epoxiEpoxy resin
AcrílicoAcrylic
TornillosScrews
ClavosNails
Tuercas y pernosNuts and bolts
Cinta adhesivaTape
SelladorSealant
PlomoLead
Fibra de vidrioFiberglass
Papel de lijaSandpaper
AmiantoAsbestos
LonaTarpaulin
Tubería de hierro fundidoCast iron pipe
Manguera de jardínGarden hose
Piedra angularCornerstone
PizarraSlate
Lámina de polietilenoPolyethylene sheet
Madera contrachapada marinaMarine plywood
Arena silicaSilica sand
GrifoFaucet

Areas of the Building/Home/Job site

Navigate the job site with ease:

SpanishEnglish
AlbañilMason
CarpinteroCarpenter
ElectricistaElectrician
FontaneroPlumber
PintorPainter
SoldadorWelder
Ingeniero civilCivil engineer
ArquitectoArchitect
Supervisor de obraSite supervisor
Operador de maquinariaMachine operator
Técnico en HVACHVAC Technician
Diseñador de interioresInterior Designer
Ingeniero estructuralStructural Engineer
EbanistaJoiner
TopógrafoSurveyor
AparejadorRigger
Técnico de seguridadSafety Technician
Dibujante técnicoDraftsperson
Almacenista de materialesMaterials Handler
Especialista en aislamientoInsulation Specialist
VidrieroGlazier
Constructor de andamiosScaffolder
Técnico en control de calidadQuality Control Technician
Ingeniero geotécnicoGeotechnical Engineer
Instalador de sistemas de seguridadSecurity Systems Installer
Ingeniero de proyectosProject Engineer
Controlador de tráficoTraffic Controller
Maestro de obraMaster Builder
Especialista en revestimientoCladding Specialist
Jefe de excavaciónExcavation Foreman
Técnico en energía solarSolar Energy Technician
Perforador de pozosWell Driller
Técnico en sistemas eléctricosElectrical Systems Technician
Especialista en impermeabilizaciónWaterproofing Specialist
Operador de grúa torreTower Crane Operator
Ingeniero de seguridad industrialIndustrial Safety Engineer
Montador de estructuras metálicasSteel Structures Assembler
Controlador de calidad de hormigónConcrete Quality Control Inspector
Especialista en aires acondicionadosHVAC Specialist
Ingeniero de tráficoTraffic Engineer
Técnico en sistemas de comunicaciónCommunication Systems Technician
PavimentadorPaver
Especialista en fontanería comercialCommercial Plumbing Specialist
Inspector de edificiosBuilding Inspector
Especialista en sistemas de riegoIrrigation Systems Specialist
Pintor de brocha gordaBrush Painter
Especialista en energía renovableRenewable Energy Specialist
Ingeniero de control de calidadQuality Control Engineer
Especialista en tratamiento de aguasWater Treatment Specialist
Ingeniero de estructuras de aceroSteel Structures Engineer

Construction Verbs

Action words for getting the job done:

SpanishEnglish
CortarTo cut
MedirTo measure
RepararTo repair
DiseñarTo design
InstalarTo install
DemolerTo demolish
ExcavarTo excavate
EnsamblarTo assemble
RemodelarTo remodel

Measurements and Fractions

Precision matters:

SpanishEnglish
PulgadasInches
CentímetrosCentimeters
MetrosMeters
PiesFeet
KilogramosKilograms
LibrasPounds
GalonesGallons
LitrosLiters
MedioHalf
Un cuartoA quarter

Clean Up

Leaving the job site spotless:

SpanishEnglish
RecogerTo clean up
BasuraTrash
EscobaBroom
Bolsa de basuraTrash bag
Cubo de basuraTrash bin
ReciclajeRecycling
FregonaMop
AspiradoraVacuum cleaner
Desechos peligrososHazardous waste
Zona de almacenamientoStorage area

2. Common Spanish Phrases for Construction Workers

  1. ¿Tienes el plano? – Do you have the blueprint?
  2. El cliente está contento. – The client is happy.
  3. Necesitamos más materiales. – We need more materials.
  4. ¿Dónde está la herramienta que necesito? – Where is the tool I need?
  5. Por favor, pasa el martillo. – Please pass the hammer.
  6. Trabaja con cuidado. – Work carefully.
  7. No puedo encontrar mis guantes. – I can’t find my gloves.
  8. Ayúdame a levantar esto. – Help me lift this.
  9. ¿Tienes un lápiz para marcar las medidas? – Do you have a pencil to mark the measurements?
  10. Vamos a terminar este proyecto a tiempo. – We’re going to finish this project on time.
  11. No olvides la regla de medir. – Don’t forget the measuring tape.
  12. ¿Alguien ha visto mi casco? – Has anyone seen my hard hat?
  13. Revisa la instalación eléctrica. – Check the electrical wiring.
  14. Tenemos que nivelar el suelo. – We need to level the ground.

3. Typical Scenario on the Job site

Scenario: A conversation between two construction workers, Juan and Carlos, on a busy job site.

Juan: ¡Hola, Carlos! ¿Cómo estás hoy? (Hello, Carlos! How are you today?)

Carlos: ¡Hola, Juan! Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? (Hello, Juan! I’m good, thank you. How about you?)

Juan: Estoy cansado, pero listo para trabajar. (I’m tired, but ready to work.)

Carlos: Perfecto. Necesitamos terminar la pared hoy. (Perfect. We need to finish the wall today.)

Juan: Sí, primero debemos medirla. (Yes, first we should measure it.)

Carlos: Aquí está la cinta métrica. (Here’s the measuring tape.)

Juan: Gracias. ¿Cuánto mide? (Thank you. How long is it?)

Carlos: Son ocho pies de largo. (It’s eight feet long.)

Juan: Necesitamos cortarla a cuatro pies de alto. (We need to cut it to four feet high.)

Carlos: Entendido. Voy a buscar la sierra eléctrica. (Got it. I’ll get the electric saw.)

Juan: ¡Cuidado con la sierra! (Be careful with the saw!)

Carlos: Siempre lo soy. (I always am.)

This typical scenario demonstrates how essential Spanish communication skills can be on a construction job site. Clear, concise conversations like these help ensure tasks are completed accurately and safely.

In Conclusion

Learning Spanish for construction work can open doors to better teamwork, safety, and job opportunities. Use this cheat sheet as your go-to resource to expand your construction vocabulary, understand common phrases, and excel in everyday scenarios on the job site. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

About the Author:

Angela Vallejos - Spanish Tutor

Specializations: Spanish Tutors on Zoom

Bio: I am a Chilean teacher of English, Bachelor of English Language and Bachelor of Education. I studied Nursing at a prestigious School of Medicine for 3 years before starting my English Pedagogy studies. Currently, I'm working online as an English and Spanish tutor, translating and proofreading all types of texts.

View my Profile to Book a Private Spanish Lesson

Other articles: Spanish for Pediatrics Medicine – Terms, Phrases and Expressions

Cite this Article