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Spanish Phrase

¿A qué hora empiezas a trabajar?

/a ke ˈoɾa emˈpjeθas a tɾaβaˈxaɾ/
Meaning"At what time do you start working?"
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Meaning

Literally, "At what time do you start to work?" It is used to inquire about someone's work schedule, especially the moment they begin their shift or a new job.

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When to use

Use this question when you need to coordinate meetings, plan a coffee break, or simply show interest in a colleague's daily routine. It works in both formal and informal contexts, though you may soften it with "por favor" in a very polite setting.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿Aquéhoraempiezasatrabajar?

1

¿A qué hora?

The fixed interrogative phrase used to ask "at what time". It always takes the preposition "a" + interrogative "qué" + noun "hora".

2

empiezas

Second‑person singular (tú) present indicative of the verb *empezar* (to start).

3

a + infinitive

In Spanish the preposition *a* introduces the infinitive that follows the verb of beginning, e.g., *empezar a trabajar*.

4

trabajar

Infinitive form of the verb meaning "to work"; it does not change with the subject.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿A qué hora empiezas a trabajar?

At what time do you start working?

Empiezo a las ocho de la mañana.

I start at eight in the morning.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿A que hora empiezas a trabajar?

    Missing the accent changes the meaning; "que" is a conjunction, while "qué" is the interrogative pronoun.

  • ¿A qué hora empieza a trabajar?

    Use the second‑person form *empiezas* when speaking to "tú"; *empieza* is third‑person singular.

  • ¿A qué hora empiezas a trabajas?

    After *empezar a* you need the infinitive, not a conjugated verb.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿A qué hora comienzas a trabajar?

    At what time do you begin working?

  • ¿A qué hora inicias tu jornada?

    At what time do you start your workday?

  • ¿A qué hora te pones a trabajar?

    At what time do you get to work?

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries the concept of "on‑time" can be flexible, especially in social settings. When asking about work hours, keep a friendly tone and, if you need a precise answer, follow up with "¿Podrías confirmarme la hora exacta?" to show respect for the other person's schedule.