The Spanish word 'chamba' comes from Old Portuguese 'chamba', which meant 'luck' or 'chance'. In modern Spanish, the word has retained its original meaning of 'luck' but has also evolved to mean 'work' or 'job', particularly in informal contexts. This semantic expansion from 'luck' to 'work/job' might reflect how finding employment was often considered a matter of good fortune.

While 'chamba' is itself a relatively simple and informal word in Spanish, it's worth noting that in some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, it's used as a more casual alternative to formal words like 'trabajo' (work) or 'empleo' (employment).

There aren't any commonly used English words that are directly etymologically related to 'chamba'. However, English speakers might find it helpful to remember that just as 'chance' relates to luck in English, 'chamba' carries a similar connection to luck and opportunity in Spanish, though it has expanded to specifically refer to work opportunities in many contexts.