agencia
“agencia” means “agency” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
agency
Also: office, bureau
📝 In Action
Fuimos a la agencia de viajes para planear las vacaciones.
A1We went to the travel agency to plan the vacation.
La agencia de noticias reportó el evento en directo.
A2The news agency reported the event live.
Mi hermana trabaja en una agencia de publicidad muy grande.
A2My sister works at a very large advertising agency.
agency
Also: autonomy, power
📝 In Action
Los trabajadores exigieron mayor agencia sobre cómo se organizaba la producción.
C1The workers demanded greater agency over how production was organized.
Perder la agencia sobre tu propio destino es aterrador.
C2Losing agency over your own destiny is terrifying.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: agencia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'agencia' in its abstract, formal meaning (capacity to act)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin *agentia*, which is related to the verb *agere*, meaning 'to do,' 'to act,' or 'to drive.' Therefore, an 'agencia' is fundamentally a place or entity that 'acts' on behalf of others.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'agencia' siempre un lugar físico?
No. While it most commonly refers to a physical business office (like a travel agency), it can also refer to a large, non-physical organization (like a government agency) or, in formal settings, the abstract concept of personal power or control.
If I am talking about a secret agent, should I use 'agencia'?
No, you should use 'agente' (the person who acts), not 'agencia' (the organization).