Inklingo
← Dictionary

agencia

/a-HEN-sya/

agency

A simple, clean illustration of a small, rectangular office building with large glass windows and a single entrance door, suggesting a business office or organization.

In business, agencia refers to a business office or organization.

agencia(noun)

fA1

agency

?

business office or organization

Also:

office

?

branch of a larger company

,

bureau

?

official department

📝 In Action

Fuimos a la agencia de viajes para planear las vacaciones.

A1

We went to the travel agency to plan the vacation.

La agencia de noticias reportó el evento en directo.

A2

The news agency reported the event live.

Mi hermana trabaja en una agencia de publicidad muy grande.

A2

My sister works at a very large advertising agency.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • agencia de viajes – travel agency
  • agencia inmobiliaria – real estate agency
  • agencia de alquiler de coches – car rental agency

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'agencia' ends in -a, it follows the common pattern for nouns ending in -cia or -gia and is always feminine. Use 'la' or 'una' before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "El agencia es buena."

Correction: La agencia es buena. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Type of Agency

To specify what kind of agency, you almost always follow 'agencia' with 'de' and the service it provides (e.g., 'de viajes', 'de seguros').

A simplified illustration of a human hand firmly pushing down a large, red lever on a control panel, symbolizing the capacity to act or exert power.

The capacity to act or exert power is also described using the word agencia.

agencia(noun)

fC1

agency

?

capacity to act or exert power

Also:

autonomy

?

self-determination

,

power

?

control over a situation

📝 In Action

Los trabajadores exigieron mayor agencia sobre cómo se organizaba la producción.

C1

The workers demanded greater agency over how production was organized.

Perder la agencia sobre tu propio destino es aterrador.

C2

Losing agency over your own destiny is terrifying.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • autonomía (autonomy)
  • potestad (power/authority)

Antonyms

  • impotencia (powerlessness)

Common Collocations

  • ejercer agencia – to exert agency
  • agencia moral – moral agency

💡 Grammar Points

Abstract Use

This advanced meaning is often found in combination with abstract concepts like 'moral,' 'política,' or 'económica' to discuss control within those areas.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

Only use this meaning in formal writing, academic papers, or serious discussions. In everyday talk, use simpler words like 'control' or 'autonomía'.

✏️ 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

agente(agent, representative) - noun
gestión(management, administration) - noun
activar(to activate, to start acting) - verb

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).