banca
“banca” means “banking” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
banking
Also: the banks
📝 In Action
La banca electrónica es muy conveniente hoy en día.
A2Online banking is very convenient nowadays.
Trabajo en el sector de la banca desde hace años.
B1I have worked in the banking sector for years.
Las nuevas leyes afectan a toda la banca privada.
B2The new laws affect all private banking.
bench
Also: sidelines
📝 In Action
El jugador estrella se quedó en la banca por una lesión.
A2The star player stayed on the bench because of an injury.
Hay una banca de madera en el parque.
A1There is a wooden bench in the park.
Toda la banca saltó de alegría con el gol.
B1The entire bench jumped for joy with the goal.
the house
Also: the bank
📝 In Action
En el casino, la banca siempre gana.
B1In the casino, the house always wins.
¿Quién quiere ser la banca en este juego de mesa?
A2Who wants to be the bank in this board game?
Él apostó todo contra la banca.
B2He bet everything against the house.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: banca
Question 1 of 3
If you are talking about the entire world of finance and banks as a sector, which word should you use?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Germanic word 'bank', which referred to a bench or table. In medieval times, money lenders worked at benches in marketplaces.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'banca' just the feminine version of 'banco'?
Not exactly. While they share an origin, they are used for different things. 'Banco' is usually the physical bank or a single park bench (in Spain), while 'banca' refers to the banking industry, a sports bench, or a bench (in Latin America).
Can I use 'banca' to mean a single bank building?
No. If you want to say 'I'm going to the bank to deposit money,' you must use 'al banco'.
Why do people say 'la banca siempre gana'?
It's a common saying that means 'the house always wins,' referring to the fact that casinos are designed to make a profit in the long run.