colega
/coh-LEH-gah/
colleague
A 'colega' is a professional associate or colleague.
colega(noun)
colleague
?professional associate
workmate
?person you work with
,associate
?in a formal setting
📝 In Action
Mi colega de departamento me ayudó a terminar el informe.
A2My department colleague helped me finish the report.
La nueva colega es bilingüe y viene de Argentina.
B1The new colleague (female) is bilingual and comes from Argentina.
💡 Grammar Points
One Form, Two Genders
The word 'colega' is special because its form does not change based on gender. Use 'el colega' for a man and 'la colega' for a woman. It is the article (el/la) that tells you the gender.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender by Ending
Mistake: "Using *coleg* for a male colleague because the word ends in '-a'."
Correction: The correct form is always 'colega' regardless of who you are talking about. Just change the article: 'un colega' (a male colleague), 'una colega' (a female colleague).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use in Formal Introductions
This is a perfect word to use when introducing someone professionally, as it conveys respect for their shared field or workplace.
In a casual setting, 'colega' can mean mate, friend, or pal.
📝 In Action
¡Qué pasa, colega! ¿Vamos al cine esta noche?
B1What's up, mate! Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
Ese es mi colega desde la universidad.
B2That's been my buddy since university.
⭐ Usage Tips
Spain Specific Usage
Using 'colega' as a generic term for 'buddy' or 'pal' is particularly popular and natural in Spanish spoken in Spain, though it is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: colega
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the noun form of 'colega' to refer to a female coworker?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'colega' ever change its ending to match the gender?
No. Unlike most Spanish nouns, 'colega' is always spelled with '-a' at the end, whether you are talking about a man or a woman. The only thing that changes is the word that comes before it, like 'el' or 'la'.
Is 'colega' more formal or informal?
It depends on the context! When referring to a professional associate, it is neutral and acceptable in formal settings. When used as a casual greeting, like '¡Hola, colega!', it is very informal and friendly.