comisión
“comisión” means “committee” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
committee, board
Also: commission
📝 In Action
La comisión de urbanismo aprobó el nuevo proyecto.
B1The urban planning committee approved the new project.
Fui nombrado para formar parte de la comisión directiva.
B2I was named to be part of the steering committee (or board).
commission
Also: fee
📝 In Action
El agente inmobiliario se llevó una comisión muy alta.
B1The real estate agent took a very high commission.
El banco cobra una comisión por retirar dinero en el extranjero.
B1The bank charges a fee (commission) for withdrawing money abroad.
errand, task
📝 In Action
Tengo que hacer una comisión al centro antes de comer.
A2I have to run an errand downtown before lunch.
Me enviaron con la comisión de entregar este paquete.
B1They sent me with the task of delivering this package.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: comisión
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'comisión' to mean a financial payment?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *commissio*, which literally meant 'a sending together' or 'a mandate'. This core idea explains all meanings: whether you are given a task (errand), given authority (committee), or given a payment for a task (fee).
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'comisión' means 'committee' or 'fee'?
Look at the context. If it’s paired with a percentage or a bank charge ('5% comisión', 'cobrar una comisión'), it means the fee. If it’s paired with a verb like 'formar', 'viajar', or 'investigar', it means the group of people (committee).
Is 'comisión' ever used for a crime?
Yes, but usually only in very formal or legal writing. You might hear 'la comisión de un delito' (the committing of a crime), but in daily speech, people usually use other words like 'hacer' or 'realizar' un delito.