compañía
“compañía” means “company” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
company, companionship
Also: presence
📝 In Action
Gracias por tu compañía, me siento mucho mejor.
A2Thanks for your company, I feel much better.
Prefiero viajar en compañía de mis amigos.
B1I prefer to travel in the company of my friends.
El perro le hace compañía a mi abuela.
B1The dog keeps my grandmother company.
company, firm
Also: business, corporation
📝 In Action
Mi hermano trabaja en una compañía de tecnología.
A2My brother works at a technology company.
La compañía lanzó un nuevo producto al mercado.
B1The company launched a new product on the market.
Es el fundador de una pequeña compañía de diseño gráfico.
B2He is the founder of a small graphic design company.
company, troupe
Also: company
📝 In Action
Ella es bailarina en una famosa compañía de ballet.
B1She is a dancer in a famous ballet company.
La compañía de teatro presenta una obra de Shakespeare.
B1The theater company is presenting a Shakespeare play.
El soldado fue asignado a la tercera compañía.
B2The soldier was assigned to the third company.
Vocabulary Collections
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: compañía
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'compañía' to mean a business?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Late Latin word 'compania'. It’s a beautiful combination of 'com-' (meaning 'with') and 'panis' (meaning 'bread'). So, the original idea of 'compañía' was a group of people who share bread together. This evolved to mean any group you share time with, and eventually a business partnership.
First recorded: Around the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'compañía' and 'empresa'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable when talking about a business. However, 'empresa' is a more general and common term for any business, big or small. 'Compañía' often suggests a larger corporation or a legal partnership. If you're not sure which to use, 'empresa' is usually a safe choice.
Can I say 'una compañía de amigos' for 'a company of friends'?
While it's understandable, it's not very common. Spanish speakers would almost always say 'un grupo de amigos' (a group of friends). 'Compañía' for a group of people usually implies a more formal or organized group.