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compañeros

kohm-pah-NYEH-rohskompaˈɲeɾos

classmates, colleagues

Also: co-workers, teammates
NounmA1
Mexico
A simple colorful illustration showing two smiling children, a boy and a girl, wearing backpacks and walking side-by-side outside a school building.

📝 In Action

¿Conoces a mis compañeros de clase? Son muy simpáticos.

A1

Do you know my classmates? They are very friendly.

Mis compañeros de trabajo y yo vamos a almorzar juntos hoy.

A2

My colleagues and I are going to have lunch together today.

Fueron excelentes compañeros durante la misión.

B1

They were excellent teammates during the mission.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • compañeros de equipo – team members
  • compañeros de piso – flatmates/roommates

partners

Also: companions, associates
NounmB1
A colorful illustration of two adults, a man and a woman, sitting at a table and collaborating closely to assemble a large wooden model or puzzle.

📝 In Action

Ellos han sido compañeros de vida por más de veinte años.

B1

They have been life partners for more than twenty years.

Los dos compañeros de viaje se perdieron en la montaña.

B2

The two traveling companions got lost in the mountain.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • compañeros de aventura – adventure companions
  • compañeros inseparables – inseparable companions

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: compañeros

Question 1 of 2

If you are introducing a group of 5 women and 2 men who all work with you, what is the correct term to use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
compañero(male peer/companion (singular)) — Noun
compañera(female peer/companion (singular)) — Noun
compañía(company/firm) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
senderosceros
📚 Etymology▼

This word comes from the combination of Latin roots. 'Com-' means 'with' or 'together,' and the root of '-pañero' comes from the Latin word *panis*, meaning 'bread.' Literally, a *compañero* is someone you share bread with. This highlights the deep sense of shared life and fellowship implied by the word.

First recorded: 11th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: compagnoFrench: compagnon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'compañeros' and 'amigos'?

'Compañeros' means 'peers' or 'associates'—people you share a structured activity with (work, school, travel). 'Amigos' means 'friends,' implying a closer, voluntary, personal relationship.

Can I use 'compañeros' to refer to my friends?

Yes, but usually only when referring to close childhood friends or a tight-knit group where you shared a specific activity (like sports or military service). For general friends, 'amigos' is more common.