compañeros
/kohm-pah-NYEH-rohs/
classmates
When used in a school environment, compañeros refers to classmates learning and playing together.
compañeros(Noun)
classmates
?School or university environment
,colleagues
?Professional or work environment
co-workers
?Job setting
,teammates
?Sports or project groups
📝 In Action
¿Conoces a mis compañeros de clase? Son muy simpáticos.
A1Do you know my classmates? They are very friendly.
Mis compañeros de trabajo y yo vamos a almorzar juntos hoy.
A2My colleagues and I are going to have lunch together today.
Fueron excelentes compañeros durante la misión.
B1They were excellent teammates during the mission.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Use for Groups
Even if the group is mixed (contains women and men), Spanish uses the masculine plural form 'compañeros' to refer to everyone.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Singular/Plural
Mistake: "Using 'compañero' (singular) when talking about more than one person."
Correction: Make sure you use 'compañeros' (plural) when describing multiple people: 'Todos mis compañeros...'
⭐ Usage Tips
Singular Forms
The singular forms are 'compañero' (male peer) and 'compañera' (female peer). Only use 'compañeros' when the group is plural.
Compañeros also translates to partners, describing people involved in a joint activity or a shared relationship.
compañeros(Noun)
partners
?People in a romantic relationship or involved in a joint activity
companions
?General term for people traveling or spending time together
,associates
?Business or activity partners
📝 In Action
Ellos han sido compañeros de vida por más de veinte años.
B1They have been life partners for more than twenty years.
Los dos compañeros de viaje se perdieron en la montaña.
B2The two traveling companions got lost in the mountain.
💡 Grammar Points
Meaning of 'Compañero/a'
When used in relation to life, 'compañero/a' often implies a long-term, committed partnership without necessarily meaning marriage, similar to 'partner' in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
While 'pareja' (partner/couple) is very common, 'compañero de vida' (life partner) is a warm, slightly more emotional way to refer to a spouse or long-term partner.
✏️ 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
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.