compañía
/kom-pah-NYEE-ah/
company
Compañía as companionship: Two friends enjoying time together.
compañía(Noun)
company
?the state of being with someone
,companionship
presence
?e.g., 'your presence is welcome'
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even if you're talking about a group of men, the word 'compañía' itself is always feminine. So you'd say 'una buena compañía' (good company), never 'un buen compañía'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Keeping Someone Company
The phrase 'hacer compañía' is the perfect way to say 'to keep someone company.' It’s a very common and warm expression to use when you're spending time with someone so they don't feel alone.
Compañía as a business or firm: A stylized, modern corporate headquarters.
📝 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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Compañía' vs. 'Empresa'
Mistake: "Using 'compañía' and 'empresa' as if they are exactly the same in all contexts."
Correction: 'Empresa' is more common for any business, big or small. 'Compañía' often implies a larger, more established corporation or a partnership. For everyday use, 'empresa' is a safe bet, but you'll see 'compañía' in names like 'Compañía Coca-Cola'.
Compañía as a troupe: Dancers performing together on a stage.
compañía(Noun)
company
?a group of performers
,troupe
?for theater or dance
company
?a military unit
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific Groups
This meaning of 'compañía' is used for organized groups with a specific purpose, like performers or soldiers. For a casual group of friends, you would use 'grupo'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: compañía
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'compañía' to mean a business?
📚 More Resources
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.