despacho
“despacho” means “office” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
office, study
Also: consulting room
📝 In Action
El abogado tiene su despacho en el tercer piso.
A2The lawyer has his office on the third floor.
Necesito ir a mi despacho para terminar este informe.
B1I need to go to my study to finish this report.
firm, dispatch
Also: service, shipment
📝 In Action
El despacho de la mercancía se retrasó por la aduana.
B2The dispatch (shipment) of the merchandise was delayed by customs.
Contratamos un despacho de arquitectura muy prestigioso.
B1We hired a very prestigious architecture firm.
I dispatch, I serve
Also: I deal with
📝 In Action
Yo despacho todos los pedidos antes de las cinco.
A2I dispatch (send out) all the orders before five o'clock.
En el banco, yo despacho a los clientes que necesitan retirar efectivo.
B1At the bank, I serve the clients who need to withdraw cash.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "despacho" in Spanish:
consulting room→dispatch→firm→i dispatch→i serve→office→service→shipment→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: despacho
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'despacho' as a physical location?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'despachar' (to dispatch, hurry up, or send off), which itself comes from the Old Spanish 'despachar,' possibly influenced by the Latin 'pactare' (to pack/arrange), suggesting the meaning of 'un-packing' or 'getting rid of' tasks or goods quickly.
First recorded: 14th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'despacho' and 'oficina'?
'Oficina' is the general word for office (like a corporate floor or a specific department). 'Despacho' is often used specifically for a private, individual office (like a boss's room or a doctor's consulting room) or for a professional firm (like a law firm or consulting agency).
Is 'despacho' related to 'despachar'?
Yes, absolutely! The noun 'despacho' (office/dispatch) is derived from the verb 'despachar' (to dispatch, to serve, or to handle business). The word 'despacho' is also the 'yo' (I) form of the verb in the present tense.