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empresa

em-PREH-sah/emˈpɾesa/

“empresa” means “company” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

company

Also: firm, business
NounfA1
Spain
A brightly colored, stylized corporate building with large windows and a distinct, simple geometric symbol above the entrance, symbolizing a commercial organization.

📝 In Action

Trabajo para una empresa de software muy grande.

A1

I work for a very large software company.

Queremos fundar nuestra propia empresa el próximo año.

A2

We want to start our own business next year.

El presidente de la empresa dio un discurso sobre las ventas.

B1

The company president gave a speech about sales.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • compañía (company)
  • negocio (business)
  • corporación (corporation)

Common Collocations

  • pequeña empresa – small business/company
  • empresa pública – public company (government-owned)
  • jefe de empresa – head of the company

undertaking

Also: venture, challenge
NounfB2formal
A small, determined figure wearing a hardhat, laying the foundation bricks for a large, colorful structure, illustrating the start of a major undertaking.

📝 In Action

Construir ese puente fue una empresa de ingeniería muy compleja.

B2

Building that bridge was a very complex engineering undertaking.

Su viaje alrededor del mundo en bicicleta fue una empresa heroica.

C1

His trip around the world by bicycle was a heroic venture.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • una empresa difícil – a difficult undertaking
  • una gran empresa – a grand endeavor

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "empresa" in Spanish:

business→challenge→company→firm→undertaking→venture→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: empresa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'empresa' to mean 'a challenging project' instead of 'a business organization'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
empresario(businessman/entrepreneur) — Noun
empresaria(businesswoman/entrepreneur) — Noun
empresarial(business-related) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'empresa' comes from the Late Latin word *imprehensa*, which meant 'something seized' or 'undertaken.' It shares roots with the verb *emprender* (to undertake). The connection makes sense: starting a business is definitely a huge project or undertaking!

First recorded: 15th century (in the modern sense)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: empresaItalian: impresa

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'empresa' and 'negocio'?

'Empresa' generally refers to the formal, legal organization or entity itself (like 'The Coca-Cola Company'). 'Negocio' is often broader and means the overall commercial activity, the transaction, or the generalized 'business' aspect (e.g., 'Estoy en el negocio de la comida' - I'm in the food business).

How do I say 'entrepreneur' in Spanish?

You use 'empresario' (for a male) or 'empresaria' (for a female). These words come directly from 'empresa'.