empresas
“empresas” means “companies” in Spanish (corporate entities).
companies, businesses
Also: firms, enterprises
📝 In Action
Las grandes empresas generan muchos empleos.
A2Large companies generate many jobs.
Mi hermana trabaja para tres empresas diferentes.
A1My sister works for three different businesses.
Necesitamos más empresas que inviertan en tecnología.
B1We need more firms that invest in technology.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: empresas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'empresas'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the verb 'emprender' (to undertake or begin a task). It ultimately derives from the Latin *in* (in) and *prehendere* (to grasp or seize), reflecting the idea of taking on a large, complex project.
First recorded: 15th century (as 'empresa')
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'empresas' the same as 'compañías'?
Yes, for almost all practical purposes, they are synonyms and can be used interchangeably to mean 'companies' or 'firms.' 'Empresa' is sometimes slightly preferred in financial or governmental contexts.
How do I know if a word ending in -a, like 'empresa,' is feminine?
Words that end in -a in Spanish are overwhelmingly feminine. A good rule of thumb is to assume they are feminine and use 'la' or 'las' unless you learn a specific exception (like 'el problema').