negocio
/neh-GO-syo/
business
Negocio used here means a business, company, or a small shop.
negocio(Noun)
business
?a company or commercial organization
store
?a physical place of business
,shop
?a small retail business
📝 In Action
Mi tío tiene un negocio de zapatos en el centro.
A1My uncle has a shoe business downtown.
Abrir un negocio propio es mi sueño.
A2Opening my own business is my dream.
El negocio de la esquina vende frutas frescas.
A2The store on the corner sells fresh fruit.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'negocio' is always a masculine word. So, you'll always say 'el negocio' (the business) or 'un negocio' (a business).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Negocio' vs. 'Empresa'
Mistake: "Quiero trabajar en un negocio grande."
Correction: Quiero trabajar en una empresa grande. 'Negocio' is very general and often suggests a smaller shop or operation. For a large company or corporation, 'empresa' is a better fit.
⭐ Usage Tips
From Tiny to Big
'Negocio' is a super flexible word. It can describe anything from a friend's small online shop to a larger, more established company. It's a great all-purpose word for 'business'.
Negocio can also refer to a specific deal or transaction, often visualized by a handshake.
negocio(Noun)
deal
?a specific transaction or agreement
transaction
?an instance of buying or selling
,bargain
?a good deal
📝 In Action
Hicimos un buen negocio al comprar esta casa.
B1We made a good deal buying this house.
El negocio se cerró con un apretón de manos.
B2The deal was closed with a handshake.
Vender el coche por ese precio fue un mal negocio.
B1Selling the car for that price was a bad deal.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific Moment vs. General Company
This meaning refers to a single event or agreement. Think of it as an act of business, while the first meaning is the place of business. 'Tengo un negocio' (I have a business). 'Hice un negocio' (I made a deal).
In informal contexts, negocio can mean a complicated matter or a mess/ordeal.
negocio(Noun)
affair
?a complicated matter or situation
matter
?an issue or subject
,thing
?a situation, often used vaguely
,mess
?a complicated or difficult situation
📝 In Action
El divorcio de mis padres fue un negocio muy complicado.
B2My parents' divorce was a very complicated affair.
¡Vaya negocio en el que te has metido!
C1What a mess you've gotten yourself into!
Arreglar los papeles de la visa es todo un negocio.
B2Sorting out the visa paperwork is quite a whole thing/ordeal.
⭐ Usage Tips
Hint of Trouble
When 'negocio' is used to mean 'affair' or 'matter', it often implies that the situation is complicated, difficult, or even a little bit shady. It's a way of saying 'it's a whole big thing'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: negocio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'negocio' to mean a specific deal or transaction?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'negocio' and 'empresa'?
Think of it like 'business' vs. 'company' in English. 'Negocio' is a very broad term for any commercial activity, from a street cart to a law firm. 'Empresa' usually refers to a more structured, formal, and often larger organization or corporation. You'd say 'una pequeña empresa' (a small company) but you're more likely to call a huge multinational an 'empresa' than a 'negocio'.
How do I say 'I'm here on business'?
You would use the plural form and a preposition: 'Estoy aquí por negocios.' This is a set phrase where 'negocios' means the general activity of business, not one specific company.