A brightly lit, organized office desk featuring a computer monitor, a colorful pen holder, and a small stack of papers, symbolizing a workspace.

oficina

/o-fee-SEE-nah/

NounfA1

office?a room or building for professional or administrative work

Also:bureau?a government department or agency (e.g., immigration office),post office?short for 'oficina de correos'

📝 In Action

Mi papá trabaja en una oficina.

My dad works in an office.

La oficina de correos abre a las nueve.

The post office opens at nine.

Tengo una reunión en la oficina central a las tres.

I have a meeting at the main office at three.

La empresa decidió modernizar todas sus oficinas para mejorar el ambiente laboral.

The company decided to modernize all its offices to improve the work environment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

despacho (office, study)
bufete (law firm, law office)
consultorio (doctor's office, consulting room)

Common Collocations

trabajo de oficina – office work
horario de oficina – office hours
material de oficina – office supplies
oficina de turismo – tourist office

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine: 'La Oficina'

'Oficina' is a feminine word, which means it always uses 'la' (the) or 'una' (a/an). For example, you'd say 'la oficina es grande' (the office is big).

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Oficina' vs. 'Despacho'

Mistake: "Using 'oficina' when talking about a small, private office inside a home or building."

Correction: Use 'oficina' for a general office space or company office. Use 'despacho' for a private office, a study at home, or a professional's office (like a lawyer or architect).

⭐ Usage Tips

More Than Just a Workplace

Think of 'oficina' as the go-to word for any place that provides a service, like 'oficina de correos' (post office) or 'oficina de objetos perdidos' (lost and found office).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: oficina

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

oficinista(office worker, clerk) - noun

ofimática(office automation / software) - noun

oficial(official) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'oficina' and 'despacho'?

Think of 'oficina' as the general word for 'office'—it can be a large open space or a whole building. 'Despacho' is more specific, usually referring to a private, enclosed office for one or a few people, like a manager's office, a professor's office, or a study in a house.

Can 'oficina' be masculine?

No, 'oficina' is always a feminine word. You will always see it with feminine words like 'la', 'una', 'esta' (this), or 'aquella' (that).