Inklingo
← Dictionary

socio

/SOH-see-oh/

member

Three cheerful cartoon figures standing close together, all wearing identical blue scarves, symbolizing their shared membership in a group or club.

As a member (socio) of a club, you are part of a unified group.

socio(noun)

mA2

member

?

of a club, organization, or group

Also:

subscriber

?

to a service or publication

,

cardholder

?

someone with a membership card

📝 In Action

Para usar la piscina, tienes que ser socio del gimnasio.

A2

To use the pool, you have to be a member of the gym.

¿Cuántos años lleva siendo socio de este club de golf?

B1

How many years have you been a member of this golf club?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • miembro (member)
  • afiliado (affiliate)

Common Collocations

  • socio honorario – honorary member
  • carnet de socio – membership card

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Matching

Remember that 'socio' is masculine (for a man or boy). If you are referring to a woman or girl, use the feminine form, 'socia'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Socio' and 'Pareja'

Mistake: "Using 'socio' to mean a romantic partner."

Correction: Use 'pareja' (partner) or 'novio/a' (boyfriend/girlfriend) for romantic relationships, not 'socio'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Common Contexts

You will often hear this word in contexts related to sports, culture, and non-profit organizations that require registration fees.

A man and a woman sitting across a desk from each other, smiling, with both of their hands placed on a single large, stylized golden key, symbolizing shared ownership in a venture.

A business partner (socio) shares ownership and responsibility in a venture.

socio(noun)

mB1

business partner

?

co-owner of a company or venture

,

associate

?

a person joined with others in a firm

Also:

stakeholder

?

someone with a financial interest in a company

📝 In Action

Mi socio capitalista invirtió una gran suma en el proyecto.

B2

My capital partner invested a large sum in the project.

Ellos son socios en un bufete de abogados muy prestigioso.

B1

They are partners in a very prestigious law firm.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • socio fundador – founding partner
  • hacerse socio – to become a partner/member

💡 Grammar Points

Referring to the Company

When talking about the business itself, the related noun is 'sociedad' (society or company/partnership).

⭐ Usage Tips

In Mexico and Central America

In some informal settings, 'socio' can be used affectionately to mean 'mate,' 'pal,' or 'buddy,' similar to calling someone 'amigo' (friend).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: socio

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'socio' in the sense of a business relationship?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

socia(female partner/member) - noun
sociedad(society/partnership/company) - noun
asociar(to associate/to partner) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'socio' used for romantic partners or spouses?

No. In standard Spanish, 'socio' is strictly used for business partnerships, club memberships, or associations. For a romantic partner, use 'pareja' (partner) or 'esposo/a' (spouse).

If I want to talk about the concept of 'partnership' itself, what word should I use?

You should use the related word 'sociedad.' For example, you might say 'Creamos una nueva sociedad' (We created a new partnership/company).