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socio

SOH-see-oh/ˈso.sjo/

“socio” means “member” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

member

Also: subscriber, cardholder
NounmA2
Three cheerful cartoon figures standing close together, all wearing identical blue scarves, symbolizing their shared membership in a group or club.

📝 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

business partner, associate

Also: stakeholder
NounmB1neutral to formal
Mexico
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.

📝 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

Translate to Spanish

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word 'socius,' which meant 'companion,' 'ally,' or 'partner.' This root emphasizes the idea of sharing or being joined together for a common purpose.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: socioPortuguese: sócio

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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).