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How to Say "agency" in Spanish

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agencia

/a-HEN-sya//aˈxen.sja/

nounA1general
Use 'agencia' when referring to a business office, organization, or a place that provides a service, like a travel agency or a news agency.
A simple, clean illustration of a small, rectangular office building with large glass windows and a single entrance door, suggesting a business office or organization.

Examples

Fuimos a la agencia de viajes para planear las vacaciones.

We went to the travel agency to plan the vacation.

La agencia de noticias reportó el evento en directo.

The news agency reported the event live.

Mi hermana trabaja en una agencia de publicidad muy grande.

My sister works at a very large advertising agency.

Los trabajadores exigieron mayor agencia sobre cómo se organizaba la producción.

The workers demanded greater agency over how production was organized.

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'agencia' ends in -a, it follows the common pattern for nouns ending in -cia or -gia and is always feminine. Use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Abstract Use

This advanced meaning is often found in combination with abstract concepts like 'moral,' 'política,' or 'económica' to discuss control within those areas.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “El agencia es buena.”

Correction: La agencia es buena. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)

agencia

/a-HEN-sya//aˈxen.sja/

nounC1formal
Use the second meaning of 'agencia' when talking about a person's or group's power or ability to act independently and make their own free choices.
A simple, clean illustration of a small, rectangular office building with large glass windows and a single entrance door, suggesting a business office or organization.

Examples

Los trabajadores exigieron mayor agencia sobre cómo se organizaba la producción.

The workers demanded greater agency over how production was organized.

Fuimos a la agencia de viajes para planear las vacaciones.

We went to the travel agency to plan the vacation.

La agencia de noticias reportó el evento en directo.

The news agency reported the event live.

Mi hermana trabaja en una agencia de publicidad muy grande.

My sister works at a very large advertising agency.

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'agencia' ends in -a, it follows the common pattern for nouns ending in -cia or -gia and is always feminine. Use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Abstract Use

This advanced meaning is often found in combination with abstract concepts like 'moral,' 'política,' or 'económica' to discuss control within those areas.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “El agencia es buena.”

Correction: La agencia es buena. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)

representación

nounB1general
Choose 'representación' when 'agency' refers to the act of representing someone or something, especially in a formal or political context.

Examples

Queremos una mejor representación en el gobierno.

We want better representation in the government.

firma

FEER-mah/ˈfiɾma/

nounB1professional
Use 'firma' specifically when 'agency' refers to a business that provides professional services, such as a law firm or accounting firm.
A tall, modern, stylized skyscraper representing a large corporate business, set against a bright blue sky.

Examples

Trabaja para una firma de abogados muy prestigiosa.

She works for a very prestigious law firm.

Nuestra firma exporta productos a toda Europa.

Our company exports products all over Europe.

Esta es una firma de ropa de alta calidad.

This is a high-quality clothing brand.

Business Terminology

In business contexts, 'firma' often sounds more formal or specialized than 'empresa' (company) or 'negocio' (business).

Agencia vs. Firma

Learners often incorrectly use 'agencia' when they mean a professional service provider like a law firm. Remember that 'firma' is the specific term for these types of businesses, while 'agencia' is more general or refers to a place of business operations.

Related Translations

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