Inklingo

How to Say "agency" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “agency” is “agencia” — use 'agencia' when referring to a business office or organization, especially one that provides services like travel or advertising.

agencia🔊A1

Use 'agencia' when referring to a business office or organization, especially one that provides services like travel or advertising.

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firma🔊B1

Choose 'firma' when referring to a business that provides professional services, such as law or accounting.

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organismo🔊B2

Use 'organismo' for a government or administrative department, often a large international one.

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representaciónB1

Use 'representación' when you mean representation in a business or political context, referring to acting on behalf of others.

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órganoC1

Use 'órgano' to refer to a specific, specialized administrative unit or department within a larger structure.

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mediaciónC1

Use 'mediación' when 'agency' refers to the means, influence, or intermediary through which something is accomplished or perceived.

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English → Spanish

agencia

a-HEN-syaaˈxen.sja

nounA1general
Use 'agencia' when referring to a business office or organization, especially one that provides services like travel or advertising.
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-syaaˈxen.sja

nounC1academic
Use this advanced sense of 'agencia' (C1) when discussing the capacity of individuals or groups 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'.)

firma

FEER-mahˈfiɾma

nounB1general
Choose 'firma' when referring to a business that provides professional services, such as law or accounting.
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).

organismo

or-gah-NEES-mohoɾɣaˈnizmo

nounB2formal
Use 'organismo' for a government or administrative department, often a large international one.
A large, stately stone building with tall columns and a flag flying from the roof.

Examples

La ONU es un organismo internacional.

The UN is an international body.

Este organismo público gestiona los impuestos.

This public agency manages taxes.

Varios organismos no gubernamentales enviaron ayuda.

Several non-governmental organizations sent help.

Plural Use

When talking about multiple agencies, use 'organismos'. It behaves exactly like any other regular noun ending in -o.

Agency Translation

Mistake: “Always using 'agencia' for government departments.”

Correction: While 'agencia' works, 'organismo' is much more common in Spanish for official government 'bodies' or 'departments'.

representación

nounB1general
Use 'representación' when you mean representation in a business or political context, referring to acting on behalf of others.

Examples

Queremos una mejor representación en el gobierno.

We want better representation in the government.

órgano

nounC1formal
Use 'órgano' to refer to a specific, specialized administrative unit or department within a larger structure.

Examples

La ONU es un órgano internacional importante.

The UN is an important international body.

mediación

nounC1academic
Use 'mediación' when 'agency' refers to the means, influence, or intermediary through which something is accomplished or perceived.

Examples

Percibimos la realidad a través de la mediación del lenguaje.

We perceive reality through the agency (or bridge) of language.

Agencia vs. Organismo for 'Body'

Learners often confuse 'agencia' and 'organismo' when translating 'agency' as a body or department. Remember that 'agencia' is more common for business contexts, while 'organismo' specifically refers to government or administrative bodies, especially international ones.

Related Translations

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