Inklingo

How to Say "associate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “associate” is “compañera” — use 'compañera' for someone you work with on the same team or in the same general workplace, emphasizing camaraderie or shared tasks..

English → Spanish

compañera

nounA1informal
Use 'compañera' for someone you work with on the same team or in the same general workplace, emphasizing camaraderie or shared tasks.

Examples

Mi compañera de trabajo me ayudó con el proyecto.

My work colleague helped me with the project.

colega

coh-LEH-gah/koˈleɣa/

nounA2formal
Choose 'colega' for a professional peer, especially in a formal or academic setting, like someone in the same department or profession.
Two professionals, a man and a woman, sitting at a large desk and reviewing a document together, illustrating professional collaboration.

Examples

Mi colega de departamento me ayudó a terminar el informe.

My department colleague helped me finish the report.

La nueva colega es bilingüe y viene de Argentina.

The new colleague (female) is bilingual and comes from Argentina.

One Form, Two Genders

The word 'colega' is special because its form does not change based on gender. Use 'el colega' for a man and 'la colega' for a woman. It is the article (el/la) that tells you the gender.

Confusing Gender by Ending

Mistake: “Using *coleg* for a male colleague because the word ends in '-a'.”

Correction: The correct form is always 'colega' regardless of who you are talking about. Just change the article: 'un colega' (a male colleague), 'una colega' (a female colleague).

socio

SOH-see-oh/ˈso.sjo/

nounB1formal
Use 'socio' when referring to a business partner, someone who shares ownership or financial interest in a company or venture.
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.

Examples

Mi socio capitalista invirtió una gran suma en el proyecto.

My capital partner invested a large sum in the project.

Ellos son socios en un bufete de abogados muy prestigioso.

They are partners in a very prestigious law firm.

Referring to the Company

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

adjunto

/ad-HOON-toh//adˈxunto/

adjectiveB2formal
Employ 'adjunto' as an adjective, most commonly in academic or professional titles, to denote a subordinate or assistant position.
Two professionals standing side-by-side in matching business attire, shaking hands.

Examples

Ella es profesora adjunta en la universidad.

She is an associate professor at the university.

El director adjunto tomará la decisión.

The assistant director will make the decision.

cómplice

nounB1
Use 'cómplice' exclusively when referring to someone involved in a crime or wrongdoing, acting as a partner in an illegal or negative activity.

Examples

La policía arrestó al ladrón y a su cómplice una hora después del robo.

The police arrested the thief and his accomplice an hour after the robbery.

Colleague vs. Partner vs. Assistant

Learners often confuse 'colega' and 'compañera' with 'socio'. Remember that 'colega'/'compañera' refer to professional peers or coworkers, while 'socio' implies a financial or ownership stake in a business. 'Adjunto' is an adjective for a specific type of subordinate role.

Related Translations

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