Inklingo

How to Say "bureau" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “bureau” is “oficina” — use 'oficina' for a general office space, a government department, or a business agency, similar to 'office' or 'agency'..

English → Spanish

oficina

/o-fee-SEE-nah//o.fiˈsi.na/

nounA1general
Use 'oficina' for a general office space, a government department, or a business agency, similar to 'office' or 'agency'.
A brightly lit, organized office desk featuring a computer monitor, a colorful pen holder, and a small stack of papers, symbolizing a workspace.

Examples

Mi tío trabaja en una oficina del gobierno.

My uncle works in a government office.

Mi papá trabaja en una oficina.

My dad works in an office.

La oficina de correos abre a las nueve.

The post office opens at nine.

Tengo una reunión en la oficina central a las tres.

I have a meeting at the main office at three.

Always Feminine: 'La Oficina'

'Oficina' is a feminine word, which means it always uses 'la' (the) or 'una' (a/an). For example, you'd say 'la oficina es grande' (the office is big).

'Oficina' vs. 'Despacho'

Mistake: “Using 'oficina' when talking about a small, private office inside a home or building.”

Correction: Use 'oficina' for a general office space or company office. Use 'despacho' for a private office, a study at home, or a professional's office (like a lawyer or architect).

agencia

/a-HEN-sya//aˈxen.sja/

nounA1general
Choose 'agencia' when referring to a specific type of office 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

Necesito ir a la agencia de empleo para buscar trabajo.

I need to go to the employment agency to look for a job.

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.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “El agencia es buena.”

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

escritorio

es-kree-TOH-ryo/es.kɾiˈto.ɾjo/

nounB1formal
Use 'escritorio' when 'bureau' refers to the specific office or desk area of a person in charge within an organization or government.
A small, quiet room set up as a personal office, featuring a desk, a chair, and a bookshelf.

Examples

El ministro trabaja en su escritorio desde temprano.

The minister works at his desk/office from early morning.

El director tiene su escritorio en el piso superior.

The director has his office on the top floor.

Debes dirigirte al escritorio de atención al cliente.

You should go to the customer service office (or bureau).

Formal Use

This meaning is often used in official or administrative language when referring to a specific department or location.

cómoda

nounA2general
Use 'cómoda' for a piece of furniture, specifically a chest of drawers, often found in bedrooms.

Examples

La ropa de cama está guardada en la cómoda.

The bedding is stored in the dresser.

bufete

/boo-FEH-teh//buˈfete/

nounC1formal
Consider 'bufete' for an older, more formal term for a writing desk, often associated with writers or legal professionals.
A classic wooden writing desk with small drawers and a lamp.

Examples

El abogado revisó los documentos en su bufete.

The lawyer reviewed the documents at his desk.

El escritor guardaba sus manuscritos en un antiguo bufete de roble.

The writer kept his manuscripts in an old oak writing desk.

Office vs. Furniture

The most common confusion arises between translations for 'office' ('oficina', 'agencia', 'escritorio') and those for furniture ('cómoda', 'bufete'). Always clarify if you mean a place of work or a piece of furniture before choosing your Spanish word.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.