How to Say "business" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “business” is “negocio” — use 'negocio' when referring to a commercial organization, a company, or a specific commercial venture or deal.
negocio
neh-GO-syoneˈɣo.sjo
Examples
Mi tío tiene un negocio de zapatos en el centro.
My uncle has a shoe business downtown.
Abrir un negocio propio es mi sueño.
Opening my own business is my dream.
El negocio de la esquina vende frutas frescas.
The store on the corner sells fresh fruit.
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'negocio' is always a masculine word. So, you'll always say 'el negocio' (the business) or 'un negocio' (a business).
'Negocio' vs. 'Empresa'
Mistake: “Quiero trabajar en un negocio grande.”
Correction: Quiero trabajar en una empresa grande. 'Negocio' is very general and often suggests a smaller shop or operation. For a large company or corporation, 'empresa' is a better fit.
empresa
em-PREH-sahemˈpɾesa
Examples
Trabajo para una empresa de software muy grande.
I work for a very large software company.
Queremos fundar nuestra propia empresa el próximo año.
We want to start our own business next year.
El presidente de la empresa dio un discurso sobre las ventas.
The company president gave a speech about sales.
Always Feminine
Remember that 'empresa' is always a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la empresa', 'una empresa pequeña').
Gender Error
Mistake: “El empresa es grande.”
Correction: La empresa es grande. (Remember the ending '-a' often indicates feminine gender in Spanish nouns.)
compañía
Examples
Mi hermano trabaja en una compañía de tecnología.
My brother works at a technology company.
industria
in-DUS-triainˈdustɾja
Examples
La industria automotriz genera millones de empleos.
The automotive industry generates millions of jobs.
Necesitamos invertir más en industria pesada.
We need to invest more in heavy industry (manufacturing).
La industria del cine en México está creciendo mucho.
The film industry in Mexico is growing rapidly.
Gender and Articles
Since 'industria' ends in '-a', it is a feminine noun. You must always use the feminine article 'la' (the) or 'una' (a/an) before it.
Confusing 'Industria' and 'Fábrica'
Mistake: “Using 'industria' when you mean a specific building.”
Correction: 'Industria' refers to the whole economic category, while 'fábrica' means a specific factory building. (e.g., 'Trabajo en una fábrica' / I work in a factory.)
asunto
ah-SOON-tohaˈsunto
Examples
Tengo que resolver un asunto personal esta tarde.
I have to take care of a personal matter this afternoon.
La falta de agua es un asunto muy grave en esta región.
The lack of water is a very serious issue in this region.
No te metas en mis asuntos.
Don't meddle in my business/affairs.
Confusing with 'Negocio'
Mistake: “Using 'negocio' for any kind of 'business' you have to do. 'Negocio' is almost always about commerce or a company.”
Correction: If you mean a personal task or issue, use 'asunto'. Say 'Tengo un asunto importante' (I have an important matter), not 'Tengo un negocio importante' unless you're talking about a business deal.
comercio
koh-mehr-syohkoˈmeɾsjo
Examples
El comercio internacional ha crecido mucho este año.
International trade has grown a lot this year.
Estudió la historia del comercio en la antigüedad.
She studied the history of commerce in antiquity.
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-o', remember 'comercio' is always a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' before it.
empresarial
em-pre-sah-ryalempɾesaˈɾjal
Examples
Necesitamos un nuevo plan empresarial para el próximo año.
We need a new business plan for the next year.
La cultura empresarial en esta oficina es muy relajada.
The corporate culture in this office is very relaxed.
Ella tiene mucha experiencia en el sector empresarial.
She has a lot of experience in the business sector.
One Form for All
This word doesn't change its ending for gender. You use 'empresarial' for both masculine and feminine words, like 'el plan empresarial' and 'la gestión empresarial'.
Placement After the Noun
Like most adjectives in Spanish that describe a specific type or category, 'empresarial' almost always comes after the noun it describes.
Don't add an 'a' for feminine nouns
Mistake: “La cultura empresaria.”
Correction: La cultura empresarial. Adjectives ending in 'l' usually stay the same for both genders.
ocupación
Examples
Tengo muchas ocupaciones esta semana.
I have many things to do this week.
quehacer
keh-ah-sehrkeaˈser
Examples
Tengo muchos quehaceres domésticos hoy.
I have many household chores today.
El quehacer diario puede ser agotador.
The daily grind (daily tasks) can be exhausting.
Cada uno debe atender su propio quehacer.
Everyone should attend to their own business/tasks.
A Compound Word
This word is literally made by combining 'que' (what) and 'hacer' (to do). It describes the 'what-to-do' list of your day.
Commonly Plural
While you can use the singular form, you will most often hear it in the plural: 'los quehaceres.' This is similar to how we often say 'chores' in English.
Don't confuse with the verb
Mistake: “Tengo que quehacer.”
Correction: Tengo que hacer (I have to do) or Tengo quehaceres (I have chores).
comerciales
koh-mer-SYAH-lesko.meɾˈsja.les
Examples
Ellos firmaron acuerdos comerciales muy importantes.
They signed very important commercial agreements.
Las relaciones comerciales entre ambos países mejoraron.
The trade relations between both countries improved.
Necesitamos más espacios comerciales en esta área.
We need more commercial spaces in this area.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'comerciales' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine or feminine). Since it ends in -e, the form stays the same for both genders (e.g., 'acuerdos comerciales' and 'relaciones comerciales').
hábil
Examples
El banco procesará el pago en tres días hábiles.
The bank will process the payment in three business days.
incumbencia
een-koom-BEN-syahiŋkumˈbenθja
Examples
Ese asunto no es de mi incumbencia.
That matter is none of my concern.
La educación de los hijos es incumbencia de los padres.
The education of children is the parents' responsibility.
Eso queda fuera de tu incumbencia profesional.
That falls outside of your professional duties.
Using 'de' for Belonging
This word is almost always used with the word 'de' (of) to show who the responsibility belongs to, like 'es de mi incumbencia' (it is of my concern).
Don't use 'negocio' for 'business'
Mistake: “Using 'no es mi negocio' to say 'it's none of my business.'”
Correction: Say 'no es de mi incumbencia' or 'no es asunto mío'. 'Negocio' usually refers to a shop or a commercial deal.
patronal
pah-tro-NAHLpatɾoˈnal
Examples
La propuesta patronal no fue aceptada por los trabajadores.
The management's proposal was not accepted by the workers.
Hubo una reunión entre el sindicato y la asociación patronal.
There was a meeting between the union and the employers' association.
El cierre patronal dejó a la fábrica sin actividad.
The lockout (employer-led shutdown) left the factory inactive.
The 'Boss' Connection
This word comes from 'patrón' (boss). It is the professional way to describe things belonging to the owners or management side.
Employer vs. Employee
Mistake: “Acuerdo patronal (when referring to workers).”
Correction: Acuerdo laboral/sindical.
comercial
koh-mer-syalkomeɾˈsjal
Examples
La calle principal es la zona comercial de la ciudad.
The main street is the commercial area of the city.
Necesitamos un acuerdo comercial con ese país.
We need a trade agreement with that country.
Always the Same
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'comercial' doesn't change based on whether the thing it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., banco comercial and zona comercial).
Negocio vs. Empresa vs. Compañía
Related Translations
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