Inklingo

How to Say "business" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “business” is “negocio” — use this when referring to a commercial enterprise, a shop, or a deal..

negocio🔊A1

Use this when referring to a commercial enterprise, a shop, or a deal.

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empresa🔊A1

Use this for a formal commercial entity or company, especially a larger one.

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compañíaA2

Use this word for a company or enterprise, often interchangeable with 'empresa'.

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industria🔊A2

Refer to a specific sector or industry when using this term, like 'the film industry'.

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comercial🔊A2

Use this adjective to describe something related to trade or commerce, or a commercial area.

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asunto🔊B1

Use this for a matter, issue, or personal task that needs attention.

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ocupaciónB1

Use this to describe the state of being busy or having many things to do.

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comercio🔊B1

Refer to economic activity, trade, or commerce in a broader sense with this word.

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comerciales🔊B2

Use this plural adjective for multiple business-related agreements or activities.

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incumbencia🔊B2

This word is typically used in the specific phrase 'no es de mi incumbencia' meaning 'none of your business'.

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English → Spanish

negocio

/neh-GO-syo//neˈɣo.sjo/

NounA1General
Use this when referring to a commercial enterprise, a shop, or a deal.
A friendly shopkeeper standing outside a small, bright storefront with colorful shoes displayed in the window, representing a business.

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-sah/emˈpɾesa/

nounA1General
Use this for a formal commercial entity or company, especially a larger one.
A brightly colored, stylized corporate building with large windows and a distinct, simple geometric symbol above the entrance, symbolizing a commercial organization.

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

NounA2General
Use this word for a company or enterprise, often interchangeable with 'empresa'.

Examples

Mi hermano trabaja en una compañía de tecnología.

My brother works at a technology company.

industria

/in-DUS-tria//inˈdustɾja/

nounA2General
Refer to a specific sector or industry when using this term, like 'the film industry'.
A large, simple factory building with multiple smoke stacks releasing white steam, set against a bright blue sky.

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.)

comercial

/koh-mer-syal//komeɾˈsjal/

adjectiveA2General
Use this adjective to describe something related to trade or commerce, or a commercial area.
Two stylized figures standing at a counter, one handing a package to the other who is offering coins, representing a business transaction.

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).

asunto

/ah-SOON-toh//aˈsunto/

NounB1General
Use this for a matter, issue, or personal task that needs attention.
A focused character carrying a massive, towering stack of colorful folders marked with simple abstract symbols, representing pending business or matters to resolve.

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.

ocupación

nounB1General
Use this to describe the state of being busy or having many things to do.

Examples

Tengo muchas ocupaciones esta semana.

I have many things to do this week.

comercio

/koh-mehr-syoh//koˈmeɾsjo/

nounB1General
Refer to economic activity, trade, or commerce in a broader sense with this word.
Two stylized figures engaging in trade. One figure holds a basket of fruit, and the other holds a small sack of money, symbolizing the exchange that defines commerce.

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.

comerciales

koh-mer-SYAH-les/ko.meɾˈsja.les/

adjectiveB2General
Use this plural adjective for multiple business-related agreements or activities.
A close-up view of two hands performing a transaction, exchanging a coin for a wrapped package across a simple wooden counter.

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').

incumbencia

/een-koom-BEN-syah//iŋkumˈbenθja/

nounB2Formal
This word is typically used in the specific phrase 'no es de mi incumbencia' meaning 'none of your business'.
A gardener carefully watering a small, vibrant green plant in a pot.

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.

Negocio vs. Empresa

The most common confusion is between 'negocio' and 'empresa'. While both can mean 'company', 'negocio' often refers to a smaller, more personal venture or a specific deal, whereas 'empresa' usually denotes a larger, more formal commercial organization.

Related Translations

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