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How to Say "company" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “company” is “empresa” — use 'empresa' for a commercial organization or business, especially a larger one..

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empresa

em-PREH-sah/emˈpɾesa/

nounA1general
Use 'empresa' for a commercial organization or business, 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 'compañía' when referring to the state of being with someone, or a group of performers like a dance or theater troupe.

Examples

Gracias por tu compañía, me siento mucho mejor.

Thanks for your company, I feel much better.

compañía

nounA2general
Use 'compañía' for a business or firm, similar to 'empresa' but can sometimes imply a smaller or more general business.

Examples

Mi hermano trabaja en una compañía de tecnología.

My brother works at a technology company.

visita

/bee-SEE-tah//biˈsi.ta/

nounA2general
Use 'visita' specifically when referring to a group of guests or people who are visiting.
A storybook illustration showing a smiling person sitting comfortably on a living room sofa, accepting a cup of tea offered by the host standing nearby.

Examples

¡Tenemos visita! Pasa la visita a la sala, por favor.

We have guests! Please take the guests into the living room.

Ella es mi visita de hoy.

She is my visitor today.

Fixed Gender

Even if the guest is male, the word 'visita' remains feminine ('la visita'). You can say 'El señor es mi visita' (The man is my guest).

firma

FEER-mah/ˈfiɾma/

nounB1formal
Use 'firma' for a commercial organization, often implying a professional service firm like a law or accounting firm.
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).

compañía

nounB1general
Use 'compañía' for a group of performers, such as a ballet company or theater company.

Examples

Ella es bailarina en una famosa compañía de ballet.

She is a dancer in a famous ballet company.

sociedad

soh-see-eh-DAHD/so.sjeˈðað/

nounB2formal
Use 'sociedad' to refer to a business or commercial firm, particularly in a legal or financial context, like a partnership or limited company.
A high quality storybook illustration of a stylized, colorful commercial office building with large windows, representing a business firm.

Examples

Crearon una sociedad limitada para reducir riesgos.

They created a limited company (LTD) to reduce risks.

Necesitas registrar la sociedad con el gobierno.

You need to register the company with the government.

Business Acronyms

You will often see 'S.A.' (Sociedad Anónima) or 'S.L.' (Sociedad Limitada) used after a business name, indicating the type of legal company structure.

Business vs. Social Company

Learners often confuse 'empresa', 'compañía', 'firma', and 'sociedad' when referring to businesses. Remember that 'empresa' is the most general term for a business, while 'firma' often implies a professional service firm. 'Compañía' can mean business but also the act of being with someone or a group of performers.

Related Translations

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