Inklingo

How to Say "firm" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “firm” is “empresa” — use this for a general business or company, especially one providing a service or product. It's the most common and versatile translation.

empresa🔊A1

Use this for a general business or company, especially one providing a service or product. It's the most common and versatile translation.

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compañíaA2

This is another common word for a company or business, often interchangeable with 'empresa' but can sometimes imply a slightly more formal or established entity.

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firme🔊A2

Use this when describing something as solid, stable, or unmoving in a physical sense. Think of a sturdy object.

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estable🔊A2

This describes something as steady and unlikely to fall or collapse, often referring to a foundation or structure.

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firma🔊B1

This specifically refers to a business, especially a professional practice like a law firm or accounting firm.

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corporaciónB1

Use this for a large, often multinational, business or organization, typically with a formal legal structure.

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organizaciónB1

This refers to an organized group of people with a particular purpose, which can include businesses, non-profits, or other entities.

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consistente🔊B1

Use this to describe a physical texture or material that is thick, dense, or solid, like a sauce or dough.

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decidido🔊B1

This translates to 'determined' or 'resolute' and describes a person's strong conviction or intention, not a physical state.

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despacho🔊B1

This refers to the act of sending something off, like a shipment or dispatch, or sometimes an office or study.

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English → Spanish

empresa

em-PREH-sahemˈpɾesa

nounA1professional service
Use this for a general business or company, especially one providing a service or product. It's the most common and versatile translation.
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

nounA2company
This is another common word for a company or business, often interchangeable with 'empresa' but can sometimes imply a slightly more formal or established entity.

Examples

Mi hermano trabaja en una compañía de tecnología.

My brother works at a technology company.

firme

FEER-mehˈfiɾme

adjectiveA2solid, stable
Use this when describing something as solid, stable, or unmoving in a physical sense. Think of a sturdy object.
A massive, stable gray boulder resting immovably on a patch of green grass, illustrating stability.

Examples

Asegúrate de que la mesa esté firme antes de poner el jarrón.

Make sure the table is firm before you put the vase on it.

Caminamos por tierra firme después de salir del barco.

We walked on firm ground after getting off the boat.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'firme' changes its ending to match the thing it describes. However, 'firme' is one of those adjectives that works for both masculine and feminine things (el piso firme, la base firme).

estable

es-TAH-blehesˈtaβle

adjectiveA2foundation
This describes something as steady and unlikely to fall or collapse, often referring to a foundation or structure.
A large, perfectly balanced blue cube resting firmly on a flat green surface, illustrating physical firmness and stability.

Examples

Asegúrate de que la escalera esté estable antes de subir.

Make sure the ladder is stable before climbing.

El trípode mantuvo la cámara perfectamente estable.

The tripod kept the camera perfectly steady.

Adjective Placement

Like most descriptive adjectives, 'estable' usually goes after the noun it describes: 'una base estable' (a stable base).

Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Mistake: “La mesa es estable.”

Correction: La mesa está estable. (Use ESTAR when talking about a temporary state or condition, like whether an object is currently steady or wobbly.)

firma

FEER-mahˈfiɾma

nounB1business or company
This specifically refers to a business, especially a professional practice like a law firm 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).

corporación

nounB1a professional organization
Use this for a large, often multinational, business or organization, typically with a formal legal structure.

Examples

Ella trabaja para una gran corporación multinacional.

She works for a large multinational corporation.

organización

nounB1a business entity
This refers to an organized group of people with a particular purpose, which can include businesses, non-profits, or other entities.

Examples

Ella trabaja para una organización no gubernamental.

She works for a non-governmental organization (NGO).

consistente

kon-sees-TEN-tehkonsisˈtente

adjectiveB1physical texture or material
Use this to describe a physical texture or material that is thick, dense, or solid, like a sauce or dough.
A wooden block sitting on a table, showing its solid and firm texture.

Examples

La salsa necesita estar más consistente antes de servirla.

The sauce needs to be thicker/firmer before serving it.

El abogado presentó un argumento muy consistente ante el juez.

The lawyer presented a very solid argument to the judge.

Para construir esta mesa, necesitamos una madera más consistente.

To build this table, we need a more solid/sturdy wood.

One Form for All

This word is 'gender-neutral,' meaning it stays 'consistente' whether you are describing a masculine noun (el argumento) or a feminine noun (la masa).

Describing Logic

When used with abstract things like ideas or theories, it means they 'hold water' or are well-structured.

The 'Steady' Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'consistente' to mean a person is 'consistent' in their habits.”

Correction: While 'consistente' can work for steady results, use 'constante' if you want to say someone is disciplined or persistent.

decidido

deh-see-DEE-dohde.θiˈði.ðo

adjectiveB1Strong in conviction
This translates to 'determined' or 'resolute' and describes a person's strong conviction or intention, not a physical state.
A focused child firmly plants a small red flag on the top of a grassy mound, symbolizing determination and resolve.

Examples

Llegó al examen con una actitud muy decidida.

She arrived at the exam with a very determined attitude.

El presidente se mostró decidido a implementar los cambios.

The president showed himself to be resolute in implementing the changes.

Eres muy decidido, siempre sabes lo que quieres.

You are very determined; you always know what you want.

Adjective Agreement

Like all Spanish adjectives, 'decidido' must match the person or thing it describes in both gender and number: 'Ella es decidida' (She is determined) vs. 'Ellos son decididos' (They are determined).

despacho

des-PAH-chohdesˈpatʃo

nounB1business or law practice
This refers to the act of sending something off, like a shipment or dispatch, or sometimes an office or study.
An elegant, classical building facade featuring large columns, symbolizing a professional firm or business practice.

Examples

El despacho de la mercancía se retrasó por la aduana.

The dispatch (shipment) of the merchandise was delayed by customs.

Contratamos un despacho de arquitectura muy prestigioso.

We hired a very prestigious architecture firm.

Action Noun

In this sense, 'despacho' means the action of 'despachar' (to send or attend to), turning a verb action into a masculine noun.

Business vs. Physical Firmness

The most common mistake is confusing the Spanish words for a business ('empresa', 'compañía', 'firma') with the adjective for physical stability ('firme', 'estable'). Remember that 'firme' and 'estable' describe objects and structures, while 'empresa' and 'compañía' refer to organizations.

Related Translations

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