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How to Say "firms" in Spanish

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empresas

ehm-PREH-sas/emˈpɾe.sas/

nounA1general
Use 'empresas' for general legal or business entities, especially when referring to their economic role in generating jobs or their overall size.
A colorful storybook illustration showing three distinct, stylized corporate office buildings standing close together, representing different companies.

Examples

Las grandes empresas generan muchos empleos.

Large companies generate many jobs.

Mi hermana trabaja para tres empresas diferentes.

My sister works for three different businesses.

Necesitamos más empresas que inviertan en tecnología.

We need more firms that invest in technology.

Feminine Plural

Since the singular word 'empresa' is feminine, the plural 'empresas' must be used with feminine plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'las empresas buenas').

Singular vs. Plural

Remember that 'empresa' means one company, and 'empresas' means two or more companies. It follows the standard rule of adding an 's' to form the plural.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Los empresas”

Correction: Las empresas. Even though it ends in 's', the word is feminine, so use 'las'.

compañías

nounB1general
Use 'compañías' when referring to specific types of businesses, such as technology or consulting firms, often highlighting their operational activities.

Examples

Muchas compañías de tecnología están contratando nuevos empleados.

Many technology companies are hiring new employees.

firmas

/FEER-mahs//ˈfiɾmas/

nounA2general
Use 'firmas' when referring to commercial businesses or companies, particularly in a context where a signature is expected, like signing a document.
A collection of stylized handwritten names on a paper.

Examples

Faltan dos firmas en esta página.

Two signatures are missing on this page.

Estamos colaborando con varias firmas de abogados.

We are collaborating with several law firms.

Plural Nouns

In Spanish, if a noun ends in 'a', we add 's' to make it plural (meaning more than one).

Gender Agreement

Empresas vs. Compañías

The most common mistake is confusing 'empresas' and 'compañías'. While both refer to businesses, 'empresas' is more general and often used for economic impact, whereas 'compañías' can refer to more specific types of firms or their operations.

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