Inklingo

How to Say "headquarters" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “headquarters” is “oficinas” — use 'oficinas' when referring to the general administrative location or offices of a company or organization, especially when the focus is on the physical space..

oficinas🔊A1

Use 'oficinas' when referring to the general administrative location or offices of a company or organization, especially when the focus is on the physical space.

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sede🔊B1

Choose 'sede' when referring to the main administrative center or central office of an organization or company, emphasizing its primary location.

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central🔊B1

Use 'central' for the main administrative office or control center, often used for utilities, public services, or communication hubs.

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base🔊B1

Employ 'base' when referring to a center of operations, typically for military, scientific, or logistical activities, implying a starting or returning point.

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cuartel🔊B1

Use 'cuartel' specifically for military barracks or a command center for soldiers, often implying a place of residence and duty.

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English → Spanish

oficinas

oh-fee-SEE-nahs/o.fiˈsi.nas/

nounA1general
Use 'oficinas' when referring to the general administrative location or offices of a company or organization, especially when the focus is on the physical space.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a row of three distinct, simple rectangular buildings side by side, representing multiple separate offices.

Examples

Las oficinas están en el piso diez de este edificio.

The offices are on the tenth floor of this building.

Trabajo en las oficinas centrales de la empresa.

I work in the company's main offices (headquarters).

El horario de atención al público en las oficinas es de 9 a 5.

Public service hours at the offices are from 9 to 5.

Feminine Plural

Since the singular form 'oficina' ends in -a, it is feminine. When plural, it uses the feminine definite article 'las' (las oficinas).

Mixing up 'office' and 'trade'

Mistake: “Using 'oficios' when you mean 'offices'.”

Correction: 'Oficinas' means the rooms where people work. 'Oficios' means trades or manual jobs.

sede

/SAY-day//ˈseðe/

nounB1general
Choose 'sede' when referring to the main administrative center or central office of an organization or company, emphasizing its primary location.
A large, modern building with many glass windows and a prominent entrance, standing as a central hub in a clean city environment.

Examples

La sede principal de la empresa está en Madrid.

The company's main headquarters is in Madrid.

Ginebra es la sede de muchas organizaciones internacionales.

Geneva is the seat of many international organizations.

Gender Alert

Even though it ends in 'e', this word is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

Don't confuse with 'sed'

Mistake: “Tengo sede.”

Correction: Tengo sed.

central

sen-TRAHL/θenˈtral/

nounB1general
Use 'central' for the main administrative office or control center, often used for utilities, public services, or communication hubs.
A large, imposing, main administrative building with a flagpole in front of it, clearly dominating smaller surrounding buildings, symbolizing a headquarters.

Examples

Llamé a la central para solicitar más información.

I called the headquarters to request more information.

La compañía trasladó su central a la capital.

The company moved its main office to the capital.

Feminine Noun

When used as a noun meaning 'headquarters,' 'central' is always feminine: 'la central'.

base

/BAH-seh//ˈba.se/

nounB1general
Employ 'base' when referring to a center of operations, typically for military, scientific, or logistical activities, implying a starting or returning point.
A simplistic illustration of a military installation, featuring a few low barracks buildings surrounded by a fence on a flat desert landscape.

Examples

Los soldados regresaron a la base después de la misión.

The soldiers returned to the base after the mission.

La compañía tiene su base de operaciones en Madrid.

The company has its base of operations in Madrid.

El corredor llegó a segunda base.

The runner reached second base.

cuartel

/kwar-'tel//kwaɾˈtel/

nounB1military
Use 'cuartel' specifically for military barracks or a command center for soldiers, often implying a place of residence and duty.
A simple illustration of a long, utilitarian military barracks building with a red roof, situated on a green lawn.

Examples

Los soldados deben regresar al cuartel antes de las seis.

The soldiers must return to the barracks before six o'clock.

El cuartel general se estableció en el centro de la ciudad.

The general headquarters were established in the center of the city.

Pasó tres años de servicio en un cuartel cerca de la frontera.

He spent three years of service in a military base near the border.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'cuartel' ends in -l, it is a masculine noun, so use 'el cuartel' or 'un cuartel'.

Using 'cuarto'

Mistake: “Using 'cuarto' (room/quarter) when you mean the military facility.”

Correction: Use 'cuartel' for the large military building or base; 'cuarto' is just a single room.

General Office vs. Main Center

Learners often confuse 'oficinas' and 'sede'. 'Oficinas' refers to the general administrative offices (plural), while 'sede' specifically denotes the main, principal location of an organization.

Related Translations

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