Inklingo

How to Say "headquarters" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “headquarters” is “oficinas” — use 'oficinas' to refer to the general administrative location or main office, especially when the specific function (like military or corporate) isn't the focus.

oficinas🔊A1

Use 'oficinas' to refer to the general administrative location or main office, especially when the specific function (like military or corporate) isn't the focus.

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sede🔊B1

Use 'sede' when referring to the main office or central location of an organization, like a company, NGO, or international body.

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central🔊B1

Use 'central' for the main administrative center or hub, often for services like telephone companies or utilities.

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base🔊B1

Use 'base' specifically for a military center of operations or a foundational location for a group or activity.

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jefatura🔊B1

Use 'jefatura' to refer to the specific building or office that serves as the headquarters for an authority, like the police or a military command.

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cuartel🔊B1

Use 'cuartel' primarily for military barracks or a command center, often implying a place where soldiers live or are stationed.

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matriz🔊B2

Use 'matriz' specifically for the main office or head office of a company or business.

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English → Spanish

oficinas

oh-fee-SEE-nahso.fiˈsi.nas

nounA1general
Use 'oficinas' to refer to the general administrative location or main office, especially when the specific function (like military or corporate) isn't the focus.
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-dayˈseðe

nounB1general
Use 'sede' when referring to the main office or central location of an organization, like a company, NGO, or international body.
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-TRAHLθenˈtral

nounB1general
Use 'central' for the main administrative center or hub, often for services like telephone companies or utilities.
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-sehˈba.se

nounB1military, general
Use 'base' specifically for a military center of operations or a foundational location for a group or activity.
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.

jefatura

heh-fah-TOO-rahxefaˈtuɾa

nounB1official, military
Use 'jefatura' to refer to the specific building or office that serves as the headquarters for an authority, like the police or a military command.
A large, impressive building with a grand entrance and a flag, standing in a town square.

Examples

Tienes que ir a la jefatura de policía para denunciar el robo.

You have to go to the police headquarters to report the robbery.

La jefatura de tráfico está en el centro de la ciudad.

The traffic department headquarters is in the city center.

Nos reunimos en la jefatura de ventas a las diez.

We are meeting at the sales headquarters at ten.

Talking about Locations

When 'jefatura' refers to a building, it is often followed by 'de' and the name of the department (e.g., Jefatura de Policía).

Using 'Headquarters' as Plural

Mistake: “Las jefaturas de policía está allí.”

Correction: La jefatura de policía está allí.

cuartel

kwar-'telkwaɾˈtel

nounB1military
Use 'cuartel' primarily for military barracks or a command center, often implying a place where soldiers live or are stationed.
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.

matriz

ma-TREESmaˈtɾis

nounB2business
Use 'matriz' specifically for the main office or head office of a company or business.
A tall, modern office building standing prominently among smaller structures.

Examples

La oficina matriz de la empresa está en Madrid.

The company's head office is in Madrid.

Todas las decisiones importantes se toman en la matriz.

All important decisions are made at the headquarters.

La matriz envió nuevos protocolos a las sucursales.

The parent company sent new protocols to the branches.

Adjective placement

When using it as 'head office', put the word 'matriz' after the noun it describes, like 'oficina matriz' or 'casa matriz'.

Confusion with 'head'

Mistake: “La cabeza de la oficina.”

Correction: La oficina matriz. Use 'matriz' specifically when talking about the 'mother' branch of a business.

General vs. Specific Headquarters

Learners often use 'sede' or 'central' too broadly. Remember that 'sede' is best for the main office of an organization, while 'matriz' is specifically for a company's head office. 'Base' and 'cuartel' are usually reserved for military contexts.

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