negocio
everyday
Business in Mexican Spanish is negocio for a shop or venture and empresa for a company, with negocios in the plural for business in general.
Meaning: a commercial activity or company (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| negocio | everyday |
| empresa | company |
| negocios | plural, trade |
Mexicans say tengo un negocio for a small shop or stand and una empresa grande for a big firm. A business trip is a viaje de negocios.
Which one should you use?
Negocio is a small personal activity and can also mean a deal, as in hicimos un buen negocio. Empresa is more formal and used for registered companies.
How does it change in a sentence?
Negocio is masculine and empresa is feminine, so you say el negocio and la empresa.
Did you know?
- The Spanish negocio comes from Latin nec otium, meaning "not leisure", which describes work.
Examples in context
- Mi papá tiene un negocio de abarrotes.My dad has a grocery business.
- Trabajo en una empresa de tecnología.I work at a technology company.
- Viajo por negocios.I travel on business.
Example conversation
Entrepreneur Alma talks about work with her friend Beto.
- Beto¿A qué se dedica tu negocio?What does your business do?
- AlmaVendemos pan artesanal.We sell artisan bread.
- BetoSuena muy bien.That sounds great.
