Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| empresario | /empɾeˈsaɾjo/ | masculine |
| hombre de negocios | /ˌombɾe de neˈɡoθjos/ /ˌombɾe de neˈɡosjos/ |
masculine |
| negociante | /neɡoˈθjante/ /neɡoˈsjante/ |
feminine, masculine |
The term hombre de negocios is a common way to say 'businessman'. The word empresario is used to describe a businessman with an entrepreneurial connotation, whereas negociante refers to someone involved in the physical trade or exchange of goods. Additionally, comerciante can be used for a businessman involved in commercial activities.
Which one should you use?
While hombre de negocios refers to a man who conducts business, empresario specifically implies an entrepreneur or someone who owns and manages a company. In contrast, negociante often carries a connotation of a trader or merchant involved in the exchange of goods rather than high-level corporate management.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, hombre de negocios is a commonly used term for businessman.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female businessman, use the feminine form empresaria.
How do you pronounce it?
/empɾeˈsaɾjo/
Did you know?
- The word negociante stems from a Latin concept where 'business' was defined by the absence of 'leisure' or 'free time'.
- The Spanish word empresa used in empresario can mean both a 'company' and a 'difficult undertaking' or 'feat'.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, negociante can carry a slightly negative nuance, suggesting someone who is overly opportunistic or a 'wheeler-dealer'.
Examples in context
- Mi padre es un hombre de negocios.My father is a businessman.This sentence shows how to identify someone's profession using hombre de negocios.Tatoeba #528301 by Shishir, translation #319045 by CK
- Tom es un sagaz hombre de negocios.Tom is a shrewd businessman.This sentence uses hombre de negocios to describe a specific personality trait.Tatoeba #6071140 by albrusgher, translation #3504091 by CK
- ¿Qué eres, un hombre de negocios o un profesor?What are you, a businessman or a professor?This sentence uses hombre de negocios in a question to compare two professions.Tatoeba #2070512 by Shishir, translation #9870376 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi padre es un hombre de negocios exitoso.My father is a successful businessman.
- El empresario fundó una compañía de tecnología.The businessman founded a technology company.
- El comerciante es dueño de una cadena de tiendas.The businessman owns a chain of stores.
- Juan es un empresario exitoso en el sector financiero.Juan is a successful businessman in the finance sector.
- Ese tiburón de los negocios siempre encuentra una manera de cerrar un trato.That business shark always finds a way to close a deal.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about a new client at a cafe.
- Javier¿Conoces al nuevo empresario?Do you know the new businessman?
- LucíaSí, Javier, es muy amable.Yes, Javier, he is very kind.
- JavierMe alegra que te caiga bien.I'm glad you like him.
- LucíaÉl parece un hombre de gran visión.He seems like a man of great vision.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “businessman” translations and entries empresario, hombre de negocios, negociante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, empresario, hombre, negociante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
