empresa
/emˈpɾesa/
The Spanish word for company is empresa.
Empresa refers to any business, without respect to incorporation.
Meaning: in non-legal context, any business, without respect to incorporation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While empresa is the standard term for a business entity, compañía is a synonym that is often used in more formal or traditional contexts or when referring to a group of people (like a theater company).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, firma can be used to refer to a company, particularly in a legal context. In Mexico, negocio is a popular term for referring to a company, especially in informal settings. In Argentina, the slang expression laburo might be used to refer to a company or job. Additionally, in Mexico, the slang term chamba might be used colloquially to mean job or workplace.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of empresa is empresas.
How do you pronounce it?
/emˈpɾesa/
Did you know?
- The word empresa can mean a 'company' or a 'difficult task' and 'adventure'. In a literary context, it describes a daring feat or a bold quest.
- The Spanish empresa shares an etymological root with the English verb 'apprehend', as both trace back to the idea of 'seizing' or 'grasping' something.
- The word firma, which means 'signature' in English, is frequently used in Spanish to refer to a professional business or a commercial firm.
Examples in context
- Ha quebrado la empresa.The company has gone bankrupt.This sentence is useful for describing a company going bankrupt using empresa.Tatoeba #2268065 by cueyayotl, translation #9737593 by 6dDcHYgMAg
- Ella decidió dejar la empresa.She decided to leave the company.This sentence is useful for describing a person leaving a company using empresa.Tatoeba #3194504 by Shishir, translation #10113914 by DJ_Saidez
- La empresa está en bancarrota.The company went bankrupt.This sentence is useful for stating that a company is in bankruptcy using empresa.Tatoeba #6884177 by HAYACH, translation #49044 by Scott
- La empresa es líder en su sectorThe company is a leader in its sector
- La compañía ha experimentado un crecimiento significativoThe company has experienced significant growth
- Es una sociedad de responsabilidad limitadaIt is a limited liability company
- Tengo un negocio propioI have my own business
- ¿Has oído hablar de esa empresa de tecnología?Have you heard of that technology company?
- Mi hermana trabaja en una empresa multinacionalMy sister works for a multinational company
- Llevo mi coche al taller de mi compañía de segurosI'm taking my car to the workshop of my insurance company
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing their job search.
- ElenaBusco trabajo en una empresa pequeña.I am looking for a job at a small company.
- MateoMi empresa está contratando gente ahora.My company is hiring people now.
- Elena¿De qué es tu empresa, Mateo?What kind of company is yours, Mateo?
- MateoEs una empresa de tecnología.It is a technology company.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry empresa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries empresa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
