What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sin fines de lucro literally translates to without ends of profit.
Which one should you use?
To express a "for-profit organization", replace sin (without) with con (with) to say organización con fines de lucro.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal tone, you can use Organización sin ánimo de lucro or Institución benéfica, the latter of which emphasizes the charitable aspect. For legal and formal contexts, entidad sin ánimo de lucro is a common alternative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, a recognized alternative is entidad sin fines de lucro. In Spain, you may use entidad sin ánimo de lucro or asociación sin ánimo de lucro.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, change organización to organizaciones and fin to fines, resulting in organizaciones sin fines de lucro.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾɡaniθaθjon sin fines de lukɾo/
Did you know?
- The term ánimo in the phrase sin ánimo de lucro does not mean 'mood' or 'spirit' in this context, but rather 'intention' or 'aim'.
- The word lucro is a cognate of the English word 'lucre'. While 'lucre' often implies money gained dishonestly in English, lucro remains a neutral legal term for 'profit' in Spanish.
- Using institución benéfica specifically signals a charitable nature. An organización sin fines de lucro may be a professional association or a trade group that does not seek profit but is not necessarily a charity.
Examples in context
- La Fundación para el Desarrollo Comunitario es una organización sin ánimo de lucro.The Community Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization.
- Los jóvenes crearon una organización sin fines de lucro para ayudar a los ancianos del vecindario.The youth created a nonprofit organization to help the elderly in the neighborhood.
- Ella trabaja en una organización sin fines de lucro.She works at a nonprofit organization.
- Esta organización sin fines de lucro ayuda a los niños.This nonprofit organization helps children.
- Buscamos fondos para nuestra organización sin fines de lucro.We are looking for funds for our nonprofit organization.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a potential job opportunity.
- Alejandro¿Es una empresa privada o una organización sin fines de lucro?Is it a private company or a nonprofit organization?
- LucíaEs una organización sin fines de lucro muy importante.It is a very important nonprofit organization.
- AlejandroEso suena muy bien para tu carrera.That sounds very good for your career.
- LucíaSí, estoy muy emocionada por el proyecto.Yes, I am very excited about the project.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lucro, organización, sin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
