100 Business Spanish Words & Phrases You Need To Know (With Examples)
Although Spanish isn’t the main language for business around the world, it’s still one of the most important languages for business purposes.
If you learn business Spanish vocabulary, you’ll have a great advantage both within Europe and on a global scale. Many of the biggest multinational companies have operations in the Americas and have their business interest in Spanish-speaking countries.
Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) made a video on how you can survive your business meetings in Spanish:
Now, let’s explore some real-life examples that you can run into when you’re serious about your job.
1. Spanish vocabulary for business meetings
Everyone does meetings. Sometimes, they are boring, sometimes, they are necessary. Nevertheless, it’s good to have a template by your side when you’re in Spanish business meetings.
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reunión | Meeting | Tenemos una reunión con el cliente a las 10:00. (We have a meeting with the client at 10:00.) |
| Informe | Report | Necesito preparar el informe para la reunión de mañana. (I need to prepare the report for tomorrow’s meeting.) |
| Propuesta | Proposal | Presentaremos la propuesta de marketing durante la reunión. (We will present the marketing proposal during the meeting.) |
| Contrato | Contract | Vamos a discutir los términos del contrato en la próxima reunión. (We are going to discuss the contract terms in the next meeting.) |
| Negociación | Negotiation | La negociación con los proveedores será difícil. (The negotiation with the suppliers will be difficult.) |
| Planificación estratégica | Strategic Planning | Necesitamos más tiempo para la planificación estratégica. (We need more time for strategic planning.) |
| Informe financiero | Financial Report | El informe financiero estará listo para la reunión. (The financial report will be ready for the meeting.) |
| Asunto | Topic/Issue | El primer asunto en la agenda es crucial. (The first topic on the agenda is crucial.) |
| Toma de decisiones | Decision Making | La toma de decisiones debe ser rápida y efectiva. (Decision-making must be quick and effective.) |
| Resultados | Results | Discutiremos los resultados del último trimestre. (We will discuss the results of the last quarter.) |
2. Business Spanish for emails and correspondence
After these live meetings, you might have to write some emails. Here’s the most important vocabulary you need for these situations:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Correo electrónico | Enviaré el correo electrónico esta tarde. (I will send the email this afternoon.) | |
| Asunto | Subject | El asunto del correo electrónico es “Reunión de seguimiento”. (The subject of the email is “Follow-up Meeting”.) |
| Adjunto | Attachment | He incluido el informe como archivo adjunto. (I have included the report as an attachment.) |
| Estimado/a | Dear (formal) | Estimado Sr. López, adjunto encontrará el documento solicitado. (Dear Mr. López, attached you will find the requested document.) |
| Atentamente | Sincerely | Atentamente, Juan Pérez. (Sincerely, Juan Pérez.) |
| Confirmación | Confirmation | Necesito la confirmación de asistencia a la reunión. (I need the confirmation of attendance for the meeting.) |
| Responder | Reply | Por favor, responda a este correo lo antes posible. (Please reply to this email as soon as possible.) |
| Notificación | Notification | Recibí una notificación de la reunión. (I received a notification about the meeting.) |
| Mencionado | Mentioned | Como se mencionó en el correo anterior… (As mentioned in the previous email…) |
| Pendiente | Pending | Quedan asuntos pendientes por resolver. (There are pending issues to be resolved.) |
3. Improve your business presentations in Spanish
Giving presentations is always stressful – to some, only a little bit, to some, it’s a life and death event. Don’t worry, you’ve got this.
And here are some examples you can use in these cases:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Presentación | Presentation | La presentación comenzará a las 9:00. (The presentation will start at 9:00.) |
| Diapositiva | Slide | La siguiente diapositiva muestra los resultados del estudio. (The next slide shows the study’s results.) |
| Audiencia | Audience | La audiencia estará compuesta por inversores. (The audience will be composed of investors.) |
| Introducción | Introduction | La introducción debe captar la atención del público. (The introduction should capture the audience’s attention.) |
| Conclusión | Conclusion | En conclusión, necesitamos más datos. (In conclusion, we need more data.) |
| Gráfica | Chart/Graph | La gráfica muestra el crecimiento anual. (The chart shows the annual growth.) |
| Tema | Topic | El tema de la presentación es la innovación tecnológica. (The topic of the presentation is technological innovation.) |
| Demostración | Demonstration | Habrá una demostración del nuevo producto. (There will be a demonstration of the new product.) |
| Cuestiones | Questions | Al final, abriremos el espacio para cuestiones. (At the end, we will open the floor for questions.) |
| Materiales | Materials | Todos los materiales estarán disponibles en línea. (All materials will be available online.) |
4. Business Spanish vocabulary for phone and video conferences
What if it’s not a live meeting, not an email conversation and not even a presentation?
Nowadays, Zoom and Google Meet conferences are everyday occasions. It’s good to have this vocabulary up your sleeve:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Llamada | Call | Tengo una llamada con el director a las 11:00. (I have a call with the director at 11:00.) |
| Videoconferencia | Video Conference | La videoconferencia está programada para mañana. (The video conference is scheduled for tomorrow.) |
| Conexión | Connection | La conexión a internet debe ser estable. (The internet connection must be stable.) |
| Participante | Participant | Habrá 15 participantes en la videoconferencia. (There will be 15 participants in the video conference.) |
| Enlace | Link | Por favor, envíe el enlace de la reunión. (Please send the meeting link.) |
| Micrófono | Microphone | Asegúrate de que el micrófono esté encendido. (Make sure the microphone is on.) |
| Cámara | Camera | Activa tu cámara durante la llamada. (Turn on your camera during the call.) |
| Agenda | Agenda | La agenda de la videoconferencia será enviada previamente. (The video conference agenda will be sent beforehand.) |
| Grabación | Recording | La grabación de la llamada estará disponible. (The call recording will be available.) |
| Compartir pantalla | Screen Sharing | Utilizaremos la función de compartir pantalla. (We will use the screen sharing feature.) |
5. Improve your business Spanish negotiations
Maybe your negotiating with a business partner or with your employer for a better salary. Now’s a good idea to go over the terms and conditions:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negociación | Negotiation | La negociación comenzará a las 9:00. (The negotiation will start at 9:00.) |
| Términos | Terms | Discutiremos los términos del acuerdo. (We will discuss the terms of the agreement.) |
| Ofrecer | Offer | Vamos a ofrecer una propuesta competitiva. (We will make a competitive offer.) |
| Contrapropuesta | Counteroffer | Estamos esperando una contrapropuesta. (We are waiting for a counteroffer.) |
| Acuerdo | Agreement | Finalmente, llegamos a un acuerdo. (Finally, we reached an agreement.) |
| Condiciones | Conditions | Las condiciones deben ser claras para ambas partes. (The conditions must be clear for both parties.) |
| Concesión | Concession | Haremos una concesión en este punto. (We will make a concession on this point.) |
| Intransigencia | Inflexibility | La intransigencia no ayudará en la negociación. (Inflexibility will not help in the negotiation.) |
| Plazo | Deadline | El plazo para llegar a un acuerdo es el viernes. (The deadline to reach an agreement is Friday.) |
| Compromiso | Commitment | Necesitamos un compromiso firme de su parte. (We need a firm commitment from your side.) |
6. Business vocabulary in Spanish for networking events
Getting to know new people is a great opportunity at networking events. Bring your business cards and practice Spanish conversations!
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Evento | Event | El evento de networking será en el hotel. (The networking event will be at the hotel.) |
| Contacto | Contact | Intercambiamos contactos durante el evento. (We exchanged contacts during the event.) |
| Tarjeta de presentación | Business Card | No olvides llevar tus tarjetas de presentación. (Don’t forget to bring your business cards.) |
| Conferencia | Conference | La conferencia comienza a las 9:00. (The conference starts at 9:00.) |
| Ponente | Speaker | El ponente principal es un experto en marketing. (The main speaker is a marketing expert.) |
| Sesión de preguntas | Q&A Session | Habrá una sesión de preguntas al final. (There will be a Q&A session at the end.) |
| Red de contactos | Network | Es importante ampliar nuestra red de contactos. (It’s important to expand our network.) |
| Seminario | Seminar | El seminario tratará sobre estrategias de negocio. (The seminar will cover business strategies.) |
| Invitación | Invitation | Recibí una invitación para el evento. (I received an invitation for the event.) |
| Taller | Workshop | Participaré en el taller de liderazgo. (I will participate in the leadership workshop.) |
7. Key Spanish vocabulary for HR
Human resources is often the first meeting point between you and your future boss. This is the time when you talk about your training, evaluation and work policies.
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Entrevista | Interview | La entrevista de trabajo será el lunes. (The job interview will be on Monday.) |
| Currículum | Resume | Por favor, envíe su currículum actualizado. (Please send your updated resume.) |
| Revisión de desempeño | Performance Review | La revisión de desempeño será trimestral. (The performance review will be quarterly.) |
| Beneficios | Benefits | Los beneficios incluyen seguro médico. (The benefits include health insurance.) |
| Capacitación | Training | Necesitamos más capacitación en el software nuevo. (We need more training on the new software.) |
| Evaluación | Evaluation | La evaluación de desempeño es anual. (The performance evaluation is annual.) |
| Política | Policy | La nueva política de la empresa será implementada el próximo mes. (The new company policy will be implemented next month.) |
| Empleado | Employee | Cada empleado debe completar el formulario. (Every employee must complete the form.) |
| Contratación | Hiring | Estamos en proceso de contratación. (We are in the process of hiring.) |
| Renuncia | Resignation | Recibimos la renuncia de Juan. (We received Juan’s resignation.) |
8. The correct business language for finances in Spanish
Talking about budget and invoices? The best Spanish vocabulary for finances is here at your fingertips:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transacción | Transaction | La transacción se completó con éxito. (The transaction was completed successfully.) |
| Presupuesto | Budget | El presupuesto para el próximo año ya está aprobado. (The budget for next year is already approved.) |
| Factura | Invoice | Necesitamos la factura del proveedor. (We need the supplier’s invoice.) |
| Pago | Payment | El pago se realizará la próxima semana. (The payment will be made next week.) |
| Cuenta | Account | La cuenta bancaria de la empresa es confidencial. (The company’s bank account is confidential.) |
| Aprobar | Approve | Necesitamos aprobar los gastos antes de proceder. (We need to approve the expenses before proceeding.) |
| Estado financiero | Financial Statement | El estado financiero será revisado en la reunión. (The financial statement will be reviewed in the meeting.) |
| Ingresos | Revenue | Los ingresos han aumentado este trimestre. (The revenue has increased this quarter.) |
| Egresos | Expenditures | Los egresos deben ser controlados. (Expenditures must be controlled.) |
| Balance | Balance Sheet | El balance es positivo este año. (The balance sheet is positive this year.) |
9. Professional vocabulary for marketing and sales in Spanish
Is there anything more important than marketing and sales today? It’s where you sell yourself – and your products. Time to check these important Spanish sentences.
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Promoción | Promotion | Lanzaremos una nueva promoción la próxima semana. (We will launch a new promotion next week.) |
| Campaña | Campaign | La campaña de marketing ha sido un éxito. (The marketing campaign has been a success.) |
| Estrategia | Strategy | Necesitamos una nueva estrategia de ventas. (We need a new sales strategy.) |
| Cliente | Client/Customer | El cliente está muy satisfecho con el servicio. (The client is very satisfied with the service.) |
| Mercado | Market | El mercado está en constante cambio. (The market is constantly changing.) |
| Competencia | Competition | La competencia es feroz en este sector. (The competition is fierce in this sector.) |
| Análisis | Analysis | Realizamos un análisis de mercado detallado. (We conducted a detailed market analysis.) |
| Ofrecer | Offer | Vamos a ofrecer un descuento especial. (We will offer a special discount.) |
| Ventas | Sales | Las ventas han aumentado este mes. (Sales have increased this month.) |
| Publicidad | Advertising | Invertiremos más en publicidad digital. (We will invest more in digital advertising.) |
10. Spanish project management vocabulary
Project management is valuable both for you and for your team. Whether your talking about team members and important timelines, this is your table:
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Proyecto | Project | El proyecto estará terminado en tres meses. (The project will be finished in three months.) |
| Miembro del equipo | Team Member | Cada miembro del equipo tiene una tarea específica. (Each team member has a specific task.) |
| Meta | Goal | La meta del proyecto es reducir costos. (The goal of the project is to reduce costs.) |
| Línea de tiempo | Timeline | La línea de tiempo del proyecto debe ser seguida. (The project timeline must be followed.) |
| Informe de progreso | Progress Report | El informe de progreso será presentado el lunes. (The progress report will be presented on Monday.) |
| Presupuesto | Budget | El presupuesto del proyecto debe ser aprobado. (The project’s budget must be approved.) |
| Plazo | Deadline | El plazo de entrega es inamovible. (The deadline is non-negotiable.) |
| Responsabilidad | Responsibility | Cada miembro del equipo tiene su responsabilidad. (Each team member has their responsibility.) |
| Reunión de actualización | Update Meeting | La reunión de actualización será semanal. (The update meeting will be weekly.) |
| Recursos | Resources | Necesitamos más recursos para cumplir con el plazo. (We need more resources to meet the deadline.) |
Practice worksheet for business Spanish
Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases for business Spanish!
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The best strategy to learn business Spanish: Conversation Based Chunking
There’s two ways you can learn Spanish: the regular one with memorizing word lists and boring grammar rules; and then there’s Conversation Based Chunking.
This method is all about focusing on the natural lexical chunks that native speakers use all the time. They don’t even realize it but they’re actively learning and forming the language with the help of these chunks.
You can do this too if you sign up now and request your first Spanish Chunking Starter Pack: in this pack, you’ll get an essential chunking list, my favourite resources to learn Spanish and practice exercises.
