As the second most-widely spoken language in the world, the second most spoken language in the US, and the language that is spoken in some of the worlds’ most upcoming economies, Spanish is a savvy language to learn for anyone who wants to get ahead in the office!
You’ll be sure to impress colleagues and make new business connections once you know your way around the office in Spanish as well as your own language. Luckily for you, AIL Malaga Spanish Language School has gathered the office essentials for you here today! Learn how to talk about tasks, ask favours, identify colleagues and more with our must-know Spanish vocabulary.
Want to prepare yourself fully for a business experience in Spain? Our Business Spanish Course is perfect for you!
El personal – The staff
The people who work in the office are the most important part – it wouldn’t be an office without any staff! Learn who’s who in the business workplace:
El jefe / la jefa– Boss
El director general / la directora general – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Los empleado – Employees
Los compañeros – Colleagues
La junta directiva – Board of directors
El cliente –Client
Contable – Accountant
Oficinista – Office worker
Abogado/a– Lawyer
Secretario/a –Secretary
Recepcionista – Receptionist
Atención al cliente – Customer service
Limpiador/a –Cleaner
Técnico informatico – IT technician
Vendedor – Sales person
En el escritorio – At the desk
Most office workers will spend the majority of their time at their desk, so naturally it’s an important part of the office! Let these useful terms help you get your work done in Spanish:
El escritorio – Desk
El ordenador – Computer
El teclado – Keyboard
El ratón – Mouse
El material de oficina – Office supplies
La carpeta – Folder
La agenda – Diary
El informe –Report
El documento – Document
La factura –Invoice
La grapadora – Stapler
El bolígrafo – Pen
El lápiz –Pencil
El teléfono – Telephone
La taza – Mug
Las instalaciones – Facilities
It goes without saying that it’s important to know your way around the building where you work! Let’s learn some vocabulary about the office facilites:
El departamento – Department
El despacho – Office (of someone)
La sala de juntas –Meeting room
La fotocopiadora – Photocopier
La impresora –Printer
El archivador – Filing cabinet
El recibidor – Lobby
El comedor / la cafetería –Canteen
La fuente de agua fría –Water cooler
La máquina de café– Coffee machine
La máquina expendedora – Vending machine
Office Verbs – Los Verbos de la Oficina
Most Spanish beginners will be familiar with the verb ‘trabajar’ – but there’s lots of different kinds of work to do in an office! Let’s get more specific about the tasks you’ll see people doing:
Trabajar –To work
Currar – To work (colloquial)
Asistir a una reunión – To attend a meeting
Coordinar – To coordinate
Gestionar – To manage
Colaborar –To collaborate
Evaluar –To evaluate
Redactar – To write up
Dar un presupuesto – To give a quote
Teclear – To type
Imprimir – To print
Telefonear – To telephone
Contestar el teléfono – To answer the phone
Hacer el trabajo de oficina – To do paperwork
Enviar un correo (electrónico) – To send an email
Frases útiles – Useful phrases
Feeling ready for your Spanish office experience? We think you’re almost there – you know the vocabulary, so now let’s learn some handy phrases that you can keep up your (office shirt) sleeves! Who can say no to a work request made in perfect Spanish?
Tengo una cita con…– I have an appointment with…
Me pongo a ello ahora – I’ll get on to it right now
¿Me lo podrías explicar, por favor? – Could you explain that to me, please?
Estoy en ello – I’m doing it /I’m on it
Estoy un poco liado en este momento – I’m a bit tied up at the moment
Estoy enfermo y no podré venir hoy – I am ill and I won’t be able to come in today
¿Podríamos llegar a un acuerdo? – Could we reach an agreement?
Si necesitas ayuda, pídatela a… – If you need help, ask…
¿Me puedes ayudar con…? – Can you help me with…?
¿Me puedes dejar …? – Can you lend me…?
¿Cuándo es la fecha límite del proyecto? – When is the project deadline?
We hope you enjoyed learning this Spanish vocabulary for the office! Want to learn more? Why not take a look at our Spanish vocabulary for the classroom – and we hope to see you in the AIL Malaga Spanish Language School classroom very soon!
With our large range of Spanish courses, all in small groups in a prime location by the sea, you are guaranteed real progress in your Spanish and the time of your life!
