Office & Work in Spanish: The only guide you'll need

Ready to take your Spanish skills to the workplace? Whether you're preparing for a job in a Spanish-speaking country, collaborating with Spanish-speaking colleagues, or simply want to expand your professional vocabulary, this guide has everything you need!

We'll cover essential workplace vocabulary from job titles and office supplies to professional settings and common workplace verbs. Plus, we'll include helpful phrases, cultural insights, and fun activities to practice. Let's get started on your journey to professional Spanish fluency!

El Trabajo - Work

Job Titles - Títulos profesionales

Understanding job titles is essential for professional communication. Here are some of the most common positions you'll encounter in Spanish-speaking workplaces:

General Positions

• (the) accountant – (el/la) contable / contador(a)

• (the) administrative assistant – (el/la) asistente administrativo/a

• (the) CEO – (el/la) director(a) ejecutivo/a / CEO

• (the) consultant – (el/la) consultor(a)

• (the) customer service representative – (el/la) representante de servicio al cliente

• (the) designer – (el/la) diseñador(a)

• (the) engineer – (el/la) ingeniero/a

• (the) executive – (el/la) ejecutivo/a

• (the) human resources manager – (el/la) gerente de recursos humanos

• (the) intern – (el/la) becario/a / pasante

• (the) lawyer – (el/la) abogado/a

• (the) manager – (el/la) gerente / director(a)

• (the) marketing specialist – (el/la) especialista en marketing

• (the) programmer – (el/la) programador(a)

• (the) receptionist – (el/la) recepcionista

• (the) salesperson – (el/la) vendedor(a)

• (the) secretary – (el/la) secretario/a

• (the) supervisor – (el/la) supervisor(a)

• (the) technician – (el/la) técnico/a

• (the) translator – (el/la) traductor(a)

In Spanish, many job titles have both masculine and feminine forms. The article (el/la) and often the ending (-o/-a) change based on the person's gender. Some titles, like "gerente" or "recepcionista," remain the same regardless of gender, changing only the article.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, it's common to address colleagues by their professional title followed by their last name, especially in formal settings. For example, "Ingeniero Martínez" or "Licenciada García." This shows respect and professionalism in the workplace.

Office Supplies - Material de oficina

Every office needs supplies to function smoothly. Here's your essential vocabulary for navigating office supply closets and making supply requests:

• (the) binder – (la) carpeta de anillas

• (the) calculator – (la) calculadora

• (the) calendar – (el) calendario

• (the) clipboard – (la) tablilla con sujetapapeles

• (the) envelope – (el) sobre

• (the) eraser – (la) goma de borrar

• (the) file folder – (la) carpeta

• (the) highlighter – (el) marcador / resaltador

• (the) notebook – (el) cuaderno

• (the) paper – (el) papel

• (the) paper clip – (el) clip / sujetapapeles

• (the) pen – (el) bolígrafo / (la) pluma

• (the) pencil – (el) lápiz

• (the) post-it notes – (las) notas adhesivas

• (the) printer – (la) impresora

• (the) ruler – (la) regla

• (the) scissors – (las) tijeras

• (the) stapler – (la) grapadora / engrapadora

• (the) staples – (las) grapas

• (the) tape – (la) cinta adhesiva / (el) celo

• (the) trash can – (la) papelera / (el) basurero

• (the) whiteboard – (la) pizarra blanca

Office Equipment & Technology - Equipos y tecnología

Modern offices rely heavily on technology. Here's the vocabulary you need:

• (the) computer – (el) ordenador / (la) computadora

• (the) copier – (la) fotocopiadora

• (the) desk phone – (el) teléfono fijo

• (the) fax machine – (el) fax

• (the) keyboard – (el) teclado

• (the) laptop – (el) portátil / (la) laptop

• (the) monitor – (el) monitor / (la) pantalla

• (the) mouse – (el) ratón / (el) mouse

• (the) projector – (el) proyector

• (the) router – (el) enrutador / router

• (the) scanner – (el) escáner

• (the) server – (el) servidor

• (the) shredder – (la) trituradora de papel

• (the) tablet – (la) tableta

Computer vocabulary varies significantly between Spain and Latin America. In Spain, people say "ordenador" for computer, while in Latin America, "computadora" is more common. Similarly, "portátil" is used in Spain for laptop, while "laptop" is often used in Latin America.

Office Spaces - Espacios de oficina

Knowing how to navigate and describe different areas of the workplace is essential:

• (the) boardroom – (la) sala de juntas

• (the) break room – (la) sala de descanso

• (the) conference room – (la) sala de conferencias

• (the) cubicle – (el) cubículo

• (the) elevator – (el) ascensor / elevador

• (the) entrance – (la) entrada

• (the) lobby – (el) vestíbulo / (la) recepción

• (the) meeting room – (la) sala de reuniones

• (the) office – (la) oficina

• (the) parking lot – (el) estacionamiento / aparcamiento

• (the) reception – (la) recepción

• (the) restroom – (el) baño / (los) servicios

• (the) stairs – (las) escaleras

• (the) warehouse – (el) almacén / (la) bodega

• (the) workspace – (el) espacio de trabajo

Common Workplace Verbs - Verbos comunes del trabajo

These verbs will help you describe daily work activities and responsibilities:

• Attend (a meeting) – Asistir (a una reunión)

• Call – Llamar

• Collaborate – Colaborar

• Complete – Completar / Terminar

• Delegate – Delegar

• Email – Enviar un correo electrónico

• File – Archivar

• Finish – Terminar / Finalizar

• Hire – Contratar

• Lead – Liderar / Dirigir

• Manage – Gestionar / Administrar

• Organize – Organizar

• Present – Presentar

• Print – Imprimir

• Report – Reportar / Informar

• Review – Revisar

• Schedule – Programar / Agendar

• Sign – Firmar

• Submit – Entregar / Presentar

• Supervise – Supervisar

• Train – Capacitar / Entrenar

• Work – Trabajar

Example Sentences:

Tengo que asistir a una reunión importante esta tarde. (I have to attend an important meeting this afternoon.)

María va a presentar el proyecto al equipo mañana. (María is going to present the project to the team tomorrow.)

El gerente necesita revisar el informe antes del viernes. (The manager needs to review the report before Friday.)

Vamos a contratar a dos nuevos empleados este mes. (We're going to hire two new employees this month.)

Por favor, imprime diez copias del documento. (Please print ten copies of the document.)

Tenemos que organizar los archivos del año pasado. (We need to organize last year's files.)

El director delegó la tarea al supervisor. (The director delegated the task to the supervisor.)

Workplace Adjectives - Adjetivos del lugar de trabajo

Describe your work environment and projects with these useful adjectives:

• Busy – Ocupado/a

• Challenging – Desafiante

• Collaborative – Colaborativo/a

• Complicated – Complicado/a

• Creative – Creativo/a

• Demanding – Exigente

• Efficient – Eficiente

• Flexible – Flexible

• Organized – Organizado/a

• Productive – Productivo/a

• Professional – Profesional

• Punctual – Puntual

• Reliable – Confiable / Fiable

• Responsible – Responsable

• Rewarding – Gratificante

• Stressful – Estresante

• Successful – Exitoso/a

• Tedious – Tedioso/a

• Urgent – Urgente

Common Workplace Phrases - Frases comunes

Master these essential phrases for professional communication:

Greetings & Introductions:

• Buenos días, ¿cómo está? – Good morning, how are you?

• Mucho gusto en conocerle. – Nice to meet you. (formal)

• Permítame presentarme, soy... – Allow me to introduce myself, I'm...

Meetings:

• ¿Podemos programar una reunión? – Can we schedule a meeting?

• Tengo una pregunta sobre... – I have a question about...

• ¿Cuál es su opinión? – What's your opinion?

• Estoy de acuerdo. – I agree.

• Pasemos al siguiente punto. – Let's move to the next point.

Requests:

• ¿Me puede ayudar con...? – Can you help me with...?

• ¿Tendría un momento? – Would you have a moment?

• Necesito su aprobación para... – I need your approval for...

Time Management:

• La fecha límite es el viernes. – The deadline is Friday.

• ¿Cuándo lo necesita? – When do you need it?

• Lo terminaré para mañana. – I'll finish it by tomorrow.

Email Phrases:

• Adjunto el documento. – I'm attaching the document.

• Quedo a la espera de su respuesta. – I await your response.

• Saludos cordiales – Best regards

In Spanish business culture, especially in Spain and Latin America, building personal relationships is often just as important as the business itself. It's common to spend time on small talk before diving into business matters. Don't be surprised if a meeting starts with questions about family or weekend plans!

Work Schedules & Time - Horarios y tiempo

• (the) business hours – (el) horario de oficina / horario comercial

• (the) deadline – (la) fecha límite / (el) plazo

• (the) full-time – (a) tiempo completo

• (the) meeting – (la) reunión / (la) junta

• (the) overtime – (las) horas extras

• (the) part-time – (a) medio tiempo / tiempo parcial

• (the) schedule – (el) horario

• (the) shift – (el) turno

• (the) workday – (la) jornada laboral

• (the) workweek – (la) semana laboral

Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we've explored essential Spanish vocabulary for the workplace, covering everything from job titles and office supplies to professional verbs and useful phrases. Whether you're preparing for a new job, collaborating with Spanish-speaking colleagues, or simply expanding your professional vocabulary, these terms will help you communicate confidently in any work environment.

Remember that workplace culture and vocabulary can vary between Spanish-speaking countries, so don't hesitate to ask colleagues about local preferences and customs. Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises!

Quiz

1. Vocabulario de oficina. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Spanish word from the options provided.

1. Necesito una _________ para organizar todos estos documentos. (grapadora, carpeta, tijeras)

2. El _________ de la empresa está en el último piso. (gerente, becario, vendedor)

3. ¿Puedes _________ diez copias de este informe? (firmar, imprimir, archivar)

4. La reunión es en la _________ a las 3 de la tarde. (papelera, recepción, sala de juntas)

5. Tengo que _________ a una conferencia importante el próximo martes. (delegar, asistir, contratar)

Answer key:

1. Carpeta

2. Gerente

3. Imprimir

4. Sala de juntas

5. Asistir

2. Títulos profesionales. Match the Spanish job titles (1-5) with their correct English translation (a-e).

1. Contador(a)

2. Abogado/a

3. Diseñador(a)

4. Consultor(a)

5. Recepcionista

A. Designer B. Receptionist C. Accountant D. Consultant E. Lawyer

Answer key:

1. C

2. E

3. A

4. D

5. B

3. Adjetivos y frases. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate adjectives from the ones provided below.

urgente / productivo / ocupada / profesional / organizado

1. El equipo tuvo un día muy _________ y completó todos los proyectos.

2. Este asunto es _________, necesitamos resolverlo hoy mismo.

3. María está muy _________ esta semana con varias reuniones importantes.

4. Siempre mantiene una actitud _________ en el trabajo.

5. Es muy _________ y nunca pierde ningún documento.

Answer key:

1. Productivo

2. Urgente

3. Ocupada

4. Profesional

5. Organizado