Vocabulary
Business Spanish, Vocabulary for Real Work
Business Spanish isn't a separate language, it's a register. It's more formal, more careful with pronouns (usted matters again), and richer in fixed expressions than everyday Spanish.
This guide gives you the vocabulary and phrases you need to sound professional in meetings, emails, negotiations and networking.
Core workplace vocabulary
- la empresa, the company
- el/la jefe/a, the boss
- el equipo, the team
- el/la colega, the colleague
- el/la cliente, the client
- el/la proveedor/a, the supplier
- el proyecto, the project
- el plazo, the deadline
- la reunión, the meeting
- la propuesta, the proposal
- el presupuesto, the budget
- la factura, the invoice
Introducing yourself professionally
- Encantado de conocerle. / Encantada de conocerla., Pleased to meet you (formal).
- Trabajo como… en…, I work as… at…
- Me dedico a…, I work in… / I'm in…
- Llevo cinco años en el sector., I've been in the industry for five years.
- Nos conocimos en la conferencia de…, We met at the … conference.
In a meeting
- Empecemos., Let's begin.
- ¿Podemos ir al primer punto del orden del día?, Can we go to the first item on the agenda?
- Si me permite, me gustaría añadir algo., If I may, I'd like to add something.
- Estoy de acuerdo con lo que dice., I agree with what you're saying.
- Con todo respeto, no estoy del todo de acuerdo., With all due respect, I don't fully agree.
- Quiero volver sobre este tema., I'd like to come back to this topic.
- Resumiendo…, To summarize…
- ¿Podemos concretar los próximos pasos?, Can we define the next steps?
Emails and formal messages
- Estimado/a Sr./Sra. Apellido:, Dear Mr./Ms. Surname,
- Me pongo en contacto con usted para…, I'm writing to you to…
- Le adjunto el documento solicitado., I'm attaching the requested document.
- Agradecería su respuesta lo antes posible., I'd appreciate your reply as soon as possible.
- Quedo a la espera de sus comentarios., I look forward to your feedback.
- Un cordial saludo,, Best regards,
- Atentamente,, Yours sincerely,
Negotiation phrases
- ¿Cuál es su presupuesto?, What's your budget?
- Podemos negociar., We can negotiate.
- Nos gustaría llegar a un acuerdo., We'd like to reach an agreement.
- ¿Sería posible reducir el precio?, Would it be possible to reduce the price?
- Le hago una contraoferta., I'll make you a counteroffer.
- En principio, nos parece razonable., In principle, it looks reasonable to us.
- Necesitamos consultarlo internamente., We need to check internally.
Presentations
- Hoy me gustaría hablarles de…, Today I'd like to talk to you about…
- Como pueden ver en la diapositiva…, As you can see on the slide…
- Los datos muestran que…, The data shows that…
- En primer lugar / en segundo lugar / por último, Firstly / secondly / finally.
- Cabe destacar que…, It's worth highlighting that…
- Para concluir…, To conclude…
- ¿Alguna pregunta?, Any questions?
Small talk at work events
- ¿A qué se dedica exactamente?, What do you do exactly?
- ¿En qué está trabajando ahora?, What are you working on now?
- ¿Es la primera vez que asiste a este evento?, Is this your first time at this event?
- ¿Le importa si le paso mi tarjeta?, Do you mind if I give you my card?
- Nos mantenemos en contacto., Let's stay in touch.
Regional differences to be aware of
Spain uses vosotros in group emails and meetings; Latin America uses ustedes for both formal and informal plural. Terms like 'computador' (Colombia/Chile), 'computadora' (Mexico) and 'ordenador' (Spain) all mean 'computer'. When in doubt, mirror the vocabulary your counterpart uses.
Frequently asked questions
How formal should my business Spanish be?
Start formal (usted, complete sentences), then let your counterpart set the register.
Do I need C1 to work in Spanish?
For internal collaboration, strong B2 is usually enough. For client-facing or leadership roles, aim for C1.
Is business Spanish very different from everyday Spanish?
Not grammatically, just more formal register, more fixed phrases, and more precise vocabulary.
What's the best way to practice business Spanish?
Read one Spanish-language industry article per day and shadow professional podcasts in your field.