Spanish is one of the major languages in today’s business world. The power to communicate in this language can be a very valuable asset to anyone considering a career in business. Moreover, being acquainted with specific terms used in business Spanish can open many doors.
A Popular Language
Spanish is rapidly becoming more widely used, both professionally and economically. This article aims at extending your knowledge of
Spanish business phrases by providing some essential vocabulary of terms used in business in general, on the telephone and in business correspondence. Spanish and English share many cognates, so I have not included many words which can be easily guessed. I have tried to concentrate on those which, while they may still be easily recognizable, have a slight twist to their meaning.
General Terms
el apoyo técnico - technical support
el asociado - associate
el consultor - consultant
los contratos - contracts
redactar un contrato - to draw up a contract
el gerente - manager
los materiales - supplies
las relaciones públicas - public relations
el seminario - seminar
la solicitude - application
Kinds of Business
el comercio - commerce
la compañía - company
la firma - firm
la franquicia - franchise
los seguros mutuos - mutual
el subsidiario - subsidiary
el conglomerado - conglomerate
Types of Products and Services
la contabilidad - accounting
la banca - banking
la consultoría - consulting
la exportación - exporting
la importación - importing
el mercadeo - marketing
The Telephone
El extensión - extensión
Diga - Hello
Con quién hablo -To whom am I speaking
De parte de quién - Who’s speaking (calling)?
No cuelgue por favor - Hold the line please
Puede volver a llamar más tarde? - Could you call back later?
Le volvere a llamar - I will call back
Se ha cortado - We were cut off
No consigo hablar - I can’t get through
Ahora se pone - He/She is coming
Está comunicando - It (the line ) is busy
Quiere dejar algún recado? - Would you like to leave a message?
Se ha equivocado de número - You’ve got the wrong number
Esta es el contestador automático - This is the answering machine
Por favor, deje su mensaje después de oír la señal – Please leave your message after the beep (tone)
Correspondence
Muy señor mío - Dear Sir
Muy señores míos - Dear Sirs
Muy señora mía - Dear Madam
Le(s) saluda(n) atentamente - Yours faithfully
Acusamos recibo de - We acknowledge receipt of
Con referencia a - With reference to
Con relación a su carta del 5 de agosto… - Further to your letter of August 5…
Con relación a nuestra conversación telefónica - Further to our telephone conversation
Le adjunta…/Le adjuntamos - Please find enclosed
References
- Transparent Language. Phone Calls in Spanish
- Enforex.com. Business Spanish Vocabulary
