Spanish Word of the Day: Negocio (business)

Negocio, meaning business in English, is a Spanish word that comes from the Latin word negotium. The neg- part of the word is a negation and otium means absence of leisure or business. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to any business or commercial activity. 

Negocio is a masculine noun and it takes the following definite and indefinite articles:

• el negocio = the business
• los negocios = the businesses
• un negocio = a business
• unos negocios = some businesses

The word negocio can be used in various contexts surrounding business. For example, it can be used when talking about trade, a business, a deal or transaction, an enterprise or company, a commercial activity, or a personal endeavor. 

When talking about a physical negocio or comercio (business or trade) it can be used in the following ways: 

• Mi padre tiene un negocio de lavado de autos. = My father has a car-wash business. 
• Yo trabajo en nuestro negocio familiar. = I work in our family-owned business. 

The word negocio can also be used to talk about a trato (deal) or transacción (transaction). When used in this form, the word’s English translation changes slightly to mean deal instead of business. Some examples of how it can be used are: 

• La compra de la casa fue un buen negocio. = The house purchase was a good business deal. 
• Hicimos un buen negocio con la venta de las acciones. = We made a good deal with the sale of the shares.

Negocio is also used when talking about a business as a form of an empresa (enterprise) or a set-up compañía (company). Some examples are:  

• Mi hermana tiene una compañía grande. = My sister has a large business.
• Ella está buscando trabajadores para su nuevo negocio. = She is looking for employees for her new business.

You can also talk about business as an esfuerzo personal (personal endeavour or enterprise). You see the word negocio used in this context when talking about projects. 

• Este proyecto es un negocio personal para mí. = This project is a personal endeavour for me.
• La tecnología es el negocio humano que cambia más rápidamente. = Technology is the fastest-changing human enterprise.

Below are some common phrases that include the word negocio:

• negocio familiar = family-owned business
• negocio propio = one’s own business
• negocio en auge = a booming or growing business
• negocio de confianza = a trustworthy or reliable business
• negocio lucrativo = a profitable business
• negocio sucio = dirty business

Spanish metaphors and phrases featuring ‘negocio‘

The word negocio is used in idiomatic expressions and metaphors that reflect the nature of business deals. Below are a few Spanish phrases used in business. 

Negocio sucio is a common phrase and it means dirty business. It refers to a shady or dishonest business deal. For example, you could say, Ese trato huele a negocio sucio. (That deal smells like dirty business.)

Negocio redondo, translating to round business in English, refers to a very good or profitable business deal. An example sentence is, La compra del edificio fue un negocio redondo. (The purchase of the building was a great deal.)

Another common phrase in business is, No es negocio. This literally translates to It’s not a business but actually means It’s not worth it or not a good deal. An example sentence is, Invertir en ese proyecto no es negocio. (Investing in that project is not worth it.)

Spanish idioms featuring ‘negocio‘