A top business Spanish guide to culture, etiquette, words & more

If you want to talk business, what better way to do it than in Spanish?

If you’re serious about succeeding professionally, then being able to communicate in Spanish could be a secret weapon for you. In fact, Spanish is one of the top five languages for business, with over 500 million speakers all over the world. Doing business in Spanish will open up the door to 21 Spanish-speaking countries, helping you scale your business in international markets.

Plus, even if you’re not yet ready to seek new business endeavors abroad, there are over 50 million native Spanish speakers in the United States today. Being able to speak Spanish in a business environment can help you better connect with your customers and reach a wider audience. Even non-commercial professionals like doctors and psychologists could benefit from Spanish proficiency, as helping their patients in their native tongue could help them make a bigger impact.

And if you’re still looking for the perfect job or looking to make some career moves, then adding Spanish to your resume could help you land the perfect opportunity. According to Monster, being able to speak Spanish can give you a 5 to 20% boost in your salary. Not only will Spanish make you more employable, but you’ll also qualify for higher-paid jobs!

So, what’s the fastest way to incorporate Spanish into your entrepreneurial plots? While taking Spanish classes online can help you become a Spanish master and gleefully navigate any conversation, this guide will give you everything you need to talk business in Spanish.

Let’s get right down to business!

Table of contents

• 5 important facts about doing business in Spanish
• Top common business words and vocabulary
  • Basic business vocabulary
  • Business meetings vocabulary
  • Sales and marketing vocabulary
  • Finance and accounting vocabulary
  • Human resources vocabulary
  • Job interview vocabulary in Spanish
  • Legal vocabulary
  • Healthcare vocabulary
  • Other industry-specific vocabulary
• How to write business documents in Spanish
• Spanish business culture and etiquette

5 important facts about doing business in Spanish

Before we delve into hundreds of invaluable Spanish business vocabulary words, let us whet your appetite even further with some interesting facts. Here are five things you may not have known about doing business in Spanish:

• Get ready to use WhatsApp. While most business communications in the US happen over email, Spanish speakers are extremely comfortable relying on instant messaging for business communications. If you’re unfamiliar, WhatsApp is a Meta-owned instant messaging app that is widely used throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
• Greet everyone with a handshake. If you’ve traveled to Spain or Latin America before, you know that air kissing is a very common way to greet friends and acquaintances. However, you always want to use a handshake in a business environment. In situations where you’re already very close with the other person, a handshake followed by a hug and a second, subsequent handshake can also be appropriate.
• Personal connections play a huge role. If business is indeed personal, then few know it as well as Spanish speakers. As you do more and more business, you’ll realize that personal connections are often as important in closing a deal as the deal itself. Don’t be shy to call up any friends or relatives and ask them to introduce you.
• Long and boozy lunches can be expected. If you travel to a Spanish-speaking country to do business, you can expect your hosts to take you out on a long and potentially boozy lunch. Going with the point above, this is to get to know you better rather than to do business. Remember to leave plenty of time for “la sobremesa,” which is the tradition of keeping the conversation going (and the alcohol flowing) even after the food is over.
• Just a few words in Spanish can make a great impression. Don’t worry about it too much if your Spanish isn’t perfect. Knowing just a few words and phrases in Spanish can help you make a great first impression.

Top common business words and vocabulary in Spanish

Now, let’s get down to business. We’ll be covering hundreds of important business vocabulary words in Spanish in this section, so we’ve divided them into subcategories. That way, you can navigate to the category you need the most and start cutting new deals in no time!

Basic business vocabulary

Below are some essential business words that everyone should be familiar with. No matter what type of industry you’re in, you’ll definitely find it useful to know the following Spanish vocabulary words:

Business meetings vocabulary

For better or for worse, business meetings are an irreplaceable part of doing business. If you’re anxious about your next business meeting, being familiar with some of the following vocabulary can help you not only survive your next meeting but actually thrive in it!

Sales and marketing vocabulary

If sales and marketing is your thing, then these vocabulary words will help you take your numbers off the charts. From planning to executing, these are the words you’ll need to know to ace your next marketing campaign in Spanish.

Finance and accounting vocabulary

Finance isn’t all numbers and equations — it also uses a lot of specialized terminology. If you’ve put in the work to become a financial professional, you may want to serve the Spanish-speaking market. With a combined GDP of over $5 trillion, Latin America is a great place for financial professionals to do business. Here are some essential financial terms in Spanish.

Currencies of Spanish-speaking countries

Although the U.S. dollar is strong worldwide, you’ll have to get acquainted with the local currency as you do business abroad. The U.S. dollar is only used in three Latin American countries and all others have their own currency, except for Spain, which uses the Euro.

Human resources vocabulary

Knowing some human resources vocabulary words is incredibly helpful not just for HR professionals, but for all types of employees. Ideally, you won’t have to make your way to the HR department very often (unless to process a raise!), but knowing how to talk about your rights and benefits with the right people can help you get the most out of your job. Here are the top human resources vocabulary words in Spanish.

Job interview vocabulary in Spanish

Having a job interview in Spanish can seem like a daunting task — until you have the following vocabulary under your belt. Once you learn a few handy words and phrases, you’ll realize that having a job interview in Spanish is just like having any other conversation.

Example job interview

A job interview can be nerve-wracking for many reasons, but you shouldn’t let a language barrier be one of them. Check out the following example of a job interview in Spanish featuring some of the words and phrases in the section above to ace your next job interview.

Legal vocabulary

Studying to become an amazing attorney takes years of painstaking study — but learning how to use legal terminology in Spanish does not. If you’re an attorney or work in the legal industry, then check out the following legal words in Spanish.

Healthcare vocabulary

Every professional in the healthcare industry knows that being able to communicate clearly and compassionately with their patients is one of the most important skills to have. About one-in-five Hispanic people in the U.S. report not speaking English well, meaning that there are about 8 million people across the country that rely on Spanish to communicate. Even if you’re not fluent, knowing a few medical Spanish terms will help you communicate with more of your patients — and reassure them that they’re in good hands.

Other industry-specific vocabulary

We could spend all day talking about countless business terms in Spanish, and we still wouldn’t even scratch the surface. However, here are some common industry-specific vocabulary words in Spanish to help you get started. If you have any questions about a specific industry or want to learn more about it, consider booking a private Spanish lesson to power up your skills.

How to write business documents in Spanish

Being able to perform well in business meetings in Spanish can be a great skill, but you’ll usually need some written communication before getting to those meetings. For example, you’ll have to write a resume in Spanish before you land the job and you’ll have to send some business emails in Spanish before you book that meeting. Here are some tips to help you write your first few business documents in Spanish.

How to write a cover letter in Spanish

A great cover letter can make the difference between someone ignoring your job application and landing your first job interview. Although it may seem like a chore, it’s important to spend some time crafting the perfect Spanish cover letter. Here is a good structure to follow:

1. Name. Start by writing out your full legal name.
2. Address and location. Enter your address, including the city where you live.
3. Contact information. Enter your phone number and email address.
4. Name and company of the recipient. Enter the full name of the recipient along with their job title, if available. Follow that with the name of the company and its address, if available.
5. Introductory paragraph. State who you’re addressing and why you’re doing so. In other words, mention that you’re reaching out to the hiring manager because you’re interested in applying to a specific position.
6. Body paragraph 1. State why you’re interested in the vacant position, including your work experience, educational background, and career interests.
7. Body paragraph 2. Knock it out of the park with some reasons why you are the ideal candidate for this job. Include any outstanding achievements from previous jobs as well as any awards you've received.
8. Request an interview. Kindly ask for a chance to speak with the hiring manager to explore if you would be a good fit for the role.
9. Final acknowledgment. Thank the hiring manager for their time and enter a final greeting.
10. Signature. Add your full name followed by your signature.

How to write a resume in Spanish

If you’ve ever applied for a job or internship abroad, you might already know that different countries have different customs and expectations around resumes. This also applies to variations within Spanish-speaking countries, so make sure to research resume customs for your desired country!

With that said, you can follow these tips to write your first resume in Spanish:

• Add some personal style. While formatting in the U.S. is kept strictly professional, don’t be afraid to venture outside of 12-pt Times New Roman when you make your first Spanish resume. Add some color to your resume and use more stylish font types that align with your personality to make a good first impression.
• Avoid crowding. Resume real estate is extremely valuable in the U.S., and almost every blank space of that one page needs to be filled with countless details of all your incredible accomplishments. In Spanish, there is no need to delve into the details in your resume. Keep your descriptions short and sweet to avoid crowding your resume.
• Don’t be afraid to go beyond one page. Speaking of that golden one-page rule, feel free to ignore that as well. If you’ve got enough experience, feel free to go up to two pages when writing your Spanish resume. Unless you’re padding with useless or made-up information, nobody will mind reviewing your two-page resume.
• Include a headshot. Including a headshot is a huge red flag in the U.S., but they’re expected in most Spanish-speaking countries. Include a professional headshot at the top of your resume, next to your personal information. Think LinkedIn profile picture!
• Include complete personal information. Always start your Spanish resume by listing your personal information details. Make sure to include your full legal name, age or date of birth, full address, desired role, email address, phone, and nationality.
• Qualify your skills. Instead of describing your skills in detail, use simple qualifiers like “advanced” or “intermediate” to quickly convey your skill level.

How to write a business email in Spanish

Speaking Spanish slang is all fun and games until you need to write a formal business email. While it is true that WhatsApp remains king in business communications in Mexico, email communications are still quite common, especially when establishing a business relationship for the first time. Use the following phrases when drafting a business email in Spanish:

Spanish business culture and etiquette

Doing business in a Spanish-speaking country can be extremely rewarding (and fun!), but only if you’re aware of a few key cultural differences. No matter where you’re from, doing business in Spain and Latin America will surely take some getting used to, so you’ve made the right choice to look into Spanish business culture and etiquette before you make a faux pas.

Indeed, making a cultural mistake could result in offending your potential business partners and souring any chance of establishing a business relationship. That’s why many companies invest in cross-cultural training solutions to ensure that all team members can communicate effectively with people from around the world.

However, if you’re headed out to a Spanish-speaking country and need some cultural sensitivity tips ASAP, here are some main points to keep in mind in different countries:

Spanish business culture and etiquette

• Punctuality. Running a few minutes late isn’t just acceptable in Spain — it’s practically encouraged. Don’t be surprised if people show up five to ten minutes late to your meeting.
• Deadlines. Business people tend to treat deadlines more like “best by” dates. Unless explicitly stated, it is assumed that there is some flexibility to any deadline.
• Working hours. While most Spanish workers also spend around 8 hours at the office, these hours tend to be much more flexible. Workdays typically begin much later, with 10 a.m. start times not being uncommon. However, that also means that working late is very common, with many offices staying packed into 8 p.m.
• Work-life balance. In general, you want to avoid reaching out to anyone outside of normal working hours. This includes evenings and weekends, so unless it’s something urgent, avoid reaching out to your coworkers when they’re not at the office!
• Hierarchical structure. Spanish companies tend to have a hierarchical — rather than a collaborative — structure. This means that decisions are made by managers and passed down the chain, and people are largely responsible for their own jobs.
• Business meetings. Spanish companies tend to have far fewer business meetings than American companies because they serve different purposes. Meetings in the U.S. generally involve a lot of back-and-forth discussion as decisions are made in collaboration, whereas Spanish meetings are used as a way to relay new information.
• Negotiations. Business people will expect to have built some rapport with you before getting into the negotiations. This generally involves touring the business premises, going out to lunch and/or dinner, and maybe even having a welcoming reception. Don’t try to rush into the negotiations as this may be off-putting.

Mexican business culture and etiquette

• Business attire. Office attire in Mexico tends to be more formal than that of other Western countries. When it comes to the dress code for a business event in Mexico, it’s always better to be over rather than underdressed.
• Communication is less direct. It is generally considered impolite to say no in Mexico, so you’ll find that many “yesses” that don’t actually mean yes. You’ll eventually learn to discern between a genuine and an insincere yes, but, for now, be weary of any yes that is anything but enthusiastic.
• Bureaucracy can be a drag. Mexican bureaucracy can slow down business significantly. Be prepared for this by giving ample time to your negotiations.
• Lunch meetings can get long. As in Spain, going for a business lunch before getting into the negotiations isn’t uncommon. However, be prepared for these lunches to take two or even three hours. On Fridays, it’s not uncommon for office workers to head out to lunch at 2 or 3 p.m. and not return to the office.
• Bring business cards. Business cards are still very important in Mexico, and you’re expected to share your card any time you meet a new colleague.
• Time is a construct. As in Spain, time isn’t an important consideration in Mexico. You’ll find that people tend to run on a five-to-ten-minute delay and work hours aren’t as rigid.

More Spanish business culture and etiquette in other Spanish-speaking countries

Most Spanish-speaking countries share most of the culture and etiquette practices in Spain and Mexico, particularly those around punctuality and developing personal relations before beginning negotiations. However, you should always research the specific country you’re planning to do business in, as each country is slightly different. Here are some considerations for a few other countries to keep in mind:

Argentina

• Education and skills. People’s education qualifications and professional certifications play a big role. This means that using the right title when addressing someone is important, such as if you’re speaking with a licensed attorney or a doctor.
• Soft-selling. Soft skills are extremely important when negotiating in Latin America, so don’t try to hard-sell your products or services to your Argentinian clients.

Colombia

• Personal space isn’t a thing. Although physical touch isn’t expected beyond a firm handshake, Colombians have a much shorter communication distance. Don’t be surprised if people get a little closer than you’re used to when speaking to you.
• Avoid embarrassing others. Pointing out other people’s mistakes in front of others is considered bad form, as that would be embarrassing for the other person. Instead, address these issues in private.

Peru

• Decisions aren’t always made in meetings. As a highly hierarchical country, big decisions are usually made exclusively by a senior manager or the CEO. Depending on the size of the company, you may or may not be meeting with the actual decision-maker, so you’ll have to wait until the decisions are relayed.
• Bring an interpreter. If you’re not a fluent Spanish speaker, then it will probably be a good idea to hire an interpreter to prevent misunderstandings.

Supercharge your career with this handy Spanish for business guide

Learning Spanish can be an incredibly fun way to give your career a boost. Not only will you be able to close major deals in Spanish-speaking markets but you’ll also get to experience life from an entirely different perspective. This can help you get more creative with your products and services as you learn from the Hispanic way of doing business.

Plus, when you inevitably visit one of the Spanish-speaking countries to make business deals, you’ll be perfectly equipped to order food at a restaurant, grab a coffee, and, why not, try some tasty beers. You can’t forget about playing hard after working hard!

If you’re now confident in your business abilities in a Spanish-speaking market and want to keep leveling up your Spanish, check out our Spanish blog for more handy lessons and guides. And if you’re looking for a custom solution for your business needs, we also offer corporate training for businesses.