vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Banco" is a form of "banco", a noun which is often translated as "bench". "Banca" is a form of "banca", a noun which is often translated as "banking". Learn more about the difference between "banco" and "banca" below.
el banco(
bahng
-
koh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (seat)
a. bench (in a yard or park)
Los bancos del parque están recién pintados.The park benches have just been painted.
c. stool (with no back)
¿Me pasas un banco para bajar ese libro del estante de arriba?Can you pass me a stool to get that book down from the top shelf?
e. workbench (for carpentry, etc.)
Necesito un banco más grande para trabajar en el taller.I need a larger workbench to work on in the workshop.
3. (stock)
a. bank
El banco de sangre necesita donantes de todo tipo de sangre.The blood bank needs donors of all blood types.
a. school
La zona atrae a muchos visitantes porque las aguas cristalinas dejan ver bancos de peces tropicales.Many visitors are attracted to the area because schools of tropical fish can be seen in the crystal-clear waters.
la banca(
bahng
-
kah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (finance)
a. banking (activity)
El Sr. López ha hecho su fortuna trabajando en la banca.Mr. Lopez made his fortune in banking.
b. banks (institutions)
La banca de México se nacionalizó en los años ochenta.Mexico's banks were nationalized in the eighties.
2. (seat) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. bench
Me senté en una banca en el parque mientras mis hijos jugaban con sus amigos.I sat on a bench in the park while my kids played with their friends.
3. (sports)
a. bench
Aunque todo el mundo pensó que jugaría, Javier Hernández se quedó en la banca en la final.Although everyone thought he would be playing, Javier Hernández stayed on the bench in the final.
a. bank
Después de una larga noche de apuestas, un jugador hizo saltar la banca del casino.After a long night of betting, one player broke the casino bank.
5. (position in parliament) (Caribbean) (Southern Cone)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
a. seat
Julio Gómez se está postulando para una banca en el Senado.Julio Gomez is running for a Senate seat.
6. (figurative) (power or clout) (Southern Cone)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. influence
Pérez tiene mucha banca en esa repartición; siempre consigue lo que quiere.Pérez has a lot of influence in this department; he always gets what he wants.
b. pull (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si tienes banca con el director, seguro te da los días libres.If you have some pull with the manager, he's sure to give you those days off.
