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"Compañero" is a noun which is often translated as "companion", and "colega" is a noun which is often translated as "colleague". Learn more about the difference between "compañero" and "colega" below.
el compañero, la compañera(
kohm
-
pah
-
nyeh
-
roh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (friend)
a. companion
Disfrutarás más el viaje si vas con algún compañero.You'll enjoy the trip more if you go with a companion.
2. (education)
b. schoolmate
Ana y yo fuimos compañeras en el Colegio Santa Cruz.Ana and I were schoolmates at the Santa Cruz School.
a. partner
Mi mujer es mi compañera de vida y mi único verdadero amor.My wife is my partner in life and my one true love.
4. (associate)
a. partner
¿Quién es tu compañero en el torneo de Scrabble?Who's your partner in the Scrabble tournament?
6. (politics)
a. comrade
Compañeros, hoy es un día clave para nuestra organización.Comrades, today is an important day for our organization.
el colega, la colega(
koh
-
leh
-
gah
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. colleague
Voy a tomar unos tragos con mis colegas después del trabajo.I'm going to have a few drinks with my colleagues after work.
b. coworker (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La mitad de los empleados afirmaron que saldrían con un colega.Half of the employees claimed they would date a coworker.
a. counterpart
Mi colega en Microsoft es la competencia, no mi enemigo.My counterpart at Microsoft is the competition, not my enemy.
b. opposite number
Su colega en la sede de Nueva York conoce el negocio mejor que ella.Her opposite number in the New York office knows more about the business than her.
3. (colloquial) (friend) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. pal (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mis familiares y mis colegas me dieron una fiesta sorpresa cuando me gradué.My family and my pals threw a surprise party for me when I graduated.
b. buddy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Calma, colega. Era solo una broma.Relax, buddy. I was just joking.
c. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mis colegas y yo vamos a salir. ¿Quieres sumarte?Me and my mates are going out. Do you want to join us?
