Lael logo

departamento means department — a common term in Spanish for Business. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: March 29, 2026

💼 Spanish for Business

departamento

noun • /[de-par-ta-MEN-to]/

department

Example:

Trabajo en el departamento financiero.

I work in the finance department.

🧠 What does departamento mean?

The word 'departamento' refers to a distinct administrative division or section within an organization, company, or institution. It typically groups together employees or functions that perform similar tasks or have a common area of responsibility. In a business context, it signifies a specific unit such as the marketing department, the human resources department, or the sales department. Beyond business, 'departamento' can also denote a specialized area within a larger entity, like an academic department at a university or a government department.

📚 Extra examples

  • El departamento de contabilidad es responsable de las finanzas de la empresa.
    The accounting department is responsible for the company's finances.
  • Necesito hablar con alguien del departamento de recursos humanos.
    I need to speak with someone from the human resources department.
  • Se ha abierto una nueva vacante en el departamento de marketing.
    A new vacancy has opened in the marketing department.
  • Cada departamento tiene su propio presupuesto asignado.
    Each department has its own allocated budget.
  • El departamento de atención al cliente recibió muchas quejas esta semana.
    The customer service department received many complaints this week.

💡 Did You Know?

While 'departamento' most commonly translates to 'department' in an organizational sense, it's worth noting that in many Latin American countries, it also commonly refers to an 'apartment.' The specific meaning is usually clear from the context.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "departamento"

Synonyms: área, sección, división, unidad, sector

🔍 See more spanish for business words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'department' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'department' is 'departamento'.
How do you pronounce 'departamento' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is deh-par-tah-MEN-toh.
How do you use 'departamento' in a sentence?
It is used to refer to a specific division or section of an organization, for example: 'El departamento de ventas está en el tercer piso.' (The sales department is on the third floor.)
What is the English translation of 'departamento'?
The primary English translation of 'departamento' is 'department'.
Does 'departamento' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'departamento' is a masculine noun. In the plural, it becomes 'departamentos'.
Is 'departamento' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'departamento' is a very common word, especially in professional and academic contexts. It is also used to refer to an apartment in some regions, though 'apartamento' is more common for that meaning.
Does 'departamento' have slang or double meanings?
In some Latin American countries, 'departamento' can also mean 'apartment.' It's important to consider the context to understand the intended meaning.
Is 'departamento' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While both regions use 'departamento' for organizational divisions, in Latin America, it is also frequently used to mean 'apartment,' whereas in Spain, 'apartamento' or 'piso' are more common for an apartment.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store