comercio
Lemma Details
Translation: commerce; trade; business; store; shop
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin 'commercium', a compound of 'com-' (together) and 'merx' (merchandise, goods). The same Latin root gave English 'commerce' and 'commercial'. The word reflects the ancient practice of exchanging goods and services, evolving from simple bartering to complex international trade systems. The '-merc-' element is also found in English words like 'merchant', 'market', and 'merchandise'.
Commonality: 85%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El comercio entre los dos países ha aumentado en los últimos años.
Trade between the two countries has increased in recent years.
Voy al comercio de la esquina a comprar pan.
I'm going to the store on the corner to buy bread.
El comercio electrónico está transformando la economía global.
E-commerce is transforming the global economy.
Mi padre tiene un pequeño comercio en el centro.
My father has a small business downtown.
Mnemonics
- Think 'commerce' with a Spanish ending.
- Remember 'com-' (together) + 'merc-' (merchandise) = trading goods together.
- Picture a busy marketplace where merchants come together to trade.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'comercio' often refers to small local businesses that form the backbone of neighborhood economies. The term is used in economic policy discussions and appears in phrases like 'tratado de libre comercio' (free trade agreement), which has been politically significant throughout Latin America.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Comercio' is a noun meaning 'trade' or 'store', while 'comercial' is an adjective meaning 'commercial' or a noun meaning 'commercial advertisement'.
Notes: In some contexts, 'comercio' can refer to the business establishment itself, while 'comercial' describes the nature or quality of business activities.
Mnemonic: 'Comercio' ends in 'o' like 'store' and 'cargo' (goods), while 'comercial' ends in 'al' like other adjectives (natural, formal).
Explanation: While both refer to trade and business, 'comercio' is broader and can mean the activity of trading or a store, while 'mercado' specifically means 'market' (both the place and the economic concept).
This word:
El comercio internacional beneficia a ambos países.
International trade benefits both countries.
Notes: 'Mercado' often implies a physical marketplace with multiple vendors, while 'comercio' can be more abstract or refer to a single store.
Mnemonic: 'Mercado' contains 'merc-' (merchandise) + '-ado' (place), so it's the place for merchandise, while 'comercio' is the activity of exchanging merchandise.