colega

/koˈleɣa/
nounIntermediate
informal

A colleague or friend, often used in informal contexts to refer to someone you work with or have a friendly relationship with.

¿Vas a salir con tus colegas después del trabajo?

Are you going out with your colleagues after work?

Mi colega me ayudó con el informe.

My colleague helped me with the report.

💡

In some Spanish-speaking countries, 'colega' can also be used as a term of endearment among friends.

Collocations

colega de trabajowork colleaguecolega cercanoclose colleague

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ser colegasphrase
to be friends or colleagues

💡Pro Tip

Informal Usage

'Colega' is commonly used in informal contexts and can be a friendly way to refer to someone you work with or are close to.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

In professional settings, 'colega' is often interchangeable with 'compañero de trabajo', but in casual conversation, it can imply a closer relationship.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'collega', meaning 'colleague' or 'associate'.

📝Usage Notes

While 'colega' can mean 'colleague' in a professional context, it is often used more broadly to refer to friends or acquaintances in informal settings.

Word Breakdown

co-
together
prefix
+
-lega
related to law or association
root
Diccionario Español-Inglés