Essential Business Vocabulary and Professional Communication

Essential Business Vocabulary

Core Business & Financial Terms

  • Receipt
  • Share
  • Invoice
  • Contract
  • Insurance Certificate
  • Business Plan
  • Budget

Key Financial Concepts

  1. Payment on delivery of the goods: Cash on Delivery
  2. Card which allows you to pay on credit: Credit Card
  3. To pay part of the money: Deposit
  4. To buy goods or services and make the payment later: Buy on Credit
  5. To pay before the goods are delivered: Advance Payment
  6. The offer of money you make at an auction sale: Bid
  7. Payment for professional services: Fee
  8. Money paid or distributed to shareholders: Dividend
  9. Money paid to the government: Tax

Banking Vocabulary

English Terms

  • To withdraw
  • Statement
  • Interest
  • Bank Loan
  • Overdraft
  • Bank Clerk
  • Mortgage
  • To borrow
  • Currency
  • To lend
  • To be in the black
  • To deposit

Spanish Terms

  • Retirar
  • Estado de cuenta
  • Interés
  • Préstamo bancario
  • Sobregiro
  • Empleado de banco
  • Hipoteca
  • Pedir prestado
  • Moneda
  • Prestar
  • Tener saldo positivo
  • Depositar

Commerce & Trade Terminology

  • Discount
  • Transaction
  • Wholesaler
  • Distributor
  • Goods
  • Margin
  • Order
  • Bargain
  • Warehouse
  • Manufacturer
  • Deposit
  • Seller
  • Invoice
  • Customer
  • Services
  • Retailer
  • Stock
  • Complaint Form
  • Factory
  • Workshop
  • To purchase
  • To dispatch
  • To refund
  • To discontinue

Marketing & Advertising Terms

English Terms

  • Brochure
  • Publicity
  • Leaflet
  • Image
  • Catalogue
  • Graphic Designers
  • Freebie
  • Sample
  • Commercials
  • Flyer
  • Business Card
  • Promotion
  • Advert
  • Slogan
  • Target Group
  • Creatives
  • Production Manager

Spanish Terms

  • Folleto
  • Publicidad
  • Folleto (también)
  • Imagen
  • Catálogo
  • Diseñadores gráficos
  • Obsequio
  • Muestra
  • Comerciales
  • Volante
  • Tarjeta de presentación
  • Promoción
  • Anuncio
  • Eslogan
  • Grupo objetivo
  • Creativos
  • Gerente de producción

Business Meetings & Communication

Key Meeting Terminology

English Terms

  • AOB (Any Other Business)
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Consensus
  • Agenda
  • Minutes
  • Appointment
  • Show of Hands
  • Chairperson
  • Attendee
  • Proposal
  • Absent
  • Business Card
  • Guest Speaker
  • Opening Remarks
  • Main Point
  • Summary
  • Item

Spanish Terms

  • AOB
  • Análisis DAFO
  • Consenso
  • Agenda
  • Actas
  • Cita
  • Levantar la mano
  • Presidente
  • Asistente
  • Propuesta
  • Ausente
  • Tarjeta de presentación
  • Orador invitado
  • Comentarios de apertura
  • Punto principal
  • Resumen
  • Tema

Job Interview Simulation

Interviewer: Good morning, Mrs. Johnson. Take a seat, please.

Johnson: Good morning. Thank you.

Interviewer: OK, let’s begin with the interview. Have you had experience as a personal assistant?

Johnson: No, I finished my studies some months ago, and I have had different jobs during my summer holidays, but I have never been a personal assistant.

Interviewer: OK, what did you study?

Johnson: I have always wanted to work as a personal assistant, so I have studied languages and I have attended some courses on communication skills, time management, and team working.

Interviewer: Perfect, and what languages do you speak?

Johnson: I speak English, French, and a little bit of Spanish.

Interviewer: OK, now let’s talk about your professional experience. You have commented that you have had summer jobs. What kind of jobs have you done?

Johnson: Well, I worked as a waitress two years ago, and last summer I worked for a travel agency.

Interviewer: Good. What did you do in the travel agency?

Johnson: I dealt with customers. I answered the phones and I was responsible for the office material.

Interviewer: Right. What do you think are the most important qualities a personal assistant needs?

Johnson: Organization, communication skills, and enthusiasm.