colega

colleague, workmate

noun koh-LEH-gah Less Common

Origin: From Latin collega (one chosen together).

Also means

buddy, mate (informal)

Usage Note

Colega is common gender — el colega or la colega depending on the person's gender. In informal speech, especially among younger speakers in Spain, it is used loosely for 'mate' or 'buddy' regardless of any professional context. The related adjective colegial refers to something collegial or of a school (colegio).

Examples

"Un colega me ayudó con el informe."

Natural Translation

A colleague helped me with the report.

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