Spanish Conversation · Level 20
90 words
Spanish word
autónomo
Pronunciation
IPA/auˈtonomo/
Meaning
- masculine nounself-employed person
Example
Mi hermano es autónomo y trabaja desde casa.
My brother is self-employed and works from home.
More examples
Decidí hacerme autónomo para tener más flexibilidad en mi horario.
I decided to go freelance to have more flexibility in my schedule.
Core concept
Worker who manages and sells services on their own account.
Common phrases
ser autónomo
be self-employed
hacerse autónomo
go freelance
Similar words
trabajador independiente: Independent worker who finds and performs paid jobs on their own initiative and schedule.
profesional independiente: Independent professional with specialized skills who contracts directly with clients for services.
cuentapropista: Owner-operator who runs a small personal business to provide income and manage daily operations.
Definition in Spanish
Profesional o trabajador que presta servicios por su propia cuenta y gestiona su actividad sin estar contratado por otra empresa.
Word origin
From Greek autonomos (auto 'self' + nomos 'law'), via Latin and Old French into Spanish meaning 'self-governing' and later applied to a person who works independently.
Usage tips
- In Spain 'autónomo' commonly denotes the formal self-employment/tax status, so speakers often say 'trabaja por cuenta propia' or add the job title to make the arrangement clear.
Other meanings
- freelancernoun
- sole proprietornoun
Opposites
- asalariadowage earnernoun
Related words
- autonomíaautonomynoun