Spanish word

oligopolio

Pronunciation

IPA/oliɣoˈpoljo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounoligopoly

Example

Ese mercado es un oligopolio.

That market is an oligopoly.

Illustration for oligopolio (oligopoly)

More examples

Los precios suben porque hay un oligopolio.

Prices are rising because of the existence of an oligopoly.

Core concept

A market dominated by a few large firms.

Common phrases

  • hay un oligopolio

    existence of an oligopoly

  • el oligopolio de bancos

    oligopoly of banks

  • romper el oligopolio

    dismantling the oligopoly

Similar words

monopolio: Market controlled by a single firm supplying almost everything.
cartel: Agreement among firms to fix prices or limit production.
concentración: Concentration of market share in a very small number of firms.
duopolio: Market controlled mainly by two firms sharing most sales.

Definition in Spanish

Régimen de mercado donde la competencia efectiva es limitada porque unas pocas empresas dominan la oferta y pueden coordinar su comportamiento.

Word origin

From Greek oligos 'few' and polein 'to sell', adopted into modern European economic vocabulary to name a market controlled by a small number of sellers.

Usage tips

  • Speakers often add a concrete example when using oligopolio because the term is formal and may confuse non-specialist listeners.

Opposites

Related words

  • oligopolistaoligopolistnoun

Word lists with this word