Firme

Firme is a term that appears in several languages with related but distinct meanings. In Spanish, firme is an adjective meaning firm, solid, or steadfast; the related noun firma means signature and, in business contexts, can appear in proper names or phrases referring to a company. In legal Spanish, a sentencia firme denotes a final, binding judgment. The word's common core is the idea of firmness or stability.

Etymology and cognates trace firme to the Latin firmus, meaning strong or fixed. From this root, many Romance languages developed words that emphasize firmness, stability, or definiteness, with different spellings and grammatical forms. While firme itself is more common as an adjective in Spanish, other languages use similar forms to convey related concepts of firmness or steadiness.

Usage and context vary. In everyday Spanish, firme describes physical sturdiness or steadfast character. In law, finance, and branding, firme or firma can appear in specialized phrases or as part of names. In English-language texts, firme is rarely used except as a proper noun, a brand name, or a loanword; the standard English counterpart for a business entity is the word firm.

Notable notes include that, outside of its linguistic contexts, firme does not designate a single, universal concept in business law or organization. When encountered in English-language writing, it is typically a proper noun or a nonstandard form, with firm as the usual translation for a business entity.