Whether you're browsing a local market in Mexico City, shopping at a mall in Madrid, or purchasing groceries in Buenos Aires, knowing shopping vocabulary in Spanish is essential for travelers and learners alike. Today, we'll explore the words and phrases you need to navigate any shopping experience with confidence.
Let's start by learning the names of different types of stores you might visit while shopping in Spanish-speaking countries.
The word tienda is the general term for "store" or "shop" in Spanish. You'll hear this everywhere!
Me encuentro en la increíble tienda de Lego aquí en Barcelona,
I'm at the amazing Lego store here in Barcelona,
Caption 5, Víctor en España La tienda Lego de Barcelona
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When you need to buy groceries and household items, head to el supermercado.
¿sabe si hay algún supermercado cercano abierto todavía?"
Do you know if there's any supermarket nearby still open?"
Caption 26, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 4
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In Latin America, you'll often hear centro comercial for shopping mall/center. In Spain, many people also use el centro comercial or simply las tiendas.
y la segunda en el centro comercial Larios en el centro de Málaga.
and the second one in the Larios shopping center in downtown Málaga.
Caption 59, Adriana Mi historia con el café
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Traditional markets remain popular throughout Latin America and Spain for fresh produce, meats, and local goods.
Y muy atentos, porque hoy os he traído hasta El Rastro, el mercado callejero más grande de todo Madrid.
And [be] very attentive because today, I've brought you to El Rastro, the biggest street market in all of Madrid.
Captions 3-4, Con Marta por Madrid El Rastro
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For high-end fashion and specialty items, you might visit una boutique.
Morgan, vamos a la boutique de mi amiga Mousy.
Morgan, we're going to my friend, Mousy' boutique.
Caption 1, Muñeca Brava 7 El poema - Part 4
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Now that you know where to shop, let's learn the key verbs you'll need during your shopping experience.
This is the most essential shopping verb. Comprar means "to buy" or "to purchase."
y voy a comprar al mercado,
and I'm going to buy at the market,
Caption 42, Cataluña y su gente Cristina de Reus
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The opposite of comprar is vender, which means "to sell."
y luego tú puedes vender, eh...
and then you can sell, um...
Caption 47, Isabel y Paula contigo Vida cultural en Madrid - Part 2
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When you're searching for a specific item, use the verb buscar.
Buscar, significa tratar de encontrar algo o a alguien.
"Buscar" [to look for] means to try to find something or someone.
Caption 29, Lecciones con Carolina Mirar, ver, y buscar
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Shopping for clothes? You'll want to probarse (try on) items before buying them.
Si gusta, puede probarse cualquier modelito, ¿ah?
If you want, you can try on any design, huh?
Caption 37, Otavalo Zapatos andinos
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When you're ready to complete your purchase, you'll need to pagar.
Vas a tener que pagar más dinero.
You're going to have to pay more money.
Caption 10, Fermín Frases y expresiones - Part 2
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To ask how much something costs, you'll use the verb costar.
pues, te va a costar más o menos.
well, it's going to cost you more or less.
Caption 14, Isabel y Paula contigo Transporte público en Madrid - Part 3
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When you decide to purchase something, you can say Me lo llevo (I'll take it).
Si viene un... extravagante a quererse llevar este, ¿en cuánto también estaría? Este es veinticinco.
If an... extravagant person comes and wants to take this one, how much would it cost too? This one is twenty-five.
Captions 27-29, Otavalo Totora - Part 2
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Being able to ask questions and communicate with shop assistants makes shopping much easier. Here are some essential phrases:
📌 This is probably the most important question you'll ask while shopping!
¿Cuánto cuesta esta cartera?"
How much does this purse cost?"
Caption 33, Ana Carolina Salir de compras
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Use this phrase to ask if a store has a particular item.
¿Tiene esta camisa en azul?
Do you have this shirt in blue?
When a salesperson approaches and you're just browsing, this phrase is useful:
Estoy mirando, gracias
I'm just looking, thank you
Need help finding something in the store? Ask ¿Dónde está...?
"¿Podría usted indicarme dónde está la plaza?"
"Could you [formal] tell me where the plaza is?"
Caption 45, Raquel Las direcciones
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A polite way to get assistance from store staff.
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar a encontrar una chaqueta?
Exceuse me, can you help me find a jacket?
When shopping for clothes, staff might ask you ¿Qué talla usa? The most common sizes are pequeña/chica (small), mediana (medium), grande (large), and extra grande (extra large).
Yo también; voy a preguntar si hay otra talla,
Me too; I'm going to ask if there is another size,
Caption 68, Cleer y Carolina De compras
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📌 It's also very common to refer to sizes by their letters: S (ese), M (eme), L (ele), and XL (equis ele).
Essential when shopping for clothes or shoes and the first size doesn't fit!
Before trying on clothes, you'll need to find el probador (the fitting room).
El siguiente paso es probarte el vestido en el probador.
The next step is to try on the dress in the fitting room.
Caption 31, Raquel Haciendo compras
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Always polite to ask permission before heading to the fitting room.
When it's time to pay, you'll need to know these terms:
The amount something costs is el precio.
He comprado dos por el precio de uno. -Mm...
I've bought two for the price of one. -Mm...
Caption 11, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 7: La gemela - Part 3
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Head to la caja when you're ready to pay.
Desde que José administra la tienda, siempre falta dinero en la caja
Since Jose has been managing the store, money is always missing in the cash register,
Captions 42-43, Carlos explica Los cinco sentidos - Part 4
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The person who processes your payment is el cajero (male) or la cajera (female). Interestingly, cajero is also the term used for an ATM machine, which is called el cajero automático:
¡Oh! ¿Dónde está el cajero automático?
Oh! Where's the ATM?
Caption 36, Natalia de Ecuador Palabras de uso básico
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If you're paying with cash, you're paying en efectivo.
Una pregunta: ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito o sólo en efectivo?
One question: Can I pay with a credit card or just in cash?
Caption 41, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 2
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Most stores accept credit and debit cards, which are collectively called tarjetas.
La tarjeta de crédito en sí misma no es mala;
The credit card in itself is not bad;
Caption 8, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 3
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Always keep your receipt, or el recibo, in case you need to return something.
Pasa un chiflón y se me lleva la, la lotería, se me lleva el recibo.
A gust of wind passes by and takes the, the lottery ticket from me, it takes the receipt from me.
Captions 30-31, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 14
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Everyone loves a discount! Look for signs that say descuento or rebaja.
Es muy importante que consigamos el descuento.
It's very important that we get the discount.
Caption 50, Negocios Problemas laborales - Part 1
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Especially popular in Spain, las rebajas are seasonal sales events.
no hay aglomeraciones de gente en las tiendas, en las rebajas.
there are no crowds of people in the stores, at the sales.
Captions 40-41, Soledad Vacaciones de verano
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Here are some common phrases you'll hear or use while shopping:
When something is discounted, it's en oferta.
Ese atún me va a costar uno veinticinco porque está en oferta.
That tuna is going to cost me one twenty-five because it's on sale.
Caption 37, María Fernanda Economía durante el COVID-19
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Use this when trying on clothes to indicate if something fits properly.
¿Me queda bien? Sí, ¿no? -Guapo, guapo, muy bien se ve.
Does it look good on me? It does, right? -Handsome, handsome, it looks very good.
Caption 52, 75 minutos Gangas para ricos - Part 6
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If the price is too high, you can say Es muy caro.
¡Es muy caro!
It's very expensive!
Caption 87, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 2: Sam va de compras - Part 6
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When you find a great deal, it's una ganga!
Una ganga es un objeto que lo venden regalado. Bueno, regalado no, pero que es muy barato.
A bargain is an object that's sold as a giveaway. Well, maybe not a giveaway, but it's very cheap.
Captions 59-60, Con Marta por Madrid El Rastro
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Always good to confirm before you start shopping!
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Do you accept cards?
Caption 62, Natalia de Ecuador Ordenar en un restaurante
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Let's put this vocabulary into context with some practical examples you might encounter:
¿Tiene esta camisa en talla mediana?
Do you have this shirt in size medium?
¿Cuánto cuestan estos zapatos?
How much do these shoes cost?
¿Dónde están las frutas y verduras?
Where are the fruits and vegetables?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay with a card?
Necesito devolver esto, por favor.
I need to return this, please.
Congratulations! You now have the essential vocabulary and phrases to navigate shopping in Spanish with confidence. From asking for prices to finding the right size, these words and expressions will help you shop like a local in any Spanish-speaking country. Practice using these terms during your next shopping trip, and remember that every purchase is an opportunity to improve your Spanish!
What shopping experiences have you had in Spanish-speaking countries? Share your stories with us, and don't forget to send us your questions and suggestions!
In caption 8 of his electric press kit, Spanish artist Javier García uses the common Spanish verb dejar with the meaning "to leave":
Tú me quieres dejar, y yo no quiero sufrir
You want to leave me, and I don't want to suffer
Caption 8, Javier García - EPK
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However, twelve captions later, we find the imperative form of the very same verb being sung to a different tune:
Deja de correr, tranquila
Stop running, take it easy
Caption 20, Javier García - EPK
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How can the same verb mean such different things? Why, context, of course! Let's explore the many meanings and uses of the Spanish verb dejar.
One of the most common translations for the Spanish verb dejar is "to leave." However, just like the English verb "to leave," the Spanish verb dejar can describe many different types of "leaving." Let's take a look at several (ten, to be exact!) of the English meanings of the verb "to leave" and learn how to express these same ideas with dejar in Spanish.
The verb dejar in Spanish can mean "to abandon" or "give up" something. Let's take a look:
Si yo dejé mi departamento... -Ni se te ocurra.
If I left my apartment... -Don't even think about it.
Caption 14, Muñeca Brava 45 El secreto - Part 6
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Another meaning of the Spanish verb dejar is "to leave" something or someone in a particular state, for example, in the sentence La pelicula me dejó sin palabras (The movie left me speechless). Let's see another example:
Esta rumba, yo te digo, que te deja por el suelo
This rumba, I'm telling you, leaves you on the floor
Captions 1-2, Javier García - La Rumba
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The verb dejar can additionally mean "to leave" in the sense of putting or placing something somewhere:
He dejado la bolsa enfrente a un niño.
I have left the bag in front of a little boy.
Caption 52, María Marí Su pasión por su arte - Part 1
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However, since we may not have "put" or "placed" that something in that particular place on purpose, the Spanish verb dejar is often used to say we "forgot" something:
¿Dónde dejé mi billetera? -No se preocupe.
Where did I leave my wallet? -Don't worry about it.
Caption 19, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 3 - Part 5
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In English, we can "leave something" in a particular state or location, whether permanently or temporarily, and the Spanish verb dejar expresses this same idea. You might say, Yo voy a dejar mi pelo así (I'm going to leave my hair like this) or the following, both of which could be replaced with "to allow to remain":
Deja los garbanzos en el agua hirviendo aproximadamente media hora.
Leave the chickpeas in the boiling water for approximately half an hour.
Captions 65-66, El Aula Azul Receta de garbanzos
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Dejar in Spanish can also mean to "leave" someone or something somewhere in the sense of "dropping off" that person or thing:
¿Pero si me acabas de dejar, no?
But you just dropped me off, right?
Caption 38, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 2 - Part 7
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Yet another meaning of the verb dejar in Spanish is "to leave" as in "bequeathing" someone to someone.
tú tenías como algún tipo de auxilio, ¿un... un tipo de pensión que tus padres te dejaron?
you had like some kind of help, a... a kind of pension that your parents left you?
Captions 40-41, Tu Voz Estéreo Laura - Part 4
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On its own or within idioms, the verb dejar in Spanish can mean "to leave alone." Let's start with an example with just the verb dejar:
Déjelo, ¿o le gustaría que le hiciera lo mismo?
Leave him alone, or would you like me to do the same thing to you?
Caption 48, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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A couple of idioms that also mean to "leave alone" are dejar en paz (literally "leave in peace") or the more literal dejar solo. Let's hear them in context:
¿Por qué no me dejás en paz?
Why don't you leave me alone?
Caption 58, Muñeca Brava 8 Trampas - Part 12
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Dejame solo, tía. Por favor.
Leave me alone, Auntie. Please.
Caption 24, Muñeca Brava 2 Venganza - Part 5
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The Spanish verb dejar can also mean "to leave" in the sense of "breaking up with," or "walking out on" someone. Let's take a look:
¿Qué pasa si la dejo a Andrea?
What if I leave Andrea?
Caption 104, Muñeca Brava 47 Esperanzas - Part 10
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And finally (in this section!), you might notice that on the phone, Spanish speakers often say, "Bueno, te dejo" or something similar, which corresponds to the English, "I'll let you go." You might also notice this in many videos from our Yabla Spanish library:
de momento aquí os dejo.
for now, I'll leave you here.
Caption 54, Amaya La historia de Lukas
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In addition to the plethora of nuanced ways in which the Spanish verb dejar can be used to talk about "leaving," it can also have several additional translations. Let's explore some!
If you wish to give someone permission to do something, you might use the Spanish verb dejar, which can also mean "to let," "permit" or "allow."
Siempre me dejaban hacer lo que quise.
They always allowed me to do whatever I wanted.
Caption 8, Biografía Natalia Oreiro - Part 3
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Esperá, no me dejaste terminar.
Wait, you didn't let me finish.
Caption 37, Muñeca Brava 46 Recuperación - Part 7
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Dejar can additionally describe ceasing to do something temporarily or permanently, and the formula for using it in this context is dejar + de + infinitive. This gives us the equivalent of "stopping" or "quitting" an action depicted by the gerund, or "-ing," form in English. Let's take a look.
Pues que este señor dejó de trabajar.
Well, this gentleman stopped working.
Caption 17, Málaga Lourdes y la espartería en Mijas Pueblo
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Y tú, deja de sonreír, ¡que también es culpa tuya!
And you, quit smiling because it's your fault too!
Caption 37, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 6: El día de la Primitiva - Part 4
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Perhaps a lesser-known meaning of the verb dejar in Spanish is "to lend":
Lola, ¿puedes dejarme algo de ropa?
Lola, can you lend me some clothes?
Caption 9, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 7: La gemela - Part 3
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And finally, the verb dejar in Spanish can also mean "to drop" as in a topic, as in the expression "Déjalo" (Drop it). This is sort of an intersection of dejar meaning "to stop" (talking about something) and "to leave" since "Dejémoslo ahí," for example, can sometimes be translated as "Let's leave it there," as in the following caption:
Dejémoslo ahí.
Let's leave it there.
Caption 62, Muñeca Brava 45 El secreto - Part 5
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Let's conclude our lesson on the many uses of the Spanish verb dejar by mentioning its reflexive form, dejarse. The reflexive verb dejarse is used in two main ways.
This not-very-flattering use of the Spanish verb dejar is used to describe someone who neglects their health or appearance.
Juan realmente se dejó después de casarse y ha subido más de cincuenta libras.
Juan really let himself go after getting married and has gained more than fifty pounds.
The reflexive verb dejarse + infinitive is used to describe something one "allows him or herself" to experience, which could be negative or positive and is usually translated with "to be" or "to get" plus an English verb in the past participle (typically ending in -ed or -en). Let's see a couple of examples:
no se dejó influenciar por intereses personales, ni por presiones mediáticas en las que se ha visto envuelta últimamente.
she didn't allow herself to be influenced by personal interests or the media pressure she's been embroiled in lately.
Captions 7-8, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 4
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Mm... Déjate llevar al paraíso.
Mm... Let yourself get carried away to paradise.
Caption 40, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 5: Ha nacido una estrella - Part 2
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With all of that said, te dejamos por hoy (we'll leave you/say goodbye for today). We hope that this lesson te haya dejado (has left you) with a better understanding of the many meanings of the Spanish verb dejar, and for further explanation and examples, be sure to check out the videos Significados del verbo dejar (Meanings of the Verb Dejar)- Part 1 and Significados del verbo dejar- Part 2. And don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments.
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