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Shopping Vocabulary in Spanish: Useful Words and Questions

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.

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Types of Stores in Spanish

Let's start by learning the names of different types of stores you might visit while shopping in Spanish-speaking countries.

 

La tienda (lah tee-EN-dah) | Store/Shop

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

 Play Caption

 

El supermercado (el soo-per-mer-KAH-doh) | Supermarket

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

 Play Caption

 

El centro comercial (el SEN-troh koh-mer-see-AHL) | Shopping mall/center

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

 Play Caption

 

El mercado (el mer-KAH-doh) | Market

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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La boutique (lah boo-TEEK) | Boutique

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

 Play Caption

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Essential Shopping Verbs in Spanish

Now that you know where to shop, let's learn the key verbs you'll need during your shopping experience.

 

Comprar (kohm-PRAR) | To buy

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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Vender (ben-DER) | To sell

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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Buscar (boos-KAR) | To look for

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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Probarse (proh-BAR-seh) | To try on

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

 Play Caption

 

Pagar (pah-GAR) | To pay

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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Costar (kohs-TAR) | To cost

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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Llevar (yeh-VAR) | To take/carry

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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Shopping Questions and Phrases

Being able to ask questions and communicate with shop assistants makes shopping much easier. Here are some essential phrases:

 

¿Cuánto cuesta? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah) | How much does it cost?

📌 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

 Play Caption

 

¿Tiene...? (tee-EH-neh) | Do you have...?

Use this phrase to ask if a store has a particular item.

 

¿Tiene esta camisa en azul? 

Do you have this shirt in blue?

 

Estoy mirando (es-TOY mee-RAN-doh) | I'm just looking

When a salesperson approaches and you're just browsing, this phrase is useful:

 

Estoy mirando, gracias 

I'm just looking, thank you

 

¿Dónde está...? (DOHN-deh es-TAH) | Where is...?

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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¿Me puede ayudar? (meh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR) | Can you help me?

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?

 

¿Qué talla usa? (keh TAH-yah OO-sah) | What size do you wear?

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).

 

¿Tienen otra talla? (tee-EH-nen OH-trah TAH-yah) | Do you have another size?

Essential when shopping for clothes or shoes and the first size doesn't fit!

 

¿Dónde está el probador? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el proh-bah-DOR) | Where is the fitting room?

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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¿Puedo probármelo? (PWEH-doh proh-BAR-meh-loh) | Can I try it on?

Always polite to ask permission before heading to the fitting room.

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Payment Vocabulary

When it's time to pay, you'll need to know these terms:

 

El precio (el PREH-see-oh) | The price

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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La caja (lah KAH-hah) | The checkout/cash register

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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El cajero/La cajera (el kah-HEH-roh/lah kah-HEH-rah) | The cashier

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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El efectivo (el eh-fek-TEE-voh) | Cash

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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La tarjeta (lah tar-HEH-tah) | The card

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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El recibo (el reh-SEE-boh) | The receipt

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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El descuento (el des-KWEN-toh) | The discount

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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Las rebajas (lahs reh-BAH-has) | Sales

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

 Play Caption

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Useful Shopping Expressions

Here are some common phrases you'll hear or use while shopping:

 

Está en oferta (es-TAH en oh-FER-tah) | It's on sale

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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Me queda bien/mal (meh KEH-dah bee-EN/mahl) | It fits me well/badly

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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Es muy caro (es mooy KAH-roh) | It's very expensive

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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Es una ganga (es OO-nah GAHN-gah) | It's a bargain

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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¿Aceptan tarjeta(s)? (ah-SEP-tahn tar-HEH-tahs) | Do you accept cards?

Always good to confirm before you start shopping!

 

¿Aceptan tarjeta?

Do you accept cards?

Caption 62, Natalia de Ecuador Ordenar en un restaurante

 Play Caption

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Shopping in Spanish: Practical Scenarios

Let's put this vocabulary into context with some practical examples you might encounter:

 

Buying clothes:

 

¿Tiene esta camisa en talla mediana?

Do you have this shirt in size medium?

 

Asking about price:

 

¿Cuánto cuestan estos zapatos?

How much do these shoes cost?

 

At the supermarket:

 

¿Dónde están las frutas y verduras?

Where are the fruits and vegetables?

 

Paying:

 

¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

Can I pay with a card?

 

Returning an item:

 

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!

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Giving Advice in Spanish

Do you know how to give advice in Spanish? Today's lesson will give you some advice... on ways to give advice in Spanish!

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How Do You Say "Advice" in Spanish?

While the noun for "advice" in Spanish is consejo, in contrast to the English equivalent (an uncountable noun that does not change forms in the plural), the concept of general "advice" in Spanish can be conveyed with either the singular consejo or the plural form, consejos. Let's look at an example of each:

 

Entonces como consejo sano, ¿verdad? Tú mismo decir...

So as sound advice, right? You yourself saying...

Caption 54, Cuentas claras - Sobreviviendo enero

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¿Qué consejos le darías a un turista que viene a Barcelona?

What advice would you give to a tourist who's coming to Barcelona?

Caption 51, Carlos y Xavi - Part 4 Tradiciones y comida de Barcelona

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That said, when a definite or indefinite article (el, un, unos or los) or quantifying term like a number appears before this noun to refer to specific advice, the word consejo can sometimes be interpreted as a "piece of advice" or "tip," as in the following captions:

 

Es como un consejo de sentido común de la vida. 

It's like a piece of common sense advice in life.

Caption 49, Verónica - "Reprogramación psicocorporal"

 Play Caption
 

Pues, hoy les traemos cuatro consejos muy sencillos.

Well, today we bring you four very simple tips.

Caption 6, Natalia de Ecuador - Consejos: haciendo amigos como adultos

 Play Caption

 

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Verbs for Giving Advice in Spanish

The verb that means "to give advice" in Spanish is aconsejar, which, when addressed to a specific person or people, can also mean "to advise" or "recommend":

 

Así que les aconsejo que aprendan los primeros diez ordinales

So, I advise you to learn the first ten ordinals,

ya que son muy útiles. 

as they are very useful.

Caption 51, Carlos explica - Los Números: Números Ordinales

 Play Caption

 

Now, let's look at some additional "advice verbs" in Spanish:
 

Sugerir (to suggest)

 

les sugiero que visiten el sugestivo Museo del oro. 

I suggest that you visit the intriguing Gold Museum.

Caption 34, Aprendiendo con Carlos - América precolombina - Mitos y leyendas Muiscas

 Play Caption

 

Recomendar (to recommend)

 

Yo te recomiendo leer mucho en español para mejorar tu nivel. 

recommend you read a lot in Spanish to improve your level.

Captions 64-65, El Aula Azul - Mis libros preferidos

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Proponer (to suggest)

 

os propongo que vengáis a visitar Genalguacil. 

suggest you come to visit Genalguacil.

Caption 67, Viajando con Fermín - Genalguacil

 Play Caption

 

Now that you are familiar with these terms, here are a few rules of thumb for "advice verbs" like the ones we have just seen:

 
1. An indirect object pronoun (like leste, etc.) will often but not always be present to indicate "to whom" the advice is being given. 
 
2. "Advice verbs" are often followed by the conjunction que + a verb in the subjunctive mood.
 
3. In the absence of the word que, the "advice verb" is typically followed by a verb in the infinitive.
 
 

"Should" or "Must" Verbs in Spanish

Since giving advice in Spanish is all about telling someone your opinion about what they "should" (or shouldn't) or "must" (or mustn't) do, let's now examine a few additional "advice verbs" in Spanish that express just that! Keep in mind that while our initial "advice verbs" were conjugated in the first person, the conjugations in this group will correspond to the many Spanish ways to say "you." 

 

Deber + infinitive

The verb deber + the infinitive tells someone what they "must" or "have to" do and is thus useful for giving advice in Spanish. 

 

Ustedes deben permanecer juntos, felices. 

You have to stay together, happy.

Caption 44, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante - Capítulo 2

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Note that when the verb deber is conjugated in the Spanish conditional form, it is the equivalent of the English "should":

 

Adrián, deberías tomar las pastillas que te di. 

Adrian, you should take the pills that I gave you.

Caption 40, El Aula Azul - La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y condicional

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Tener que + infinitive 

Since the Spanish verb tener que also means "to have to," it is often used along with the infinitive to give advice in Spanish:

 

Tienes que saber siempre muy bien cuál es tu límite. 

You always have to know very well what your limit is.

Caption 56, Ana Teresa - Yoga y surf

 Play Caption

 

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Phrases for Giving Advice in Spanish

Yet another way to give advice in Spanish is through fixed expressions, whose English translations are the exact equivalents of some English advice-giving phrases with which you are probably familiar. Let's take a look!

 

¿Por qué no...? (Why don't you...?)

 

"Por qué no aprendes a tocar guitarra?"

"Why don't you learn to play the guitar?"

Caption 67, Alberto Jiménez - Causalidad

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Si yo fuera tú + conditional (If I were you, I would...)

 

Bueno, si yo fuera tú, hablaría con él.

Well, if I were you, I would speak with him.

Caption 24, El Aula Azul - La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y condicional

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By the way, this utterance falls into the category of the second conditional in Spanish that employs the imperfect subjunctive and conditional tenses to describe what "would" happen if some condition "were" in place. 

 

Hay Que + infinitive (It's necessary to... (do some action))

 

¡Hay que probarla! No, yo creo que sí. 

You have to try it! No, I think so.

Caption 22, Cleer y Lida - El regreso de Lida

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Although hay que is an impersonal expression that means "it's necessary," it takes on the meaning of "you have to" in the context of giving advice in Spanish.
 

Lo mejor es... (The best thing is...)

 

Por ahora lo mejor es que descanse.

For now, the best thing is for you to rest.

Caption 18, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante - Capítulo 1

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Es mejor... (It's better...)

 

Por eso es mejor evitar que la ira tome el control.

That's why it's better to avoid [letting] anger take control.

Caption 42, Aprendiendo con Silvia - Las emociones

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As with our first set of "advice verbs," the verb that follows these impersonal expressions in the last two examples will be either in the infinitive or subjunctive, depending upon whether or not it follows the conjunction que

 

Using Commands to Give Advice in Spanish

And finally, another method for giving advice in Spanish is simply telling someone what to do! For this purpose, we recommend that you learn or review the Spanish imperative mood, which includes both informal commands and formal commands. For now, let's take a look at a pair of examples of familiar commands in Spanish, one negative and one positive, that are used to give advice in Spanish in the following captions:

 

No tengas miedo de tomar la iniciativa.

Don't be afraid to take the initiative.

Caption 20, Natalia de Ecuador - Consejos: haciendo amigos como adultos

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Evita beber desde media tarde bebidas estimulantes

Avoid drinking, starting from mid-afternoon, stimulant drinks

como el café, el té o bebidas con cola. Mm-hm.

like coffee, tea, or cola drinks. Mm-hmm.

Captions 24-25, Aprendiendo con Silvia - Consejos para dormir mejor

 Play Caption

 

That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has given you a lot of ideas about how to give advice in Spanish. Can you think of any more? Don't forget to write us with your suggestions, comments... or advice!

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Todos los Significados (All the Meanings) of the Word Todo in Spanish

In this lesson, we're going to look at todos los usos y significados (all of the uses and meanings) of the word todo in Spanish. Well, maybe not all of them... but a lot!

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What Part of Speech is the Word Todo in Spanish?

Primero que todo (first of all), we'd like to say that the Spanish word todo and its feminine and plural equivalents have many meanings including "all," "whole," "every," "each," "everyone," and more, depending upon the context in which they are utilized. Actually, while todo and its alternate forms most commonly function as an adjective or a pronoun, they can also function as an adverb or even a noun. Let's examine how this word works in each of these cases, its various translations into English, and several idiomatic expressions that employ it. 

 

Todo as an Adjective

Let's recall that an adjective modifies, or describes, a noun. When the word todo functions as an adjective, it must agree in number and gender with the noun it modifies. We must thus choose between its masculine singular (todo), masculine plural (todos), feminine singular (toda) or feminine plural (todas) forms, placing it either directly in front of either a noun, a noun's direct article, or a possessive adjective. Let's look at some examples:

 

No, en España, el español se parece mucho en todo el país.

No, in Spain, Spanish is a lot alike in the whole country.

Captions 5-6, Carlos y Xavi Part 4 Tradiciones y comida de Barcelona

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Although the literal translation of todo el país would be "all the country," common ways to say todo el in English include "the whole" or "the entire." Thus, an alternative translation for this sentence might be: "No, in Spain, Spanish is a lot alike in the entire country." Let's look at an additional example:

 

La asistente le dará una tarjeta con toda la información

The assistant will give you a card with all the information

Caption 42, Cita médica La cita médica de Cleer - Part 2

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Note that in this example, the feminine singular form toda has the more straightforward translation "all." Let's move on to some plural examples:

 

Invitamos a todos sus amigos al karaoke

We invite all her friends to karaoke

Caption 44, Blanca y Mariona Planificación de cena

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Note that while, in the sentence above, the plural form is translated to "all," in other cases, it can be translated as "every":

 

Salimos todas las noches.

We go out every night.

Caption 20, Clara y Cristina Hablan de actividades

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In other cases, either translation could suffice:

 

Feliz tarde, amigos de Yabla de todos los países del mundo.

Happy afternoon, Yabla friends from every country in the world.

Caption 2, Adícora, Venezuela El tatuaje de Rosana

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An alternative translation could, of course, be: "Happy afternoon, Yabla friends from all the countries in the world."

 

Todo as a Pronoun

The definition of a pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Hence, when the word todo is used a pronoun in Spanish, it must match the number/gender of the noun to which it refers. Let's look at a simple example: 

 

¿Cuá​nta torta comiste? -Me la comí toda.

How much cake did you eat? -I ate it all

But:

 

¿Cuá​ntos caramelos comiste? -Todos.

How much candies did you eat? -All of them. 

 

Let's take a look at an example from the Yabla video library where todas replaces a plural feminine noun (las estaciones/the seasons):

 

Creo que es la mejor estación de todas

I think that it's the best season of all.

Caption 22, Clara explica El tiempo - Part 1

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Todo on its own is also the equivalent of the English word "everything":

 

Sí, Lucio me cuenta todo.

Yes, Lucio tells me everything.

Caption 30, Yago 12 Fianza - Part 2

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The plural todos, on the other hand, means "everybody" or "everyone":

 

porque es información nueva para todos.

because it's new information for everyone.

Caption 60, Clase Aula Azul Información con subjuntivo e indicativo - Part 4

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In fact, the title of a recent Yabla video, Todo es de todos (Everything Belongs to Everyone) employs both of those terms. However, note the difference in translation for todos in the following example:

 

¿De ahí saldrá el aguacate que todos conocemos? -Claro. 

The avocado that we all know will come from there? -Sure.

Caption 57, 75 minutos Del campo a la mesa - Part 17

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Although "The avocado that everyone knows will come from there?" could be a viable translation, the fact that the verb conocer (to know) has been translated in the first person plural (nosotros/"we") form makes "we all" a legitimate (and perhaps more explanatory) translation. 

 

Todo as an Adverb

When todo functions as an adverb, it is typically used to make emphatic statements. Possible translations include "really," "completely," "all," or "totally." For example, one might say: El chico se veía todo lindo (The guy looked really good) or Mi habitación está toda desordenada (My room is totally messy). Let's look at an example from the Yabla video library:

 

¡Yo te vi, yo te vi toda llena de barro!

I saw you! I saw you all covered in mud!

Caption 41, Yago 3 La foto - Part 5

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Todo as a Noun

As a noun, el todo means "the whole" and can be seen in the translation for Aristotle's famous sentence:

 

El todo es más que la suma de las partes.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 

 

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Top Ten Common Spanish Expressions with Forms of the WordTodo

And speaking of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, let's examine some common Spanish idioms that include forms of the word todo with meanings beyond their literal words.

 

1Todo el mundo

While todo el mundo literally means "all the world" or "the whole/entire world," this phrase is an extremely common way of expressing the idea of "everybody" or "everyone" in Spanish:

 

Todo el mundo puede tocar el tambor donde, cuando y como quiera- mayores, niños, mujeres,

Everybody can play the drum wherever, whenever, and however they want- older people, children, women,

Captions 47-49, Viernes Santo en Tobarra ¡La Cuna del Tambor! - Part 1

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2. Todo el día

Literally "all the day," the notion of "all day" is encompassed by the Spanish expression todo el día:

 

¿Todo el día? El tiempo que quieras.

All day? As long as you want.

Captions 103-104, Alan x el mundo Mi playa favorita de México! - Part 2

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3. Todos los días

The plural form todos los días ("all the days"), on the other hand, means "every day":

 

Además, la vemos todos los días.

Besides, we see it every day.

Caption 11, Guillermina y Candelario Una aventura extrema - Part 2

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4. Sobre todo

Like it sounds, the Spanish phrase sobre todo can indeed mean "above all" or "above everything." Additional, frequent translations include "mostly," "mainly," and "especially":

 

Primero, sobre todo si es tu primera tarjeta de crédito, eh... es recomendable que el... que el límite no sea mayor a tus ingresos. 

First, especially if it is your first credit card, um... it is recommendable for the... for the limit not to be greater than your income.

Captions 51-52, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 3

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5. En todo caso 

Even though the literal meaning of en todo caso is "in all case," it is the Spanish equivalent of the English expression "in any case":
 

En todo caso, espero que a partir de hoy, se sientan más cómodos usando las redes sociales en español.

In any case, I hope that starting from today, you feel more comfortable using social networks in Spanish.

Captions 53-54, Carlos explica Internet y lenguaje digital: Redes sociales

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6. Por todos lados 

Por todos lados might seem to mean "around all sides," but it really means "everywhere": 

 

Mili, ¿Dónde estabas? Te estuve buscando por todos lados.

Mili, where were you? I was looking for you everywhere.

Caption 16, Muñeca Brava 45 El secreto - Part 10

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7. De todas formas

De todas formas in Spanish means not "of all shapes," but is rather a manner of saying "anyway":

 

Bueno, de todas formas, mire, el tipo se está haciendo pasar por Pierre Bernard.

Well, anyway, look, the guy is posing as Pierre Bernard.

Caption 7, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 8

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The similar Spanish expressions de todas maneras and de todos modos also mean "anyway," "anyhow," or "in any case." 

 

8. De todo

The phrase de todo ("of everything") is another way to say "everything" in Spanish:

 

Aquí tiene de todo, perro, oveja...

Here, they have everything: [a] dog, sheep...

Caption 1, 75 minutos Del campo a la mesa - Part 6

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9. Del todo

Del todo ("of the whole"), on the other hand, means "completely" or "entirely"':

 

Quizás l'... la relación más equilibrada que yo he buscado no ha pasado del todo y ahora me siento un poquito sola

Maybe th'... the more balanced relationship that I've looked for hasn't completely happened, and now I feel a little bit lonely

Captions 19-20, El reencuentro Las amigas hablan del trabajo y el amor.

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For additional examples of this expression and more, we recommend the lesson En absoluto, de ninguna manera, del todo.

 

10. Todo recto

And finally, if you want to tell someone to go "straight ahead," todo recto (literally "all straight") is the way to go in Spanish:

 

Tiene que ir todo recto. -Sí.

You have to go straight ahead. -Yes.

Caption 17, Curso de español ¿Hay una escuela por aquí?

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These are just a smattering of the many Spanish expressions that incorporate forms of todo that can be heard in everyday Spanish. ¡Sería imposible nombrarlos todos (It would be imposible to name them all)! That said:

 

Eso es todo por hoy, amigos. 

That's all for today, friends.

Caption 56, Ana Carolina Símbolos de Navidad

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For additional information on expressions that include the Spanish word todo, we recommend the additional lesson When Nada (Nothing) is Todo (Everything). In the meantime, gracias por todo (thanks for everything), and don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments.

 

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The Verb Volver

Although the verb volver is most often translated as "to return," it can actually take on a variety of meanings. Let's take a look at some of the many ways native Spanish speakers might use it in real-life situations. 

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The Basic Concept

Typically, the verb volver means "to return" or "come back." Like other Spanish verbs, it is very commonly used in its infinitive form in combination with such verbs as querer (to want) or ir (to go). Learning how to use the infinitive form of verbs within such phrases is actually very useful— particuarly if you haven't yet mastered the conjugation of such irregular verbs. Let's first take a look at volver in the infinitive: 

 

No quiero volver al hotel y

I don't want to go back to the hotel, and

el apartamento me gusta.

I like the apartment.

Captions 18-19, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3

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Nada... voy a volver a última hora de la tarde, nada más.

None... I'm going to come back late in the afternoon, that's all.

Caption 54, Muñeca Brava - 9 Engaños

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Using Volver to Indicate Repetition (As "Again")

The verb volver can also be combined with other Spanish verbs to indicate the English concepts of "over" or "again." 

 

Pues espero volver a verte pronto

Well, I hope to see you again soon

Caption 93, Blanca y Mariona - Vida en general

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The infinitive, volver, with the preposition a (literally "to," "at," etc.) can be linked with other Spanish verbs in phrases such as volver a vernos (to see each other again), volver a empezar (to start over), volver a entrar (to reenter), etc. Let's take a look at such examples of the formula, volver + + infinitive, where volver has been conjugated:

 

Pero bueno, cuando pueda,

But well, when I can,

me vuelvo a inscribir en otro gimnasio y me meto.

I'll sign up at another gym again, and I'll go.

Caption 29, Patricia Marti - Diversión y Ejercicio

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Doblamos un pliego de papel china naranja a la mitad

We fold a sheet of orange tissue paper in half

y volvemos a doblar a la mitad.

and we fold it in half again.

Captions 65-66, Manos a la obra - Papel picado para Día de muertos

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The Pronominal Form: Volverse

The verb, volver, also has a pronominal form: volverse, which can take on such diverse meanings as "to turn around," "to become," "to turn upside down," "to turn inside out," and "to go back," among others. Let's look at a few examples where volverse means "to become":

 

Porque nunca ha estudiado con niñas

Because he has never studied with girls

y como el colegio se volvió mixto, está temblando.

and since the school became mixed, he is shaking.

Caption 38, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 1

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Entonces, el asunto se vuelve más complicado.

So, the issue becomes more complicated.

Caption 32, Cuentas claras - Sobreviviendo enero

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La diferencia de edad también se puede apreciar en el pico,

The age difference can also be seen in the beak,

que también se vuelve de color más rosáceo con la edad.

which also becomes more pinkish with age.

Captions 50-51, Rosa - Laguna Fuente de Piedra

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Finally, the expression volverse loco or loca is very often used when people want to say that someone went crazy:

 

¿Mi hija se volvió loca, Papá?

Did my daughter go crazy, Dad?

Caption 28, Yago - 6 Mentiras

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That's all for today. We hope you liked this lesson, and don't forget to send us your comments and suggestions.