Shopping in Spanish

Shopping Basics

First, let’s cover a few essential words for shopping in Spanish!

Here are some examples!

Asking for Things

Generally speaking, a sales associate will approach you when you enter a store in a Spanish-speaking country. Let’s take a look at the most common questions and possible answers!

If someone doesn’t approach you, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. By asking questions, you will get out of the store faster and improve your Spanish skills in the meantime!

Here’s a list of phrases you can use when approaching a sales associate in a store. Make sure to say por favor(please) and gracias(thank you)!

Now let’s take a look at a snippet of dialogue between a vendedor(sales associate) and a cliente(customer).

Trying Things On and Talking About Sizes

Do you generally try things on before you buy them? Study this list of vocabulary so you’re prepared to communicate with the dressing room attendant.

Let’s take a look at some examples!

Using the Verbs Probarse and Quedar

Probarse(to try on) and quedar(to fit) are two commonly used verbs when shopping in a Spanish-speaking country.

Probarse is a reflexive verb, commonly used with direct object pronouns. When reflexive and direct object pronouns are used together in a sentence, the reflexive pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun.

Check out these examples!

Quedar is a verb like gustar used to talk about how things fit. It requires the use of an indirect object pronoun.

For example:

Money Matters!

To ask how much something is, use ¿Cuánto cuesta?(How much is it?) for a singular item and ¿Cuánto cuestan?(How much are they?) for a plural item.

For example:

Now let’s take a look at a few useful questions you’ll use or hear when you check out.