Learning how to shop is one of the most practical skills you'll need when traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country. Whether you're buying groceries at a local market, looking for souvenirs, or finding new clothes at the mall, this vocabulary is essential for everyday interactions. These words will help you ask for prices, understand what salespeople are saying, and complete your purchases with confidence. You'll notice many useful cognates in this list, like 'precio' (price) and 'tarjeta de crédito' (credit card), which makes them easy to remember. We will focus on common Latin American Spanish terms. For example, you'll hear 'plata' used for 'money' just as often as 'dinero', and 'tienda' is the go-to word for 'store'. Mastering these basic terms is your first step toward navigating the vibrant world of commerce in Latin America.
the store / the shop
Voy a la tienda a comprar leche. — I'm going to the store to buy milk.
the market
Compramos frutas frescas en el mercado. — We buy fresh fruit at the market.
the cash register / checkout
La caja está al final de la tienda. — The checkout is at the back of the store.
the customer / the client
La clienta necesita ayuda. — The customer needs help.
the salesperson / the vendor
to buy
Necesito comprar un regalo para mi amigo. — I need to buy a gift for my friend.
to sell
En esa tienda venden ropa bonita. — They sell nice clothes in that store.
to pay
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay with a card?
How much does it cost?
Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta esta camisa? — Excuse me, how much does this shirt cost?
the clothes
Me gusta comprar ropa en el centro comercial. — I like to buy clothes at the mall.
the size (for clothing)
¿Qué talla usa? — What size do you wear?
small
Quiero una camisa de talla pequeña. — I want a small size shirt.
medium
Prefiero la talla mediana, por favor. — I prefer a medium size, please.
big / large
Found this useful? Save it for later.
El vendedor es muy amable. — The salesperson is very friendly.
the fitting room / dressing room
¿Dónde está el probador? — Where is the fitting room?
open
La tienda está abierta hasta las nueve. — The store is open until nine.
closed
Lo siento, el banco está cerrado ahora. — I'm sorry, the bank is closed now.
the price
El precio es veinte dólares. — The price is twenty dollars.
expensive
Ese restaurante es muy caro. — That restaurant is very expensive.
cheap / inexpensive
Busco un hotel barato cerca del centro. — I'm looking for a cheap hotel near downtown.
the money
No tengo mucho dinero ahora. — I don't have much money right now.
the money (colloquial, LatAm)
Necesito más plata para el viaje. En muchos países de Latinoamérica, 'plata' es más común que 'dinero'. — I need more money for the trip. In many Latin American countries, 'plata' is more common than 'dinero'.
the cash
¿Paga en efectivo o con tarjeta? — Are you paying with cash or card?
the credit / debit card
Yo siempre pago con la tarjeta de crédito. — I always pay with the credit card.
the discount
¿Hay algún descuento para estudiantes? — Is there a discount for students?
the offer / the sale
¡Esta camisa está en oferta! — This shirt is on sale!
to look for
Busco unos pantalones negros. — I'm looking for some black pants.
to need
Necesito comprar zapatos nuevos. — I need to buy new shoes.
the receipt
Guarde el recibo por si necesita cambiar algo. — Keep the receipt in case you need to exchange something.
Necesito una bolsa más grande. — I need a bigger bag.
the bag
¿Necesita una bolsa? — Do you need a bag?
the gift / the present
Esto es un regalo para ti. — This is a gift for you.