10.3 Shopping vocabulary and expressions

Shopping for clothes in Spanish-speaking countries involves unique vocabulary and cultural norms. From specialty stores like la panadería and la zapatería to larger formats like el supermercado, knowing store types helps navigate shopping experiences.

Understanding how to ask for prices, express preferences, and engage in basic shopping conversations is crucial. Mastering these skills allows for smoother interactions, from trying on clothes to making purchases, enhancing your overall shopping experience in Spanish-speaking environments.

Vocabulary for stores

Types of specialty stores

• Spanish has specific vocabulary for different types of stores based on the products they sell
  • la tienda (store) is a general term for any type of store
  • la panadería (bakery) specializes in bread and baked goods
  • la carnicería (butcher shop) sells meat and poultry
  • la pescadería (fish market) offers fresh fish and seafood
  • la frutería (fruit store) carries a variety of fresh fruits
  • la verdulería (vegetable store) specializes in fresh vegetables
  • la farmacia (pharmacy) sells medications, health and beauty products
  • la librería (bookstore) offers books, magazines, and stationery
  • la zapatería (shoe store) specializes in footwear
  • la joyería (jewelry store) sells jewelry and watches

Larger store formats

• Vocabulary also exists for larger store formats that sell a wider range of products
  • el supermercado (supermarket) is a large self-service store selling groceries and household goods
  • el hipermercado (hypermarket) is an extra-large supermarket with an expanded selection
  • el centro comercial (shopping mall) is a collection of retail stores in one building or complex
  • el gran almacén (department store) is a large store offering a wide range of products organized into departments

Suffix -ería for specialty stores

• Spanish often uses the suffix -ería to denote a specialty store focused on a particular product category
  • la papelería (stationery store) sells paper products, office supplies, and writing materials
  • la pastelería (pastry shop) specializes in pastries, cakes, and sweet baked goods
  • la juguetería (toy store) offers toys, games, and children's playthings
  • la heladería (ice cream shop) sells ice cream and other frozen desserts
• Additional examples of -ería stores include la dulcería (candy store), la cervecería (beer store), la tortillería (tortilla shop), and la tintorería (dry cleaner)

Prices and numbers in shopping

Asking for prices

• To ask for the price of an item, use "¿Cuánto cuesta...?" or "¿Cuánto vale...?" followed by the item
  • "¿Cuánto cuestan los zapatos?" (How much do the shoes cost?)
  • "¿Cuánto vale este vestido?" (How much is this dress?)
• "Costar" means to cost and "valer" means to be worth or to have a price/value

Expressing and formatting prices

• Prices are expressed using numbers, with a comma used in place of a decimal point
  • $19.99 would be expressed as "19,99 dólares"
  • €8.50 would be written as "8,50 euros"
• For amounts under 2 dollars/euros, prices are often stated in céntimos (cents)
  • $1.75 could be stated as "un dólar con setenta y cinco céntimos"
• Above 2 dollars/euros, prices are typically stated in whole dólares/euros/pesos
  • $15 would simply be "quince dólares"

Using costar to state prices

• Spanish uses the verb costar (to cost) to state prices
  • "Los pantalones cuestan 39,99 dólares." (The pants cost $39.99)
  • "La entrada cuesta 12 euros." (The ticket costs 12 euros)
• Cuestan is used for plural items and cuesta for singular

Distinguishing similar numbers

• When hearing prices verbally, it's important to distinguish between numbers that sound similar
  • quince (15) vs. cincuenta (50)
  • treinta (30) vs. sesenta (60)
  • catorce (14) vs. cuarenta (40)
• Careful listening is required, and it may help to repeat the number back for confirmation

Preferences for clothing

Expressing likes and dislikes

• Use "Me gusta(n)..." to express that you like clothing items
  • The verb is singular (gusta) for a singular item but plural (gustan) for multiple items
  • "Me gusta la camisa." (I like the shirt)
  • "Me gustan los pantalones." (I like the pants)
• To express dislike, use "No me gusta(n)..." or stronger "Odio..." (I hate...)
  • "No me gusta este vestido." (I don't like this dress)
  • "Odio esos zapatos." (I hate those shoes)

Adjectives for describing clothes

• Adjectives are used to describe opinions and characteristics of clothing
  • They must match the item's gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural)
• Common adjectives include:
  • bonito/a (pretty), feo/a (ugly)
  • cómodo/a (comfortable), incómodo/a (uncomfortable)
  • barato/a (inexpensive), caro/a (expensive)
  • formal (formal), informal (casual)
  • elegante (elegant), sencillo/a (simple)
  • clásico/a (classic), moderno/a (modern)
  • de moda (fashionable), pasado/a de moda (outdated)

Making comparisons

• Comparisons are made with "más/menos...que" (more/less...than)
  • "Esta chaqueta es más elegante que esa." (This jacket is more elegant than that one)
  • "Estos vaqueros son menos caros que aquellos." (These jeans are less expensive than those)
• Tan...como is used for "as...as" comparisons
  • "Esta camisa es tan bonita como esa." (This shirt is as pretty as that one)

Asking for opinions

• To ask for others' opinions about clothing, use phrases like:
  • "¿Qué piensas de...?" (What do you think of...?)
  • "¿Cómo me queda...?" (How does...look on me? / How does...fit me?)
  • "¿Te gusta este color?" (Do you like this color?)
  • "¿Crees que esto es demasiado formal?" (Do you think this is too formal?)

Basic conversations for shopping

Greetings and asking for help

• Greet store employees using "Hola" (Hello) or "Buenos días/tardes" (Good morning/afternoon)
• Ask for help finding an item with:
  • "¿Dónde puedo encontrar...?" (Where can I find...?)
  • "Estoy buscando..." (I'm looking for...)
  • "¿Me puede ayudar a encontrar...?" (Can you help me find...?)
• "Por favor" (Please) and "Gracias" (Thank you) are important for politeness

Trying on and purchasing items

• Ask to try on clothing with "¿Puedo probar...?" (Can I try on...?)
  • Dressing rooms are called "probadores"
  • You may hear "¿Qué talla necesita?" (What size do you need?)
• To indicate you'll take an item: "Me lo/la llevo." (I'll take it/them)
  • Lo is used for masculine singular items and la for feminine singular
  • Use los/las for plural items
• Ask about payment methods:
  • "¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito/débito?" (Do you accept credit/debit cards?)
  • "¿Puedo pagar en efectivo?" (Can I pay in cash?)

Checkout interactions

• Understand basic questions from cashiers:
  • "¿Algo más?" (Anything else?)
  • "¿Bolsa de plástico?" (Plastic bag?)
  • "¿Necesita un recibo?" (Do you need a receipt?)
  • "¿Tiene un código postal?" (Do you have a ZIP code?)
• Express thanks with "Gracias" or "Muchas gracias" (Thank you very much)
• End the interaction with "Adiós" (Goodbye) or "Hasta luego" (See you later)