Shopping in Spanish: Your Go-To Guide for Vocab

Traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or hoping to use your Spanish at a local shop or market? Whether you’re stepping into a cozy tienda, wandering through a street market, or navigating a big supermercado, knowing a few key phrases can make the experience so much smoother.

In this guide, we’ll share practical vocabulary and phrases you’re most likely to use while shopping—like asking for prices, finding what you need, and chatting with store staff. No need for perfect grammar—just a few handy phrases and a little confidence go a long way.

Start small, pick a few phrases that feel useful, and build from there. Let’s get to it.

Types of Stores in Spanish

When you’re in a new place, just figuring out where to go can be half the challenge. In many Spanish-speaking countries, small shops tend to be more specialized than you might expect. Instead of one big store that sells everything, you’ll often see separate places for bread, meat, produce, and more.

Once you know these words, it’s easier to recognize different stores and find what you need:

• Tienda – shop or store (general term)

• Supermercado – supermarket

• Mercado – market (indoor or open-air)

• Panadería – bakery

• Carnicería – butcher shop

• Frutería – fruit shop

• Farmacia – pharmacy

• Librería – bookstore

• Zapatería – shoe store

• Tienda de ropa – clothing store

As you learn these, you’ll start noticing them on signs and storefronts—like Farmacia Central or Panadería Rosita. Over time, they’ll feel more familiar, and you’ll be able to spot the right place at a glance.

Where to Find What You Need

You might know what you’re looking for—a bakery, a clothing shop—but not exactly where to find it. A few simple questions can help you ask for directions and find your way, especially in an unfamiliar area.

Here are some handy phrases to get started:

• Disculpe, ¿puedo hacer una pregunta? – Excuse me, can I ask a question?

• ¿Dónde está la panadería? – Where’s the bakery?

• Busco una tienda de ropa. – I’m looking for a clothing store.

• ¿Cómo llego al mercado? – How do I get to the market?

• ¿Dónde puedo encontrar…? – Where can I find…?

• ¿En qué piso está…? – What floor is it on?

A simple gracias goes a long way. Most people will appreciate the effort, even if your Spanish isn’t perfect.

Must-Know Spanish Shopping Phrases

Once you’re in the store, it’s your chance to put your Spanish to use. Asking questions, checking prices, paying—it’s all part of the experience. With a few key phrases in your pocket, you can keep the interaction simple and smooth.

Try these phrases next time you’re out shopping—they’ll come in handy:

Need something? Try these:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much does this cost?

• ¿Tiene esto en otra talla? – Do you have this in another size?

• Estoy buscando… – I’m looking for…

• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? – Can I pay with card?

• ¿Aceptan efectivo? – Do you accept cash?

• ¿Está en oferta? – Is this on sale?

• ¿Tiene esto en stock? – Do you have this in stock?

Polite phrases to sprinkle in:

• por favor – please

• gracias – thank you

• solo estoy mirando – I’m just browsing

• algo más – anything else?

• eso es todo, gracias – that’s all, thank you

• disculpe – excuse me

• con permiso – excuse me (to pass by)

You’ll likely find yourself using these again and again.

Clothes Shopping in Spanish

Clothes shopping is one of the most fun ways to practice your Spanish. You’re pointing, asking questions, trying things on—and using real words in the moment. It’s a great way to build confidence.

Here are the words and phrases that’ll help you ask about sizes, colors, and how things fit:

Some words you’ll see on tags and signs:

• camiseta – t-shirt

• camisa – shirt

• pantalones – pants

• jeans / vaqueros – jeans

• falda – skirt

• vestido – dress

• abrigo – coat

• chaqueta – jacket

• zapatos – shoes

• sandalias – sandals

• traje / esmoquin – suit / tux

• gorro / sombrero – winter hat / sunhat

• guantes – gloves

• bufanda – scarf

And phrases for trying things on or asking questions:

• ¿Tiene esto en talla M? – Do you have this in size M?

• ¿Lo tienes en otro color? – Do you have it in another color?

• ¿Puedo probarme esto? – Can I try this on?

• ¿Dónde están los probadores? – Where are the fitting rooms?

• Me queda bien / mal. – It fits well / badly.

• ¿Tiene una talla más grande / más pequeña? – Do you have a bigger/smaller size?

• Queda muy grande/pequeño. – It’s too big/small.

• Lo llevo. – I’ll take it.

Grocery Shopping in Spanish

Grocery shopping is an easy way to use the Spanish you already know and pick up some new words as you go. Whether you’re grabbing basics or filling your basket at a local market, it’s a low-pressure way to practice in real life.

Words you’ll spot on labels and signs:

• pan – bread

• leche – milk

• agua – water

• huevos – eggs

• frutas – fruits

• verduras / vegetales – vegetables

• carne – meat

• pollo – chicken

• pescado – fish

• jamón – ham

• queso – cheese

• arroz – rice

• frijoles – beans

• azúcar / sal 

• sugar / salt

• aceite – oil

• jugo  – juice

And some phrases that come in handy while you shop:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta un kilo de plátanos? – How much is a kilo of bananas?

• ¿Tienen manzanas hoy? – Do you have apples today?

• Quisiera uno de esos. – I’d like one of those.

• ¿Dónde puedo encontrar los huevos? – Where can I find the eggs?

• ¿Cuánto eslun  litro de leche? – How much is a liter of milk?

• ¿Cuánto cuesta por unidad? – How much is it per item?

• ¿Está en oferta? – Is this on sale?

• ¿Tienen bolsas? – Do you have bags?

Simple greetings go a long way too. A quick hola when you enter, gracias when someone helps you, and con permiso if you need to pass by can make the whole experience smoother.

Checkout & Payment

Before you pay, you might want to check prices or ask about discounts—especially at markets or small shops. These phrases will help you handle both asking and paying with confidence.

To ask about prices:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much is this?

• ¿Qué precio tiene? – What’s the price?

• ¿Cuánto vale? – What’s it worth?

• ¿Es demasiado caro? – Is it too expensive?

• ¿Cuál es un precio justo? – What’s a fair price?

When you’re ready to pay:

• Lo llevo. – I’ll take it.

• Pago en efectivo. – I’ll pay in cash.

• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? – Can I pay with card?

• ¿Tiene cambio? – Do you have change?

• ¿Me da el recibo, por favor? – Can I have the receipt, please?

If you’re shopping at a street market or small stall:

• ¿Es el precio negociable? – Is the price negotiable?

• ¿Cuál es su mejor precio? – What’s your best price?

• ¿Me puede hacer un descuento? – Can you give me a discount?

At local markets, bargaining is often expected. But don’t do it at supermarkets or chain stores—it’s not the norm. If you’re unsure, just ask kindly. Your tone matters more than you think.

Summary: Your Spanish Shopping Survival Guide

You don’t need to be fluent to shop in Spanish. You just need a few helpful words and the courage to use them. It might feel a little awkward at first, but that’s how you grow.

These everyday phrases—asking for the fitting room, checking the price, chatting at checkout—can help you feel more confident every time you use them. Every little attempt adds up. So keep going, stay curious, and remember: mistakes are part of the process!

Bridge the Gap Spanish: Gentle Guidance, Real Conversations

Learning Spanish is so much easier when you can practice with someone patient and encouraging. That’s what Bridge the Gap Spanish is all about.

Our one-on-one lessons give you the chance to build real-world skills—like shopping, ordering food, or asking directions—with a kind, native-speaking conversation teacher who’ll guide you through conversations step by step.

The lessons are practical, warm, and designed to meet you where you are. No pressure, no memorization marathons, just real practice that builds confidence.

Ready to get started? Visit our website, choose the package that fits your goals, and sign up today!