Shopping - Spanish (Mexico)

Verbs to Describe Shopping 🛍️

Shopping involves a range of activities that can be described with specific verbs.

• Ahorrar is about setting aside money for future purchases. It's essential when planning to buy something significant like a car or a house.
• Comprar is the action of acquiring products or services, whether online or in-store.
• How much something cuesta will determine your purchasing decisions. If a price is too high, you might need to save more or seek alternatives.
• Gastar refers to the money spent during these transactions.
• Mirar is often used when browsing products, a common activity before choosing what to buy.
• Pagar is the act of completing a purchase by handing over money, using a credit card, or making an online transaction.
• When you probar a product, you test it to see if it suits your needs or expectations.
• Usar involves making use of the purchased products in daily life.
• Vender is the action undertaken by shops or individuals who offer products in exchange for money.

Examples:

• Necesito ahorrar para comprar una computadora nueva.
• Este mes he gastado mucho en ropa.
• Me gusta mirar las vitrinas antes de decidirme a comprar algo.
• El vendedor me ha ofrecido probar el nuevo perfume.

Reflexive Verbs in Shopping

Reflexive verbs are key when preparing for a shopping trip, especially if it's a social outing.

• Arreglarse involves getting ready, perhaps putting on stylish clothes for an outing to el centro comercial.
• Ducharse might be part of your routine before heading out.
• You might encontrarse with friends or family at a designated spot to shop together.
• Maquillarse could be part of getting ready for the day.
• When you probarse clothes, it’s about trying them on to see how they fit.
• Vestirse means putting on clothes selected for the occasion.

Examples:

• Me voy a arreglar para ir al centro comercial.
• Quiero probarme ese vestido antes de comprarlo.
• Nos vamos a encontrar en la joyería a las seis de la tarde.

Places to Shop

Different products require different shopping venues:

• La carnicería is where you buy fresh meat.
• At el centro comercial, you can find various shops offering a wide range of products, from gadgets to clothing.
• For medications, la farmacia is essential.
• Visit la ferretería for tools or home improvement supplies.
• Looking for a special gift? La joyería has valuable items like rings and necklaces.
• Fresh bread is best purchased at la panadería.
• For everyday items, la tienda serves as a convenient stop.

Examples:

• Voy a la carnicería a comprar carne para la cena.
• El centro comercial está lleno de ofertas hoy.
• Necesito ir a la farmacia por unas medicinas.

Purchase and Return of Products

Understanding these terms is crucial for smooth transactions:

• Carry items in la bolsa, typically provided at checkout in la caja.
• If you're unsure about a product, check la etiqueta for details.
• A descuento or oferta can make a difference in price, lowering el precio.
• Keep el recibo as proof of purchase, useful if you need to make una devolución.
• When returning items, ensure el cambio is processed correctly.
• La propina is often given in gratitude for service but not usually expected in all retail situations.
• Customers may evaluate purchases through la reseña, la recomendación, or la puntuación on various platforms.

Examples:

• La compra de hoy incluye un descuento del 20%.
• Si no te gusta el producto, puedes devolverlo con el recibo.
• La etiqueta dice que este artículo está en oferta.