Must-Know Spanish Words for Shopping and Bargaining
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¡Hola, savvy shoppers! You're walking through a vibrant Spanish market—fruits piled high, colorful textiles catching the sun, the aroma of churros wafting through the air. You spot the perfect souvenir or that irresistible leather bag, but you freeze. How do you ask the price? Can you haggle a little? If only you had a few Spanish phrases up your sleeve! Don't worry—this blog has you covered. Knowing Spanish words can turn a shopping trip into a cultural adventure, whether in a bustling Barcelona boutique or a street market in Mexico City.
1. Basic Shopping Vocabulary
Start with these essentials to make any purchase smoother:
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Tienda – Shop/store
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Mercado – Market
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Dinero – Money
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Precio – Price
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Caja – Cash register/checkout
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Descuento – Discount
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Rebajas – Sales
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Oferta – Offer/deal
2. Useful Verbs for Shopping
These verbs will help you communicate what you want or ask for help:
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Comprar – To buy
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Buscar – To look for
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Costar – To cost
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Pagar – To pay
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Probar – To try (on)
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Querer – To want
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Tener – To have
Example: ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much does this cost?
3. Bargaining Phrases
In many Spanish-speaking countries, bargaining is part of the fun, especially in open markets. Use these phrases to negotiate with confidence:
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¿Me puede dar un mejor precio? – Can you give me a better price?
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¿Hay descuento? – Is there a discount?
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Está muy caro. – It's very expensive.
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¿Cuánto es lo menos? – What's the lowest price?
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Lo llevo si me lo deja en... – I’ll take it if you let me have it for...
4. Numbers You Should Know
Brush up on basic numbers so you can understand prices and make payments:
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1 – Uno
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5 – Cinco
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10 – Diez
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20 – Veinte
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50 – Cincuenta
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100 – Cien
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500 – Quinientos
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1,000 – Mil
5. At the Checkout
When you’re ready to pay:
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¿Aceptan tarjeta? – Do you accept cards?
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Solo efectivo. – Cash only
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Aquí tiene. – Here you go
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¿Me da una bolsa, por favor? – Can I have a bag, please?
Final Tip
Even a few polite words like por favor (please), gracias (thank you), and disculpe (excuse me) go a long way. Locals appreciate the effort and may even be more open to giving you a great deal!
