Why learn Spanish supermarket vocabulary? Going to the supermarket is one of the most common daily activities. For students learning Spanish, knowing how to do the shopping isn’t just useful – it’s also a fantastic opportunity to practise the language in a real-life situation.
In this article, we explain how to navigate a supermarket in Spain or any Spanish-speaking country: from entering the store to paying at the checkout.
What you need to know before you go
Before entering a supermarket, it’s helpful to know a few basics:
- Bring a reusable bag: In Spain, plastic bags are not free in most supermarkets.
- Have coins or a card ready: Some shopping trolleys require a coin (usually €1) to unlock them.
Supermarket layout
While each supermarket is different, the general layout is usually similar:
- Entrance: Some stores have a space to leave backpacks or trolleys.
- Aisles: Organised by product type (dairy, cleaning products, drinks, bakery, etc.).
- Fresh produce section: Butcher, fishmonger, fruit and veg.
- Checkout: Where you pay for your items.
- Self-service machines (in some supermarkets): You can pay without speaking to a cashier.
Useful vocabulary in the supermarket
Here’s a list of words you’ll hear or see while shopping:
| Trolley / basket: for carrying products | Carrito / cesta: para llevar los productos |
| Offer / discount / sale: lower price | Oferta / descuento / rebaja: precio más barato |
| Price per kilo / litre / unit | Precio por kilo / litro / unidad |
| Checkout: where you pay | Caja: el lugar donde pagas |
| Cashier: the person who charges you | Cajero / cajera: la persona que cobra |
| Receipt: proof of purchase | Ticket: el recibo de compra |
| Cash: physical money | Efectivo: dinero en metálico |
| Card: credit or debit card | Tarjeta: tarjeta de crédito o débito |
| Out of stock: no longer available | Producto agotado: ya no queda |
| Store brand: supermarket’s own brand (cheaper) | Marcas blancas: productos del propio supermercado (más baratos) |
| Expired: no longer safe to consume | Caducado: que ya no se puede consumir |
Useful phrases for shopping
These phrases will help you ask questions, request assistance, or interact with supermarket staff:
To ask for something:
| Where is the bread? | ¿Dónde está el pan? |
| Do you have lactose-free milk? | ¿Tienen leche sin lactosa? |
| Can you help me? I’m looking for brown rice. | ¿Me puede ayudar? Estoy buscando arroz integral. |
At the checkout:
| Hello, can I pay by card? | Hola, ¿puedo pagar con tarjeta? |
| Could I have a bag, please? | ¿Me puede dar una bolsa, por favor? |
| Do you have the receipt? | ¿Tiene el ticket? |
| Would you like a receipt? | ¿Quiere el recibo? |
| Thank you, goodbye. | Gracias, hasta luego. |
Example conversation using Spanish supermarket vocabulary
Here’s an example dialogue between a customer and a supermarket employee – a realistic situation you might encounter in any store.
| CUSTOMER: Excuse me, where is the rice? | CLIENTA: Disculpe, ¿dónde está el arroz? |
| EMPLOYEE: It’s in aisle 3, at the back, on the right. | TRABAJADORA: Está en el pasillo 3, al fondo, a la derecha. |
| CUSTOMER: Thank you. And the brown rice? | CLIENTA: Gracias. ¿Y el arroz integral? |
| EMPLOYEE: It’s next to the regular rice, on the lower shelf. | TRABAJADORA: Está junto al arroz normal, pero en la parte de abajo. |
| CUSTOMER: Perfect. Another question – do you have lactose-free milk? | CLIENTA: Perfecto. Y otra pregunta, ¿tienen leche sin lactosa? |
| EMPLOYEE: Yes, it’s in the refrigerated section, right opposite the yoghurt. | TRABAJADORA: Sí, está en la zona de refrigerados, justo enfrente del yogur. |
| CUSTOMER: Thank you very much. Do you have bags at the checkout? | CLIENTA: Muchas gracias. ¿Tienen bolsas en la caja? |
| EMPLOYEE: Yes, they cost 10 cents each. You can ask for one when you pay. | TRABAJADORA: Sí, cuestan 10 céntimos cada una. Puede pedirla cuando pague. |
| CUSTOMER: Alright, thanks. Very kind of you. | CLIENTA: Vale, gracias. Muy amable. |
AT THE CHECKOUT
| CASHIER: Hello, good afternoon. | CAJERO: Hola, buenas tardes. |
| CUSTOMER: Good afternoon. | CLIENTE: Buenas tardes. |
| CASHIER: Would you like a bag? | CAJERO: ¿Quiere bolsa? |
| CUSTOMER: Yes, please. One. | CLIENTE: Sí, por favor. Una. |
| CASHIER: That’ll be €12.30. | CAJERO: Son 12 euros con 30. |
| CUSTOMER: I’ll pay by card. | CLIENTE: Pago con tarjeta. |
| CASHIER: Perfect. Here’s your receipt. Thank you! | CAJERO: Perfecto. Aquí tiene el ticket. ¡Gracias! |
| CUSTOMER: Thank you. Goodbye. | CLIENTE: Gracias a usted. Hasta luego. |
Cultural tips for shopping in a supermarket in Spain
- Greet and say goodbye: It’s customary to say “hola” and “gracias” to staff, even when using a self-service checkout.
- Opening hours: Many supermarkets are open from 9:00 to 21:30.
- Sundays: In many places, supermarkets are closed on Sundays, except in tourist areas.
Conclusion
Knowing how to navigate a supermarket in Spanish is a very useful skill that will help you gain confidence and fluency. You don’t need an extensive vocabulary, but it’s important to know key phrases and typical expressions. Plus, it’s a great way to experience the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
So next time you go shopping…
