Shopping & Money
Asking and Understanding Prices
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? (one item) |
| ¿Cuánto es? | How much is it? (total, e.g. at checkout) |
| ¿Cuánto cuestan? | How much do they cost? (multiple items) |
| Son [amount] | It's/They are [amount] — the typical reply |
| Es muy caro | It's very expensive |
| Es muy barato | It's very cheap |
Example:
¿Cuánto cuesta esta camisa?
Son doscientos pesos.
¿Cuánto es todo?
Son quinientos pesos en total.
Currency and Payment Phrases
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Aceptan tarjeta? | Do you accept card? |
| Solo efectivo | Cash only |
| ¿Tiene cambio? | Do you have change? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| ¿Puedo pagar con dólares? | Can I pay with dollars? |
Basic Shopping Phrases
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solo estoy mirando, gracias | I'm just looking, thanks |
| ¿Me puede ayudar? | Can you help me? |
| Estoy buscando... | I'm looking for... |
| ¿Lo tienen en otro color? | Do you have it in another color? |
| Me lo llevo | I'll take it |
| ¿Puedo probármelo? | Can I try it on? |
| ¿Dónde está el probador? | Where is the fitting room? |
Example:
Buenas tardes, ¿en qué le puedo ayudar?
Solo estoy mirando, gracias. ...Disculpe, estoy buscando una chaqueta.
Claro, por aquí tenemos varias opciones.
Asking for Sizes, Colors, or Different Options
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| la talla | size (clothing) |
| el número | size (shoes) |
| ¿Tiene una talla más grande/pequeña? | Do you have a bigger/smaller size? |
| el color | color |
| ¿Tiene otro color? | Do you have another color? |
| ¿Tiene otro modelo? | Do you have another style? |
Bargaining Language (When Appropriate)
Bargaining is common and expected in open-air markets and with independent street vendors, but generally not appropriate in fixed-price stores, supermarkets, or malls — watch for a visible price tag as your cue.
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuál es su mejor precio? | What's your best price? |
| ¿Me puede hacer un descuento? | Can you give me a discount? |
| Es mucho, ¿qué tal [lower price]? | That's a lot, how about [lower price]? |
| Le doy [amount] | I'll give you [amount] |
| Trato hecho | Deal |
| Lo dejo así, gracias | I'll leave it, thanks (if walking away) |
Keep bargaining light and friendly — a smile and a bit of back-and-forth is part of the culture in markets, not confrontation.
Markets vs. Stores
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| el mercado | market |
| el mercado de artesanías | craft/artisan market |
| la tienda | store |
| el supermercado | supermarket |
| el centro comercial | mall |
| precio fijo | fixed price |
A mercado is generally where bargaining is welcome; a tienda or supermercado with precio fijo signage is not.
Practice Suggestion
Practice a market bargaining exchange out loud, starting with "¿Cuál es su mejor precio?" and working through at least one counter-offer, ending in "Trato hecho" or politely walking away with "Lo dejo así, gracias."
Next: Food & Restaurants