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🛒 Spanish phrases for the supermarket in Spain: speak like a local

Updated: Sep 11

Spanish phrases for the supermarket

Are you traveling to Spain or planning to move soon? Knowing how to get around in a Spanish supermarket can make a big difference in your everyday life. In this guide, we’ll teach you the most useful Spanish phrases for the supermarket to shop like a local. Plus, we’ll explain cultural habits and real expressions you won’t find in a textbook. Grab your cart—let’s start learning!


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🧭 Why is it important to learn these Spanish phrases for the supermarket?


If you're living or spending time in Spain, the supermarket becomes part of your daily routine. And it’s not just about knowing product names. You also need to know:


  • How to ask for quantities

  • How to speak with staff

  • How to understand sales signs

  • And how to pay properly


This practical vocabulary will make you feel more confident and independent in real situations and help you sound more natural when speaking Spanish.



🧀 Phrases to use in each section of the supermarket


🥦 1. Fruits and Vegetables (frutería / verdulería)

🍎 ¿Cuánto cuestan las manzanas? – How much are the apples?


🥬 ¿Me pone medio kilo, por favor? – Can I have half a kilo, please?


🍌 ¿Puedo cogerlas yo o me las da usted? – Can I take them myself, or will you hand them to me?



Useful phrases:


  • Quiero un kilo de naranjas. – I’d like one kilo of oranges.

  • ¿Están maduras estas peras? – Are these pears ripe?

  • ¿Tienen fresas hoy? – Do you have strawberries today?


🎓 Cultural tip: In some supermarkets, you serve yourself, but in others—especially small stores or markets—you must ask the clerk to help you.



🥩 2. Deli and Butcher (charcutería y carnicería)


🧀 ¿Me pone 200 gramos de queso curado? – Can I have 200 grams of aged cheese?


🥓 ¿Tiene jamón serrano? ¿Cuánto vale el kilo? – Do you have Iberian ham? How much is it per kilo?


🍖 ¿Puede cortarlo muy fino, por favor? – Can you slice it very thin, please?



Useful phrases:


  • Quiero dos filetes de ternera. – I’d like two beef steaks.

  • ¿Está en oferta el pollo hoy? – Is the chicken on sale today?

  • ¿Puede prepararlo para congelar? – Can you prep it for freezing?


🎓 Language tip: It’s common to use the verb 'poner' to ask for quantities in these sections, and to order in grams or slices.



🐟 3. Fish Market (pescadería)

🐠 ¿Me limpia el pescado, por favor? – Can you clean the fish for me, please?


🦐 Quiero medio kilo de gambas congeladas. – I’d like half a kilo of frozen shrimp.


🐟 ¿Este pescado es fresco o congelado? – Is this fish fresh or frozen?



Useful phrases:


  • ¿Qué pescado me recomienda para hacer al horno? – What fish do you recommend for baking?

  • ¿Está bien para hoy o para mañana? – Is it good for today or tomorrow?


🎓 Local note: In many fish shops, they’ll clean and prepare the fish however you want—for oven, grill, fillets, etc.



🧼 4. Aisles and packaged goods

🥫 ¿Dónde está el arroz? – Where is the rice?


🧴 ¿Tienen detergente líquido? – Do you have liquid detergent?


🥛 ¿Esta leche es entera o semidesnatada? – Is this whole milk or low-fat?



Useful phrases:


  • Estoy buscando pan de molde integral. – I’m looking for whole wheat sandwich bread.

  • ¿Tienen leche sin lactosa? – Do you have lactose-free milk?

  • ¿Dónde están los huevos? – Where are the eggs?


🎓 Heads-up: Some common words in Spain may differ from what you know. For example, zumo (juice), guisantes (peas), patatas (potatoes).



💳 5. At the checkout: paying and saying goodbye

🛍️ ¿Quieres bolsa? – Do you want a bag?


💳 ¿Vas a pagar con tarjeta o en efectivo? – Will you pay with card or cash?


🧾 ¿Quieres el ticket? – Do you want the receipt?



Useful phrases:


  • No necesito bolsa, gracias. – I don’t need a bag, thanks.

  • Con tarjeta, por favor. – With card, please.

  • ¿Puedo usar esta tarjeta de puntos? – Can I use this store card?


🎓 Quick tip:


  • Many supermarkets now have self-checkout stations.

  • It's common to greet the cashier with 'hola' and say goodbye with 'gracias' or 'hasta luego'.



🧠 Bonus phrases for special situations


  • ¿Hay descuento si compro dos? – Is there a discount if I buy two?

  • No encuentro el precio. – I can’t find the price.

  • ¿Tienen productos sin gluten? – Do you have gluten-free products?

  • ¿Puedo devolverlo si no me gusta? – Can I return it if I don’t like it?



🎥 Real Spanish at the Supermarket: Watch & Learn


Learning Spanish is easier when you see it in action. That’s why we’ve added a real conversation in the supermarket, straight from our Instagram. 🛒✨


👉 In this video, you’ll see how native speakers interact while shopping, with useful phrases and everyday vocabulary that you can start using right away.



💡 Tip: Watch the video, repeat the expressions, and try them out next time you go shopping.



📚 Mini exercise to practice






🧠 Did these phrases seem easy?

Let’s find out your real Spanish level!


You might feel confident at the supermarket, but what about other everyday situations?


🎯 Take our free Spanish level test and find out where you really stand.

💬 Plus, you'll get the chance to book a trial class with a native teacher from our team to keep improving.


Learning real-life Spanish has never been this easy (or this fun)!


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💬 And you? What’s the most useful Spanish phrase you've used (or heard) in a supermarket?


Tell us in the comments!

👇 We'd love to know your experience or which phrase surprised you the most.


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