A2 vocabulary guide
Spanish shopping vocabulary: find it, try it, pay for it
A useful shopping exchange is usually short: say what you are looking for, ask whether another size is available, try an item and confirm the price. Knowing a few everyday forms makes the interaction easier without turning it into a scripted performance.
Start with the pattern
Words are easier to keep when they make sense.
To ask how much something costs, use ¿Cuánto cuesta? for one item and ¿Cuánto cuestan? for more than one. In Spain, a fitting room is probador; a shop assistant may ask ¿Le puedo ayudar? A simple Estoy mirando, gracias politely says you are just browsing.
Use tarjeta for card and efectivo for cash. If asking for a different size, ¿Lo tiene en una talla más? works for a masculine item; adapt the object pronoun when referring to a feminine item (¿La tiene…?). Keep the noun gender in view when using pronouns.
Hear it in a sentence
Examples in everyday Spanish
¿Tiene esta chaqueta en una talla más pequeña?
Do you have this jacket in a smaller size?
¿Me puedo probar estos zapatos?
Can I try these shoes on?
¿Cuánto cuestan las dos camisas?
How much do the two shirts cost?
Pago con tarjeta. ¿Me da el recibo, por favor?
I’ll pay by card. Could you give me the receipt, please?
Listen for the local detail
A note on Spanish in Spain
- Talla usually refers to clothing size; número is commonly used for shoe size in Spain. Retailers may display EU sizing, but fit differs by brand.
- Spanish shops often ask ¿Algo más? at the till, meaning “Anything else?”; it is a routine question rather than pressure to buy.
Look out for
Common mistakes, made clearer
Avoid
¿Cuánto cuesta? for several items.
Use / understand
¿Cuánto cuestan? when the subject is plural.
The verb agrees with the thing whose price you are asking about.
Avoid
La talla 42 for a shoe size without considering local wording.
Use / understand
El número 42 for shoe size in common Spain usage.
Number is a natural way to ask about footwear sizing.
Avoid
Estoy mirando means “I am watching.”
Use / understand
Estoy mirando, gracias means “I’m just looking, thanks” in a shop.
Mirar means look; context gives it the browsing sense.
Five quick checks
Try it before you peek.
- 01
Ask the price of one bag.
Reveal answer and explanation
¿Cuánto cuesta el bolso?
Cuesta is singular because bolso is one item.
- 02
Ask for a shoe size in Spain: “Do you have number 39?”
Reveal answer and explanation
¿Tiene el número 39?
Número is commonly used for shoe size.
- 03
Translate “fitting room.”
Reveal answer and explanation
El probador.
Probador is masculine.
- 04
Say that you will pay by card.
Reveal answer and explanation
Pago con tarjeta.
Tarjeta is feminine; con tarjeta means by card.
- 05
Politely say “I’m just looking, thanks.”
Reveal answer and explanation
Estoy mirando, gracias.
This is a natural response to an offer of help.
Still wondering
Questions about spanish shopping vocabulary: find it, try it, pay for it
How do I ask to try something on?
Say ¿Me lo puedo probar? for a masculine item or ¿Me la puedo probar? for a feminine item. You can also ask ¿Dónde está el probador?
What is the difference between talla and número?
Talla is used for clothing size. In Spain, número is often used for shoe size, though shops will understand if you explain what you mean.
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