compras
“compras” means “shopping” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
shopping, groceries
Also: purchases, errands
📝 In Action
Necesito ir a hacer las compras para la cena.
A1I need to go do the shopping (or groceries) for dinner.
Las compras por internet son muy populares ahora.
A2Online purchases are very popular now.
Siempre llevo mis propias bolsas para las compras.
B1I always bring my own bags for the shopping.
you buy
Also: you are buying
📝 In Action
¿Qué compras para tu madre en Navidad?
A1What are you buying for your mother for Christmas?
Si compras dos, el tercero es gratis.
A2If you buy two, the third one is free.
Siempre compras la misma marca de café.
A1You always buy the same brand of coffee.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: compras
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'compras' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *comparare*, which originally meant 'to match' or 'to pair.' Over time, in Vulgar Latin, its meaning shifted to 'to procure' or 'to acquire,' leading directly to the modern Spanish sense of 'to buy.'
First recorded: 13th century (in its modern Spanish form)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'compras' means 'shopping' (noun) or 'you buy' (verb)?
Look at the words around it. If it follows the verb 'hacer' (hacer las compras) or an article like 'mis' or 'tus' (mis compras), it's the noun 'shopping/purchases.' If it's used alone as the main action, especially at the start of a question (¿Qué compras?), it's the verb 'you buy.'