compras
/KOM-pras/
shopping
As a noun, compras refers to the activity of shopping or the purchases made.
compras(noun)
shopping
?the act of buying things
,groceries
?food shopping (often used in plural)
purchases
?items bought
,errands
?general errands involving buying things
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even if you are only talking about one trip to the store, 'compras' is almost always used in the plural, especially in the common phrase 'hacer las compras'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'compra' for the act of shopping
Mistake: "Voy a hacer la compra."
Correction: Voy a hacer las compras. (Use the plural form when referring to the activity.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Shopping vs. Buying
Use 'compras' (noun) for the activity of shopping, and 'comprar' (verb) for the action of buying a specific item. 'Hago las compras' (I shop); 'Compro un libro' (I buy a book).
When conjugated as a verb in the informal singular present tense, compras means 'you buy'.
compras(verb)
you buy
?informal singular present tense (tú)
you are buying
?informal singular present tense (tú)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Regular AR Verb Pattern
'Comprar' is a regular verb. To form the 'tú' present tense, you drop the '-ar' ending and add '-as'. This pattern works for hundreds of other verbs like 'hablar' (hablas) and 'estudiar' (estudias).
⭐ Usage Tips
Present Tense Flexibility
In Spanish, 'compras' can mean three things: 'you buy,' 'you are buying,' or 'you do buy.' The meaning depends on the context of the sentence.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: compras
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'compras' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
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.'