compro
/KOM-pro/
I buy
The image shows the physical act of buying something.
compro(Verb)
I buy
?present action or habit
,I am buying
?ongoing action
I purchase
?formal synonym
📝 In Action
Compro pan fresco todas las mañanas.
A1I buy fresh bread every morning.
¿Qué haces? Compro los boletos para el concierto.
A2What are you doing? I am buying the tickets for the concert.
Siempre compro regalos para mi familia en este almacén.
A1I always buy gifts for my family at this department store.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Yo' Form
The '-o' ending tells you the person doing the action is 'yo' (I). This pattern is true for almost all regular verbs in the present tense.
Present Tense Flexibility
'Compro' covers both 'I buy' (a habit) and 'I am buying' (happening now). Use context or words like 'ahora' (now) to clarify.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up Person
Mistake: "Using 'compro' when talking about 'he/she/it' (Él compro)."
Correction: Use 'compra' for 'he/she/it' ('Él compra'). Remember the '-o' is strictly for 'yo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Shopping Talk
When shopping, you can simply point and say 'Yo compro esto' (I'll buy this) to make a purchase.
This image illustrates the metaphorical meaning of accepting or believing an idea.
📝 In Action
No compro tu historia. ¿Hay otra razón?
B2I don't buy your story. Is there another reason?
Esa teoría es ridícula, yo no la compro.
C1That theory is ridiculous, I don't buy into it.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning is an idiomatic extension, just like in English. It uses the physical act of 'buying' to represent the mental act of 'accepting' an idea.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Negation
This figurative sense is almost always used in the negative ('No compro...') when you want to express skepticism or rejection.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: compro
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase CANNOT be translated using 'compro'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'I am buying' right now?
You can simply use 'compro' (e.g., 'Compro una camisa'). While Spanish also has a continuous form ('estoy comprando'), the simple present 'compro' is often used even for actions happening at this exact moment.
Is 'compro' a regular verb?
Yes, 'compro' comes from the verb 'comprar,' which is a fully regular '-ar' verb. It follows all the standard conjugation patterns, making it easy to learn!