Inklingo

How to Say "goods" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “goods” is “producto” — use 'producto' when referring to a specific item that is for sale or manufactured, like a consumer good..

producto🔊A1

Use 'producto' when referring to a specific item that is for sale or manufactured, like a consumer good.

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mercancíaA2

Choose 'mercancía' when talking about products or items that are being transported, sold, or are in a store's inventory.

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artículosA1

Use 'artículos' to refer to individual items or articles, especially those found in a store or listed in an inventory.

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bienes🔊B1

Employ 'bienes' when referring to possessions, assets, or property, especially in a legal or financial context.

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efectos🔊B1

Use 'efectos' to refer to personal belongings or items that one is carrying, especially when traveling or moving.

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géneroB2

Use 'género' in a commercial context to refer to merchandise or products, often implying a type or category of goods.

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especie🔊B2

Use 'en especie' specifically when referring to payment or compensation given in the form of goods or services rather than money.

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English → Spanish

producto

proh-DOOK-toh/pɾoˈðukto/

nounA1general
Use 'producto' when referring to a specific item that is for sale or manufactured, like a consumer good.
A single, colorful, packaged retail item, resembling a simple box with a bow, placed prominently on a shelf, symbolizing commercial merchandise.

Examples

Necesito comprar un producto para limpiar el suelo.

I need to buy a product to clean the floor.

Este es el producto estrella de nuestra compañía.

This is the star product of our company.

Los productos frescos se encuentran en el pasillo tres.

The fresh produce is in aisle three.

Always Masculine

Even though many Spanish words ending in '-a' are feminine, 'producto' is always masculine. Use 'el producto' or 'un producto'.

mercancía

nounA2commercial
Choose 'mercancía' when talking about products or items that are being transported, sold, or are in a store's inventory.

Examples

La tienda recibió un nuevo envío de mercancía esta mañana.

The store received a new shipment of merchandise this morning.

artículos

nounA1general
Use 'artículos' to refer to individual items or articles, especially those found in a store or listed in an inventory.

Examples

Todos los artículos de la tienda están en oferta.

All the items in the store are on sale.

bienes

bee-EH-ness/ˈbjenes/

nounB1formal/legal
Employ 'bienes' when referring to possessions, assets, or property, especially in a legal or financial context.
A colorful illustration showing a stack of various household goods, including a red book, a yellow teapot, a blue baseball bat, and a small green toy box.

Examples

Todos sus bienes fueron repartidos entre sus hijos.

All his goods (assets) were divided among his children.

La empresa debe declarar sus bienes anualmente.

The company must declare its assets annually.

Solo llevaba unos pocos bienes personales en la maleta.

He only carried a few personal possessions in the suitcase.

Always Plural for 'Assets'

Even though the singular 'bien' means 'goodness' or 'well,' when you talk about physical or financial assets, you almost always use the plural form, 'bienes'.

Confusing Bien and Bienes

Mistake: “Using 'tengo mucho bien' to mean 'I have a lot of stuff.'”

Correction: Use 'tengo muchos bienes' or 'tengo muchas cosas.' 'Bien' usually means 'well' (adverb) or 'the good' (abstract concept).

efectos

eh-FEK-tohs/eˈfektos/

nounB1general/informal
Use 'efectos' to refer to personal belongings or items that one is carrying, especially when traveling or moving.
An open brown suitcase containing a folded blue shirt, a red toothbrush, and a closed green book, representing personal belongings.

Examples

Asegúrese de recoger todos sus efectos personales antes de salir del avión.

Make sure to collect all your personal belongings before leaving the plane.

La policía incautó sus efectos a la espera del juicio.

The police seized his goods pending trial.

Use with 'Personales'

This meaning is almost always used with the adjective 'personales' to clarify you are talking about items, not consequences.

género

nounB2commercial
Use 'género' in a commercial context to refer to merchandise or products, often implying a type or category of goods.

Examples

El comerciante recibió ayer el nuevo género.

The merchant received the new goods yesterday.

especie

/es-PEH-syeh//esˈpe.sje/

nounB2formal/economic
Use 'en especie' specifically when referring to payment or compensation given in the form of goods or services rather than money.
A baker handing a loaf of fresh bread to a farmer in exchange for a basket of apples, illustrating payment using goods.

Examples

El granjero pagó a sus trabajadores en especie, dándoles comida y un lugar para vivir.

The farmer paid his workers in kind, giving them food and a place to live.

Parte de mi salario lo recibo en especie, como el coche de la empresa.

I receive part of my salary in kind, such as the company car.

Distinguishing Merchandise from Possessions

The most common confusion is between 'mercancía'/'artículos' (items for sale or in a store) and 'bienes' (personal assets or property). Remember, if it's something being sold or stocked, use 'mercancía' or 'artículos'; if it's something you own as wealth, use 'bienes'.

Related Translations

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