Inklingo

How to Say "groceries" in Spanish

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alimentos

ah-lee-MEN-tohs/aliˈmentos/

nounA1general
Use 'alimentos' when you want to refer to the actual food items or food products you buy at the store.
A colorful, simple illustration showing a woven basket overflowing with various types of food, including bright red apples, yellow bananas, orange carrots, and a rustic loaf of bread.

Examples

Necesitamos comprar más alimentos frescos para la semana.

We need to buy more fresh food for the week.

La escasez de alimentos en la región es una crisis grave.

The food shortage in the region is a serious crisis.

Las etiquetas nutricionales detallan los componentes de los alimentos procesados.

The nutritional labels detail the components of processed foods.

Always Masculine Plural

Even though it refers to many different kinds of food, 'alimentos' is always treated as a masculine plural noun. Use 'los' or 'unos' with it.

Confusing 'alimentos' and 'comida'

Mistake: “Using 'alimentos' to mean a specific meal, like 'Vamos a comer alimentos.'”

Correction: Use 'comida' (meal) or 'almuerzo' (lunch) for specific eating events. 'Alimentos' refers to the substance or category of food itself.

compras

KOM-pras/ˈkom.pɾas/

nounA1general
Use 'compras' (usually in the plural) to refer to the activity or the results of grocery shopping, meaning the act of buying food or the items bought as a result of that activity.
A person cheerfully carrying several colorful shopping bags filled with purchased items.

Examples

Necesito ir a hacer las compras para la cena.

I need to go do the shopping (or groceries) for dinner.

Las compras por internet son muy populares ahora.

Online purchases are very popular now.

Siempre llevo mis propias bolsas para las compras.

I always bring my own bags for the shopping.

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'.

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.)

Focusing on Items vs. The Activity

Learners often use 'alimentos' when they mean the act of shopping, or 'compras' when referring specifically to the food items. Remember that 'alimentos' refers to the food itself, while 'compras' refers to the shopping trip or the haul from that trip.

Related Translations

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