Inklingo

How to Say "shopping" in Spanish

English → Spanish

compra

Kohm-prah/ˈkompɾa/

nounA1general
Use 'compra' when referring to the general activity of buying things, particularly groceries or household items, as a noun.
A smiling cartoon figure holds a bright red shopping bag containing a loaf of bread, representing a purchase.

Examples

¿Hiciste la compra para la cena?

Did you do the shopping (groceries) for dinner?

Esta compra fue muy cara.

This purchase was very expensive.

Vamos de compras al centro comercial.

We are going shopping at the mall.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'compra' (the noun) is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Mixing Up 'Shopping'

Mistake: “Using 'ir a comprar' when you mean the general activity.”

Correction: Use the set phrase 'ir de compras' (plural) for the general activity of shopping. 'Ir a comprar' means going to buy a specific thing.

comprando

/kom-pran-doh//komˈpɾan̪d̪o/

verb (gerund/present participle)A1general
Use 'comprando' when you want to describe the action of buying something that is currently happening, functioning as the present participle of the verb 'comprar'.
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing a transaction. A cartoon customer's hand is placing a gold coin into the open palm of a vendor's hand, signifying a purchase. Next to the hands is a large pile of fresh, colorful fruit.

Examples

Estamos comprando los regalos de Navidad ahora mismo.

We are buying the Christmas presents right now.

¿Qué estabas comprando cuando te llamé?

What were you buying when I called you?

Ella siguió comprando ropa a pesar de tener el armario lleno.

She kept buying clothes despite having a full closet.

Forming the Gerund

This word is the 'gerund' (the -ing form) of the verb 'comprar'. For all verbs that end in -ar, you replace the -ar with -ando.

Ongoing Actions (The Progressive)

Its main use is with the verb 'estar' to describe an action happening exactly at the moment you speak: 'Estoy comprando' (I am buying).

Using it after other verbs

You can use 'comprando' after verbs like 'seguir' (to continue) or 'ir' (to go, as in 'little by little'): 'Sigo comprando' (I keep buying).

Mixing up 'ser' and 'estar'

Mistake: “Soy comprando.”

Correction: Estoy comprando. Remember, the ongoing action must always use 'estar' (to be temporarily) because the action is temporary.

Using the gerund like an English adjective

Mistake: “Los libros comprando.”

Correction: Los libros comprados. In Spanish, the gerund 'comprando' must describe an action, not a state; use the past participle ('comprado') for adjectives.

Noun vs. Verb Form

The most common mistake is using the noun 'compra' when you mean the ongoing action of buying. Remember that 'comprando' is the gerund form of the verb 'comprar' and describes an action in progress, while 'compra' is the noun for the activity itself.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.