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How to Say "stores" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stores” is “tiendas” — use 'tiendas' when referring to retail establishments or shops where you buy goods, like clothing stores or grocery stores..

English → Spanish

tiendas

/tyén-das//ˈtjen.das/

nounA1general
Use 'tiendas' when referring to retail establishments or shops where you buy goods, like clothing stores or grocery stores.
A simple illustration showing a row of three colorful, distinct storefronts, such as a bakery, a clothing shop, and a bookshop.

Examples

Todas las tiendas cierran a las nueve de la noche.

All the stores close at nine o'clock at night.

Hay muchas tiendas de ropa en el centro comercial.

There are many clothing shops in the mall.

Necesitamos comprar dos tiendas de campaña para el viaje.

We need to buy two tents for the trip.

Feminine Plural

Since the singular form 'tienda' is feminine (always use 'la' or 'una'), the plural form 'tiendas' also stays feminine (always use 'las' or 'unas').

negocios

/ne-GO-syos//neˈɣo.sjos/

nounB1general
Use 'negocios' to talk about businesses or commercial enterprises, especially when referring to the owner or the company itself.
A colorful illustration of a street row featuring three different small, distinct storefronts, representing multiple commercial enterprises.

Examples

Mis tíos tienen varios negocios en el centro de la ciudad.

My aunt and uncle have several businesses in the city center.

La crisis afectó a los pequeños negocios.

The crisis affected small businesses.

Hemos cerrado dos negocios importantes esta semana.

We have closed two important deals this week.

Singular vs. Plural

Mistake: “Using the English logic: 'He has a lot of business'.”

Correction: In Spanish, if you mean multiple companies or deals, you must use the plural: 'Él tiene muchos negocios'. The singular 'negocio' refers to just one.

suministros

soo-mee-NEES-trohs/sumiˈnistros/

nounB1general
Choose 'suministros' when you mean supplies or provisions, referring to items that are kept or stocked for future use, often in bulk.
A simple wooden storage crate is shown, filled to the brim with various essential resources like food cans, rope, and medical supplies.

Examples

Se agotaron los suministros médicos después del huracán.

The medical supplies ran out after the hurricane.

Necesitamos comprar más suministros de oficina, como papel y bolígrafos.

We need to buy more office supplies, like paper and pens.

La empresa gestiona la cadena de suministros para reducir costos.

The company manages the supply chain to reduce costs.

Always Plural in This Context

When talking about the general collection of needed items (like 'office supplies' or 'medical supplies'), Spanish almost always uses the plural form, 'los suministros'.

Related Verb

The noun comes from the verb 'suministrar,' which means 'to provide' or 'to supply.' This helps you remember that 'suministros' are the things being provided.

Confusing Singular/Plural

Mistake: “Using 'el suministro' when you mean 'the supplies' (a collection of things).”

Correction: Use 'los suministros' to talk about a collection of goods. 'El suministro' (singular) usually refers to the *act* of supplying or a single utility, like 'the electricity supply'.

guarda

GWAR-dah/ˈɡwaɾða/

verbA1general
Use 'guarda' (from the verb 'guardar') when referring to the action of keeping or storing something safely, as in 'she stores her money'.
A young person carefully placing a treasured, shiny coin inside a small wooden chest.

Examples

Ella guarda sus joyas en una caja fuerte.

She keeps her jewelry in a safe box.

Guarda este secreto, por favor.

Keep this secret, please (informal command).

¿Dónde guarda el documento?

Where does he save the document?

Dual Role

The form 'guarda' is used both when talking about what a third person (he/she/it/you formal) 'does' now, and when you are giving an informal command to 'tú'.

Shops vs. Businesses

The most common confusion is between 'tiendas' and 'negocios'. Remember that 'tiendas' refers specifically to the physical places where you shop, while 'negocios' refers to the business operations or enterprises themselves. You go to the 'tienda' to buy things, but your uncle owns 'negocios'.

Related Translations

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