Inklingo

How to Say "to buy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

comprar

/kom-prar//komˈpɾaɾ/

VerbA1general use
Use 'comprar' for everyday purchases of goods or services in most common situations.
A cheerful customer exchanging a coin for a fresh loaf of bread with a smiling vendor behind a counter.

Examples

Voy a comprar pan en la tienda.

I'm going to buy bread at the store.

¿Qué compraste en el mercado?

What did you buy at the market?

Compramos los boletos para el concierto en línea.

We bought the tickets for the concert online.

Buying for Someone

To say who you're buying something for, use 'para'. For example, 'Compro un regalo para mi madre' (I'm buying a gift for my mom). You can also use little words like 'le' or 'te' before the verb: 'Le compro un regalo' (I'm buying a gift for her).

Mixing up 'comprar' and 'vender'

Mistake: “El dueño me compra el coche por cinco mil euros.”

Correction: El dueño me vende el coche... (The owner sells me the car...). Remember: 'comprar' is what you do, 'vender' is what the store or seller does.

adquirir

/ad-kee-REER//aðkiˈɾiɾ/

verbB1formal
Use 'adquirir' for formal or significant purchases, especially of property, businesses, or valuable assets.
A child happily receiving a shiny new bicycle as a gift.

Examples

Quiero adquirir una nueva casa cerca del mar.

I want to acquire (buy) a new house near the sea.

Ella ha adquirido mucha experiencia en este trabajo.

She has gained a lot of experience in this job.

Es importante adquirir buenos hábitos desde joven.

It is important to acquire (pick up) good habits from a young age.

The 'i' to 'ie' Vowel Change

In many forms, the 'i' in the middle of 'adquirir' changes to 'ie' when you stress that part of the word (e.g., 'yo adquiero'). This only happens in the present tense and commands.

A More Formal 'Comprar'

While 'comprar' is for everyday items like milk or bread, 'adquirir' is used for more significant things like property, businesses, or intellectual rights.

Forgot the vowel change

Mistake: “Yo adquiro una casa.”

Correction: Yo adquiero una casa. (Remember, the 'i' needs to split into 'ie' when it's the main beat of the word!)

consumir

/kohn-soo-meer//konsuˈmiɾ/

verbA2economic behavior
Use 'consumir' to talk about the act of using up or spending resources like energy or money, often in an economic or environmental context, rather than the act of purchasing.
A child eating a large red apple.

Examples

Este coche consume mucha gasolina.

This car consumes a lot of gas.

Debemos consumir más frutas y verduras.

We should consume more fruits and vegetables.

La industria consume gran parte de la energía del país.

Industry uses up a large part of the country's energy.

Using 'Consumir' for Engines

In English, we say a car 'gets' certain miles per gallon or 'uses' gas. In Spanish, we almost always use 'consumir' to describe how much fuel or electricity a machine uses up.

Direct Action

When talking about eating or drinking, 'consumir' is a bit more formal than 'comer' (to eat) or 'beber' (to drink). It is often used in health contexts or news reports.

Consumir vs. Asumir

Mistake: “Yo consumo que es verdad.”

Correction: Yo asumo que es verdad. 'Consumir' is about using resources, while 'asumir' means to assume or take on a responsibility.

Don't confuse buying with consuming

The most common mistake is using 'consumir' when you mean to 'buy' something. 'Consumir' refers to the act of using up or spending resources, not the transaction of purchase. Always use 'comprar' or 'adquirir' for the act of buying.

Related Translations

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