Why Comprar Is More Than "To Buy"
Comprar is the verb of shops, websites, and treats. It is regular, but the reflexive comprarse changes the feel: you buy something for yourself, usually as a small pleasure. The noun compras gives you the language of shopping trips.
Learn these six patterns as whole chunks and you will shop, compare, and treat people without translating word by word.
Pattern 1: ¿Dónde puedo comprar…? — "Where can I buy…?"
The first question of a trip: where do I find it? Use it for souvenirs, tickets, groceries, or medicine, and add por aquí to keep it local. For more with poder, see [Poder] Chunks.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar un billete? — Where can I buy a ticket?
- Quiero comprar un regalo. — I want to buy a gift.
- ¿Dónde se compran sellos por aquí? — Where can you buy stamps around here?
Chunk to learn:
¿Dónde puedo comprar + [thing]? / Quiero comprar + [thing]
Pattern 2: Comprar por internet — "To buy online"
Spanish uses por internet or en línea for online shopping, and en la tienda for in person. Use it when you talk about prices, deliveries, and returns.
- Lo compré por internet. — I bought it online.
- Prefiero comprar en la tienda. — I prefer to buy in the store.
- Compra en línea y recógelo mañana. — Buy online and pick it up tomorrow.
Chunk to learn:
Comprar por internet / en línea / en la tienda
Pattern 3: Comprar barato / caro — "To buy cheap / expensive"
After comprar, barato and caro work as adverbs and do not change. Add de segunda mano for secondhand. For more on prices, see [Pagar] Chunks.
- Compré barato. — I bought it cheap.
- Lo compré de segunda mano. — I bought it secondhand.
- Lo barato sale caro. — Buying cheap costs more in the end.
Chunk to learn:
Comprar barato / caro / de segunda mano
Pattern 4: Me compré… — "I bought myself…"
The reflexive comprarse says you bought something for yourself, so the sentence feels personal and a bit proud. Use it for clothes, gadgets, and other treats. For more on the reflexive pattern, see Reflexive Verbs Chunks.
- Me compré unos zapatos nuevos. — I bought myself some new shoes.
- Se compró un coche. — He bought himself a car.
- Me voy a comprar un móvil. — I'm going to buy myself a phone.
Chunk to learn:
Me compré + [thing] / Me voy a comprar + [thing]
Pattern 5: Te compro… — "I'll buy you…"
With an indirect pronoun, comprar becomes a gift or a treat. It is the generous chunk: te compro un café. For more with attached pronouns, see Object Pronouns Chunks.
- Te compro un café. — I'll buy you a coffee.
- Le compré flores a mi madre. — I bought flowers for my mother.
- ¿Me compras un helado? — Will you buy me an ice cream?
Chunk to learn:
Te compro + [thing] / Le compré + [thing] + a + [person]
Pattern 6: Ir de compras — "To go shopping"
The noun compras covers shopping as an activity. Ir de compras is for fun or clothes, while hacer la compra (common in Spain) is the weekly grocery shop.
- Vamos de compras el sábado. — We're going shopping on Saturday.
- Tengo que hacer la compra. — I have to do the grocery shopping.
- Me encanta ir de compras. — I love going shopping.
Chunk to learn:
Ir de compras / Hacer la compra
Comprar vs. Pagar
Comprar is what you acquire and pagar is what you hand over. You can buy something and pay later, or pay for something without buying it. For another verb of the shop, see [Cambiar] Chunks.
Start with ¿dónde puedo comprar…? and me compré…. You will use both the next time you speak Spanish.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.