Shop 'til You Drop: Essential Spanish Phrases for Asking Prices and Sizes


Ready to hit the stores on your next trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Whether you're hunting for the perfect souvenir, a unique piece of clothing, or just a few essentials, knowing a few key phrases can make your shopping experience so much smoother. It's not just about getting what you want—it’s about connecting with local vendors and showing respect for their culture.

This guide will teach you the most important Spanish phrases for asking about prices and sizes. Let's get started!

Getting Started: The Basics

First things first, it's always polite to start with a friendly greeting.

  • "Hola." - "Hello."

  • "Buenos días." - "Good morning."

  • "Buenas tardes." - "Good afternoon."

  • "Disculpe." - "Excuse me." (This is a great way to get someone's attention.)

Asking About Prices

This is probably the most common question you'll ask. You’ll want to know how much something costs.

1. The Direct Question: "How much is...?"

This is the most direct way to ask the price of a single item.

  • "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - "How much does it cost?" (This is the most common and versatile phrase.)

  • "¿Cuánto cuesta esto?" - "How much does this cost?" (Use this when you're holding or pointing at a single item.)

  • "¿Cuánto cuesta eso?" - "How much does that cost?" (For something a little further away.)

2. Asking About Multiple Items: "How much are...?"

When you want to know the price of more than one thing, the verb changes to "cuestan."

  • "¿Cuánto cuestan?" - "How much do they cost?"

  • "¿Cuánto cuestan estos?" - "How much do these cost?" (For items you are holding or pointing to.)

  • "¿Cuánto cuestan esos?" - "How much do those cost?" (For multiple items a little further away.)

3. The Simpler Option: "What's the price?"

If you want to keep it simple, this is your go-to.

  • "¿Qué precio tiene?" - "What's the price?" (Literally "What price does it have?")

4. The Alternative: "What's the value?"

This is a slightly more formal way to ask.

  • "¿Cuál es el valor?" - "What is the value?"

5. The Super-Simple: "How much?"

Just pointing and saying "how much?" will often get you the answer you need.

  • "¿Cuánto?" - "How much?"

Understanding the Answer

When they tell you the price, you'll hear a number. Make sure you're familiar with Spanish numbers, at least up to 100, and know the local currency (like pesos or euros).

  • "Cuesta diez dólares." - "It costs ten dollars."

  • "Cuestan quince euros." - "They cost fifteen euros."

  • "Son veinte pesos." - "They are twenty pesos."

Asking About Sizes

Whether you're buying clothes, shoes, or even a piece of furniture, you'll need to know how to ask about size.

1. The General Question: "What size...?"

  • "¿Qué talla es?" - "What size is it?" (For clothing like shirts, pants, and jackets.)

  • "¿Qué número es?" - "What number is it?" (Specifically for shoes.)

2. Asking for a Specific Size

  • "¿Tiene esto en una talla más grande?" - "Do you have this in a larger size?"

  • "¿Tiene esto en una talla más pequeña?" - "Do you have this in a smaller size?"

  • "¿Tiene esto en otra talla?" - "Do you have this in another size?"

3. Asking for Your Size

  • "¿Tiene mi talla?" - "Do you have my size?"

  • "Yo soy talla mediana." - "I am a medium size."

  • "Yo soy talla grande." - "I am a large size."

  • "Yo soy talla pequeña." - "I am a small size."

4. Trying Something On

  • "¿Me puedo probar esto?" - "Can I try this on?"

  • "¿Dónde están los probadores?" - "Where are the dressing rooms?"

Putting It All Together: A Simple Shopping Conversation

Here’s an example of how a conversation might go:

You: "Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta esta camisa?" (Excuse me, how much does this shirt cost?)

Vendor: "Cuesta treinta y cinco dólares." (It costs thirty-five dollars.)

You: "Gracias. ¿Tiene esta en una talla más grande?" (Thanks. Do you have this in a larger size?)

Vendor: "Sí, ¿qué talla es usted?" (Yes, what size are you?)

You: "Yo soy talla grande." (I am a large size.)

Vendor: "Aquí está." (Here it is.)

You: "Gracias." (Thank you.)

Knowing these simple phrases will not only help you get what you want but will also show that you’ve made an effort to connect with the people and the culture. So go ahead, practice your Spanish, and enjoy the thrill of the shopping experience!