Spanish Vocabulary for Shopping and Money: A Practical Guide for Travelers and Shoppers


Whether you’re shopping at a local market in Miami, traveling through Texas, or visiting a store in California, knowing Spanish vocabulary for shopping and money can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. Understanding key terms helps with prices, transactions, and negotiations.

This guide covers essential Spanish words and phrases that will help you navigate any shopping situation with confidence.

1. Basic Money Vocabulary

English Spanish Pronunciation Notes
Money Dinero dee-NEH-ro General term for money
Cash Efectivo eh-fek-TEE-vo Refers to bills and coins
Credit card Tarjeta de crédito tar-HEH-ta de CREH-dee-to Widely used in stores and online
Debit card Tarjeta de débito tar-HEH-ta de DEH-bee-to Linked to your bank account
Coin Moneda mo-NEH-da Small change or coins
Bill Billete bee-YEH-te Paper currency

Tip: In the U.S., Spanish speakers often mix English and Spanish terms in stores, but knowing the correct Spanish terms helps in Spanish-speaking communities.

2. Shopping-Related Vocabulary

English Spanish Pronunciation Notes
Store Tienda tee-EN-da Any kind of store
Market Mercado mer-KA-do Often refers to local markets or farmer’s markets
Price Precio PREH-see-oh Asking “¿Cuál es el precio?” means “What is the price?”
Sale Oferta oh-FER-ta Used for discounts or promotions
Discount Descuento des-KWEN-to Often advertised in stores and online
Receipt Recibo reh-SEE-bo Keep receipts for returns or reimbursement
Cashier Cajero / Cajera ka-HEH-ro / ka-HEH-ra Person handling the register

3. Essential Phrases for Transactions

  • “¿Cuánto cuesta?” – How much does it cost?

  • “Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?” – Do you accept a credit card?

  • “¿Tiene descuento?” – Do you have a discount?

  • “Quisiera pagar en efectivo.” – I would like to pay in cash.

  • “¿Puedo ver el recibo, por favor?” – Can I see the receipt, please?

Tip: Polite phrases like por favor (please) and gracias (thank you) go a long way in stores.

4. Shopping in U.S. Spanish-Speaking Communities

In areas with large Spanish-speaking populations—like California, Texas, Florida, and New York—bilingual signage is common, but knowing the vocabulary helps you:

  • Ask questions confidently

  • Avoid misunderstandings about prices or payments

  • Negotiate at local markets or small shops

For online shopping, phrases like oferta, descuento, and envío (shipping) are useful when browsing Spanish-language websites.

5. Tips to Improve Your Spanish Shopping Skills

  1. Practice phrases aloud – Helps with pronunciation and confidence.

  2. Use a translation app for new words – Quick reference during shopping.

  3. Visit local Hispanic markets – Real-life practice with native speakers.

  4. Learn numbers in Spanish – Critical for reading prices and handling money.

6. Conclusion

Knowing Spanish vocabulary for shopping and money makes everyday transactions easier and more enjoyable, whether you’re traveling or shopping locally. Key areas to focus on include:

  • Basic money terms: dinero, efectivo, tarjeta de crédito

  • Shopping vocabulary: tienda, mercado, precio, descuento

  • Essential phrases: asking for prices, payment methods, and receipts

By learning these words and phrases, you can shop confidently, communicate clearly, and navigate Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. with ease.