Markets & Souvenirs

1. ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Most basic phrase to ask the price at a market

   Grammar Note

   "Costar" is an o→ue stem-changing verb. "¿Cuánto vale?" is equally common

2. ¿Se puede regatear el precio?

   Can the price be bargained?

   Usage

   Asking whether the price can be negotiated

   Grammar Note

   Impersonal "se puede" is the standard way to ask "is it possible". Bargaining is common at tourist markets

3. ¿Me lo dejas en 10 euros?

   Would you let me have it for 10 euros?

   Usage

   Classic counter-offer phrasing in Spanish markets

   Grammar Note

   "Dejar en" idiomatically means "let it go at X". Common at markets

4. ¿Me hace descuento si compro varios?

   Can I get a discount if I buy several?

   Usage

   Asking for a bulk discount

   Grammar Note

   "Hacer descuento" = to give a discount. "Rebaja" also means a reduction in price

5. ¿Esto está hecho a mano?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asking whether a craft is handmade

   Grammar Note

   "Hecho a mano" is a fixed phrase; "artesanal" (artisanal) is also widely used

6. ¿De qué material es esto?

   What material is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking about the material of a craft or garment

   Grammar Note

   "Ser de + material" means "made of". E.g. "Es de plata" = it's silver

7. ¿Me lo puede envolver para regalo?

   Could you wrap this as a gift?

   Usage

   Requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "Envolver para regalo" is the set phrase. Spanish department stores like El Corte Inglés offer it for free

8. ¿Dónde está el mercado nocturno?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking the location of a night market

   Grammar Note

   Also called "mercadillo nocturno". Use "estar" (not "ser") to ask location

9. ¿Me da un recibo, por favor?

   Could I have a receipt please?

   Usage

   Politely requesting a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "Recibo" is a general receipt; "factura" is a formal invoice for tax purposes

10. ¿Cuál es el horario del mercado?

    What are the market's opening hours?

    Usage

    Asking the market's operating hours

    Grammar Note

    "De + el" contracts to "del". Many Spanish markets close for siesta in the afternoon

11. Solo estoy mirando, gracias

    I'm just looking, thanks

    Usage

    Politely declining a vendor's offer to help

    Grammar Note

    "Estar + gerund" is the progressive. "Ojeando" (browsing) also works

12. ¿Aceptan tarjeta?

    Do you accept card?

    Usage

    Checking whether card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    Third-person plural addresses the establishment respectfully. "Con tarjeta" (by card) also works

13. Es un recuerdo para mi familia

    It's a souvenir for my family

    Usage

    Telling the seller who the souvenir is for

    Grammar Note

    "Recuerdo" means both memory and souvenir. The loanword "souvenir" is also used

14. ¿Pueden enviarlo al extranjero?

    Can you ship it abroad?

    Usage

    Checking whether international shipping is offered

    Grammar Note

    Direct-object clitics attach to infinitives ("enviar + lo" → "enviarlo")

15. ¿Qué es lo más fresco hoy?

    What's the freshest today?

    Usage

    Asking which item is freshest at a food market

    Grammar Note

    "Lo + adjective" creates an abstract noun: "lo bueno" (the good part), "lo malo" (the bad part)

16. ¿Es negociable el precio?

    Is the price negotiable?

    Usage

    Directly asking whether the displayed price can be lowered

    Grammar Note

    Suffix "-able" means "able to be ___"

17. ¿Tiene una talla más pequeña?

    Do you have a smaller size?

    Usage

    Asking for a different clothing size

    Grammar Note

    "Talla" is for clothing; "tamaño" is general size. Use "más grande" for "bigger"

18. Es demasiado caro

    It's too expensive

    Usage

    Signaling that the offered price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "Demasiado" adverbially modifies the adjective. "Un poco caro" (a bit pricey) softens the tone

19. la fruta

    Fruit

    Usage

    Point at it to ask for the fruit section or fruit itself at a market

20. el ajo

    Garlic

    Usage

    For buying it at a market or checking whether a dish contains it

21. la cebolla

    Onion

    Usage

    For buying onions or asking for a dish "sin cebolla" (without onion)

22. el chile

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    The Mexican and Central American term; South America says "ají", Spain "guindilla"

23. el cilantro

    Cilantro

    Usage

    If you dislike it, show it with "sin cilantro" (without cilantro)

24. el jengibre

    Ginger

    Usage

    For buying ginger or checking whether a dish contains it

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