💡 At the checkout in Spain cashiers usually ask about a bag (¿Quiere bolsa?) and the way of paying; bags are paid, so many bring their own.
💡 Store words: pasillo (aisle), sección (department), lácteos (dairy), congelados (frozen), limpieza (cleaning), panadería (bread).
💡 You weigh fruit and vegetables yourself: place them on the scale, press the item on the screen and get a price label to stick on the bag.
💡 The tarjeta de cliente gives discounts; cashiers ask ¿Tiene tarjeta del supermercado?; if you don't have it say no.
💡 A spoiled product is taken to customer service with the receipt (ticket): they replace it or refund; do not hesitate to explain the problem.
💡 When the card does not go through they say No pasa la tarjeta or Ha sido rechazada; they offer another way: ¿Tiene otra tarjeta? or ¿Paga en efectivo?
💡 Supermarket bread: barra (baguette-style loaf), pan de molde (sliced), integral (wholemeal); you bag it yourself or ask at the bakery.
💡 Diet words: sin gluten, sin lactosa, vegano, alergia, ingredientes.
💡 Many shops in Spain close late and are shut on Sundays; some towns have a midday break - check the opening hours.
💡 Home delivery is servicio a domicilio and an online order is a pedido por internet; ask about the minimum order (pedido mínimo) and delivery cost.
💡 Deals are oferta or promoción; dos por uno is two for the price of one, rebajas is the sale, descuento is a discount; the label shows old and new price.
💡 If the price at the till differs from the shelf, say calmly: Perdone, esto cuesta menos - the worker checks and corrects.
💡 Prices at the market are per kilo: ¿A cuánto está el kilo?; the answer is a tres euros el kilo; you can ask for half a kilo (medio kilo) or cuatrocientos gramos.
💡 At the butcher's they ask ¿Cómo lo quiere?: en filetes (steaks), picada (minced), entera (whole); thin slices are finas.
💡 Cold cuts and cheese are bought by weight: cien gramos, un cuarto (quarter kilo), una loncha (slice); jamón serrano is cured ham.
💡 Fish: fresco (fresh), limpio (cleaned), sin espinas (boneless); at the fishmonger ask them to clean it and remove the head: quítele la cabeza.
💡 At a market in Spain you greet (buenos días) and wait your turn; say ¿Quién es el último? (who is last) to know whom to follow.
💡 At markets people still often pay in cash; keep small change and do not ask for change from big notes without need.
💡 Asking for advice: ¿Qué me recomienda?; sellers gladly say what is in season (de temporada) and how to cook it.
💡 At the market you can ask ¿Puedo probar? - sellers offer a piece of fruit or cheese; do not take on your own without permission.
💡 A droguería or parafarmacia sells: detergente (washing powder), suavizante (softener), lejía (bleach), jabón (soap), champú (shampoo).
💡 Nappies are sold by size (talla) and weight: talla uno newborn, dos a few kilos more; ask by the baby's weight.
💡 Insect products: repelente, antimosquitos, crema para picaduras (bite cream); in summer buy them at a pharmacy or drugstore.
💡 On the cream you see the factor de protección (SPF) - the number shows the level; for children use fifty or higher, as the sun is strong in Spain.
💡 The fitting room is the probador; ask the assistant: ¿Puedo probármelo?; talla is size, más grande / más pequeño bigger / smaller.
💡 Colours: negro, blanco, azul, rojo, verde, gris; sizes S, M, L or a number; ¿Lo tiene en otro color? - do you have it in another colour.
💡 A shop takes an item back with the receipt (ticket), usually within two weeks or a month; clothes must be in good condition with tags; you get a refund or a voucher (vale).
💡 An exchange is a cambio: Quisiera cambiar esto por otra talla; this is usually enough, with the receipt; ask whether exchange works at another branch.
💡 During sales (rebajas) the label shows old and new prices; say ¿Tiene descuento? or ¿Está rebajado?
💡 A defective item is covered by a guarantee (garantía): two years; go to the shop with the receipt and explain what is wrong; they must repair, replace or refund.