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"Shop" is a noun which is often translated as "la tienda", and "buy" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "comprar". Learn more about the difference between "shop" and "buy" below.
shop(
shap
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la tienda
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
I bought this scarf from a shop downtown.Compré esta bufanda de una tienda en el centro.
b. el almacén
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
(South America)
The shop opens from 10 am to 5 pm.El almacén abre de 10 am a 5 pm.
c.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I have to go to the fish shop to buy some hake.Tengo que ir a la pescadería a comprar merluza.
They have a pair of really nice boots in that shoe shop.En esa zapatería tienen unas botas muy bonitas.
2. (workshop)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. el taller
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
My car's in the shop.Mi coche está en el taller.
3. (act of purchasing)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
a. la compra
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
Let's do the shop today.Vayamos hoy a hacer la compra.
4. (education)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. el taller de manualidades
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
What elective are you taking next semester? - Shop, probably.¿Qué curso electivo vas a tomar el siguiente semestre? - El taller de manualidades, probablemente.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. comprar
The local market is the best place to shop.El mercado local es el mejor lugar para comprar.
b. hacer compras
I don't like to shop on Saturdays.No me gusta ir a hacer compras el sábado.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to inform on)
a. vender
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
He shopped his brother to save his own skin.Vendió a su hermano para salvarse el pellejo.
a. comprar en
Minnie loves to shop the Black Friday sales.A Minnie le encanta comprar en las rebajas de Viernes Negro.
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
buy(
bay
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. comprar
I have to buy a birthday present for my brother.Tengo que comprar un regalo de cumpleaños para mi hermano.
a. sobornar
He tried to buy the mayor but ended up in jail.Intentó sobornar al alcalde pero terminó en la cárcel.
b. comprar
The mafia bought a juror.La mafia compró a un miembro del jurado.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to believe)
a. tragarse
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
I don't think she'll buy that you're a prince.No creo que se trague que seas un príncipe.
b. creer
I don't buy your explanation. It doesn't make sense.No creo tu explicación. No tiene sentido.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. comprar
My manager sent me to Los Angeles to buy for the company.El gerente me mandó a Los Ángeles a comprar por la empresa.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la compra
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
The truck was a great buy, because it hardly needs any maintenance at all.El camión fue una gran compra ya que casi no necesita ningún mantenimiento en absoluto.
b. la ganga
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
This computer was a great buy. It was 60% off!Fue una ganga esta computadora. ¡Estuvo rebajada el 60%!
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.