Como Se Dice Comprar En Inglés

How to Say "Comprar" in English: A Comprehensive Guide

The Spanish verb comprar translates directly to the English verb "to buy." However, like many language translations, there's more to it than just a simple one-to-one correspondence. This article will delve into the nuances of using "to buy" in English, explore related vocabulary, and provide practical examples to help you express the idea of "comprar" accurately and confidently. We will also explore other verbs and phrases that can be used instead of "to buy", depending on the context, and discuss common mistakes to avoid.

Understanding the Basics: "To Buy"

"To buy" is the most straightforward and common translation of comprar. It signifies the act of acquiring something in exchange for money. Here's how it works in different tenses:

• Present Simple: I buy, you buy, he/she/it buys, we buy, they buy
  • Example: I buy groceries every week. (Yo compro alimentos cada semana.)
• Present Continuous: I am buying, you are buying, he/she/it is buying, we are buying, they are buying
  • Example: She is buying a new dress for the party. (Ella está comprando un vestido nuevo para la fiesta.)
• Past Simple: I bought, you bought, he/she/it bought, we bought, they bought
  • Example: We bought a car last year. (Compramos un coche el año pasado.)
• Past Continuous: I was buying, you were buying, he/she/it was buying, we were buying, they were buying
  • Example: He was buying a present when I saw him. (Él estaba comprando un regalo cuando lo vi.)
• Future Simple: I will buy, you will buy, he/she/it will buy, we will buy, they will buy
  • Example: They will buy a house in the countryside. (Ellos comprarán una casa en el campo.)
• Present Perfect: I have bought, you have bought, he/she/it has bought, we have bought, they have bought
  • Example: I have already bought the tickets. (Ya he comprado las entradas.)
• Past Perfect: I had bought, you had bought, he/she/it had bought, we had bought, they had bought
  • Example: She had bought the ingredients before I arrived. (Ella había comprado los ingredientes antes de que yo llegara.)
• Future Perfect: I will have bought, you will have bought, he/she/it will have bought, we will have bought, they will have bought
  • Example: By next week, I will have bought all the books I need. (Para la semana que viene, habré comprado todos los libros que necesito.)

Related Vocabulary: Expanding Your "Comprar" Lexicon

Knowing "to buy" is just the beginning. Here's a range of related words and phrases that will enhance your ability to talk about buying in English:

• Purchase: This is a more formal synonym for "buy." It's often used in business contexts.
  • Example: The company made a significant purchase of new equipment. (La empresa hizo una compra significativa de nuevos equipos.)
• Acquire: This implies obtaining something, not necessarily through a monetary transaction. It can also refer to acquiring knowledge or skills.
  • Example: He acquired the painting at an auction. (Él adquirió la pintura en una subasta.)
• Get: A very common and versatile word that can often replace "buy" in informal contexts.
  • Example: I need to get some milk from the store. (Necesito comprar leche en la tienda.)
• Shop: This refers to the activity of visiting stores to look at and potentially buy things.
  • Example: We went shopping for clothes yesterday. (Fuimos de compras ayer para comprar ropa.)
• Bargain: To negotiate a lower price.
  • Example: He bargained with the vendor and got a good price. (Él regateó con el vendedor y consiguió un buen precio.)
• Afford: To have enough money to buy something.
  • Example: I can't afford to buy a new car. (No puedo permitirme comprar un coche nuevo.)
• Sale: An event where goods are sold at reduced prices.
  • Example: I bought this jacket on sale. (Compré esta chaqueta en oferta.)
• Discount: A reduction in price.
  • Example: They offer a discount for students. (Ofrecen un descuento para estudiantes.)
• Retail: The sale of goods to the public.
  • Example: The retail price of the book is $20. (El precio de venta al público del libro es de $20.)
• Wholesale: The sale of goods in large quantities to retailers.
  • Example: We buy our supplies wholesale. (Compramos nuestros suministros al por mayor.)
• Customer: A person who buys goods or services.
  • Example: The customer was happy with the service. (El cliente estaba contento con el servicio.)
• Consumer: A person who uses goods or services.
  • Example: Consumers are becoming more aware of environmental issues. (Los consumidores se están volviendo más conscientes de los problemas ambientales.)
• To order: To request something to be made or supplied, especially food or goods.
  • Example: I ordered a pizza online. (Pedí una pizza en línea.)
• To reserve/book: To secure something in advance, like a table at a restaurant or tickets to a show. Although it does not directly translate to "comprar," often involves payment.
  • Example: I booked a hotel room for the weekend. (Reservé una habitación de hotel para el fin de semana.)

Contextual Examples: Putting it all Together

Let's see how these words and phrases are used in real-life situations:

1. "I want to buy a new computer." (Quiero comprar una computadora nueva.) This is a simple and direct translation.
2. "She purchased a house in the suburbs." (Ella compró una casa en los suburbios.) "Purchased" sounds more formal and is suitable for a significant transaction like buying a house.
3. "Where did you get that shirt?" (¿Dónde compraste esa camisa?) "Get" is a casual alternative to "buy."
4. "I'm going shopping this weekend." (Voy a ir de compras este fin de semana.) This indicates the activity of browsing and buying.
5. "Can you afford to buy a new car?" (¿Puedes permitirte comprar un coche nuevo?) This asks about the financial ability to make a purchase.
6. "I bought it on sale for half the price!" (¡Lo compré en oferta a mitad de precio!) This highlights a discounted purchase.
7. "The retail price is too high; I'll wait for a discount." (El precio de venta al público es demasiado alto; esperaré un descuento.) This focuses on pricing and waiting for a better deal.
8. "He acquired a vast collection of rare books." (Él adquirió una vasta colección de libros raros.) "Acquired" emphasizes obtaining the collection, not necessarily through a purchase.
9. "We need to order more supplies for the office." (Necesitamos pedir más suministros para la oficina.) "Order" is used when requesting something to be delivered.
10. "I reserved a table at the restaurant for tonight." (Reservé una mesa en el restaurante para esta noche.) "Reserved" is used to secure something in advance.

Verbs That Imply Buying: Beyond Direct Translation

Sometimes, the best way to express comprar isn't with "to buy" itself, but with a verb that implies the action of buying within a specific context.

• Invest: To put money into something with the expectation of a future return. This implies buying something that will increase in value or generate income.
  • Example: He invested in the stock market. (Invirtió en la bolsa de valores.)
• Subscribe: To pay a regular fee to receive a service or product, such as a magazine or streaming platform. This implies buying access or regular deliveries.
  • Example: I subscribe to Netflix. (Estoy suscrito a Netflix.)
• Rent/Lease: To pay for the use of something for a specific period, rather than owning it. This is the opposite of buying, but it's relevant as an alternative.
  • Example: We rented an apartment for the summer. (Alquilamos un apartamento para el verano.)
• Commission: To order the creation of something, like a painting or a piece of furniture. This implies buying a custom-made item.
  • Example: She commissioned a portrait of her family. (Ella encargó un retrato de su familia.)
• Sponsor: To provide financial support to an event, person, or organization. This can be seen as buying advertising or goodwill.
  • Example: The company sponsors a local sports team. (La empresa patrocina a un equipo deportivo local.)
• Donate: To give money or goods to a charity or cause. While not buying, it's an exchange where you "buy" something intangible, like satisfaction or social good.
  • Example: I donated to the Red Cross. (Doné a la Cruz Roja.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Ensuring Accuracy

Here are some common errors that Spanish speakers might make when using "to buy" and related vocabulary, along with explanations and corrections:

• Incorrect Word Choice:
  • Incorrect: "I want to do shopping a new car."
  • Correct: "I want to buy a new car." (The verb "to buy" is needed here.)
  • Correct: "I want to go shopping for a new car." (Using "shopping" requires the preposition "for" and implies browsing.)
• Misusing "Purchase":
  • Incorrect: "I purchased a coffee."
  • Correct: "I bought a coffee." ("Purchase" is generally reserved for more significant transactions.)
• Confusing "Buy" and "Pay":
  • Incorrect: "I buyed the bill."
  • Correct: "I paid the bill." ("Pay" refers to giving money in exchange for goods or services, while "buy" refers to acquiring the goods or services.)
• Wrong Preposition with "Shop":
  • Incorrect: "I went shopping to the mall."
  • Correct: "I went shopping at the mall." (Use "at" to indicate the location.)
• Using the Wrong Tense: Pay attention to the context and make sure you are using the correct tense of "to buy." For example, don't say "I will buyed" (incorrect) when you should say "I will buy" (correct) or "I bought" (correct depending on context).
• Literal Translation Errors: Avoid directly translating idioms or phrases from Spanish that don't have a direct equivalent in English. For example, instead of trying to directly translate a complex idiom related to "comprar," try to express the same idea in simpler terms using the vocabulary you've learned.

Practice Exercises: Sharpening Your Skills

To solidify your understanding, try translating these sentences from Spanish to English using the vocabulary and concepts discussed above:

1. Necesito comprar pan y leche.
2. Ella compró un regalo para su madre.
3. ¿Puedes permitirte comprar esa casa?
4. Fuimos de compras ayer.
5. Compré este libro en oferta.
6. Estoy pensando en invertir en bienes raíces.
7. Me suscribo a una revista de cocina.
8. Alquilamos un coche para el fin de semana.
9. Él encargó una pintura de su perro.
10. Doné ropa vieja a la caridad.

(Answers at the end of the article)

Conclusion: Mastering "Comprar" in English

While "to buy" is the primary translation of comprar, understanding the nuances of English vocabulary related to purchasing, acquiring, and related actions will greatly enhance your communication skills. By mastering the various tenses, exploring related terms like "purchase," "acquire," and "shop," and avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently express the concept of comprar in a wide range of contexts. Remember to consider the specific situation and choose the word or phrase that best conveys your intended meaning. With practice, you'll be able to navigate the world of buying and selling in English with ease and precision.

Answers to Practice Exercises:

1. I need to buy bread and milk.
2. She bought a gift for her mother.
3. Can you afford to buy that house?
4. We went shopping yesterday.
5. I bought this book on sale.
6. I am thinking of investing in real estate.
7. I subscribe to a cooking magazine.
8. We rented a car for the weekend.
9. He commissioned a painting of his dog.
10. I donated old clothes to charity.