a granel
/a ɡɾaˈnel/
The English phrase 'bulk' is translated into Spanish as a granel.
The phrase a granel is used specifically for commodities like food, liquids or materials sold by weight or volume without individual packaging. While 'a granel' refers to the method of selling loose goods, it is not used to mean 'in large quantities' in the sense of a bulk order. For that, one would use al por mayor.
Meaning: large in size, mass, or volume (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase a granel literally translates to 'in grain' or 'by grain', referring to goods sold loose rather than in pre-packaged containers.
Which one should you use?
Use al por mayor when you want to express buying or selling in large quantities (wholesale) rather than the physical state of the goods being loose (bulk).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Costa Rica, the phrase por cantidad is used to refer to something purchased or sold in bulk. In Venezuela, al mayor is used to express the concept of 'wholesale' or 'bulk'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a ɡɾaˈnel/
Did you know?
- The term granel originates from the Catalan word graner, meaning 'granary', which connects the concept of selling loose goods directly to the storage of grain.
- In Venezuela, you can skip the full phrase al por mayor and simply say al mayor to express the idea of wholesale or bulk.
- While most Spanish speakers use different terms for wholesale, people in Costa Rica often use the phrase por cantidad to describe buying in bulk.
Examples in context
- Vendo el arroz a granel o envasado en paquetes de un kilo.I sell rice in bulk or packed in 1 kilogram bags.This sentence shows how to use a granel when describing rice sold loose versus packaged.Tatoeba #1614686 by wallebot, translation #1614688 by wallebot
- Podemos ofrecer un descuento si compras en grandes cantidades.We can offer a discount if you buy in large quantities.
- ¿Tienen estos productos disponibles al por mayor?Do you have these products available wholesale?
- Los precios son más bajos si compras en volumen.Prices are lower if you buy in volume.
- Tenemos manzanas a montones en el jardín.We have loads of apples in the garden.
- Voy a comprar refrescos por cantidad para la fiesta.I'm going to buy sodas in bulk for the party.
- Me gustaría comprar productos al mayor.I would like to buy products wholesale.
- Prefiero comprar las especias a granel.I prefer to buy spices in bulk.
- En esa tienda venden frutos secos a granel.In that store, they sell dried fruits in bulk.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are shopping at a zero-waste store.
- SofíaMira, venden avena a granel aquí.Look, they sell oats in bulk here.
- Alejandro¡Qué bien! Traje mis propios frascos.That's great! I brought my own jars.
- Sofía¿Cuánta avena quieres comprar, Alejandro?How much oatmeal do you want to buy, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSolo un kilo, por favor.Just one kilo, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bulk” translations and entries a granel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, granel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
