comprare
/komˈpra.re/
The Italian word for buying is comprare.
The primary way to express the act of buying is with the verb comprare. While comprare is the standard term, you may also encounter acquisto, which is the noun form specifically referring to a purchase. In casual conversation, speakers often use the verb prendere to mean buying something.
Meaning: act of making a purchase (noun)
Which one should you use?
While comprare is the standard verb used for the action, acquisto is a noun that refers to the resulting purchase itself. In a colloquial context, prendere acts as a substitute for the verb comprare.
How does it change in a sentence?
In English, the gerund 'buying' is often used as a noun or after certain verbs. In Italian, this is frequently translated using the infinitive form comprare.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /komˈpra.re/. The stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word acquisto for a purchase is also used in sports to describe a new player signed to a team, treating the athlete as a professional acquisition.
- The Italian verb comprare shares the same Latin root as the English word 'compare'. Originally, the Latin comparāre meant to bring things together or procure them, which evolved into both evaluating differences and acquiring goods.
- While comprare is used for most purchases, Italians often use fare la spesa for 'buying' when referring specifically to groceries and household necessities.
Examples in context
- Odio comprare i vestiti.I hate buying clothes.This sentence shows how to use comprare to express a dislike for the activity of buying clothes.Tatoeba #8926829 by Guybrush88, translation #8926793 by CK
- Smettemmo di comprare libri.We stopped buying books.This sentence demonstrates using comprare after the verb 'to stop'.Tatoeba #13745462 by Guybrush88, translation #13681118 by frpzzd
- Non mi andava di comprare un'auto.I didn't feel like buying a car.This sentence shows comprare used to express a lack of inclination toward buying a car.Tatoeba #3064731 by Guybrush88, translation #258408 by CK
- Voglio acquistare una nuova macchinaI want to buy a new car.
- Devo comprare del paneI need to buy some bread.
- Il mio ultimo acquisto è stato un computerMy latest purchase was a computer.
- Ho comprato un nuovo telefonoI bought a new phone.
- Vado a prendere del gelatoI'm going to buy some ice cream.
- Ho dovuto sborsare molti soldi per quella borsa di lussoI had to shell out a lot of money for that luxury bag.
- Devo comprare del latte e del paneI need to buy some milk and bread.
- Mi piacerebbe acquistare un biglietto per il concertoI would like to purchase a ticket for the concert.
- Ho preso un libro in quella graziosa libreriaI bought a book in that lovely bookstore.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are discussing their monthly budget.
- SofiaDobbiamo ridurre il comprare cose inutili.We need to reduce buying useless things.
- LorenzoHai ragione, spendiamo troppo ogni mese.You are right, we spend too much every month.
- SofiaAllora basta comprare gadget elettronici per un po'.Then stop buying electronic gadgets for a while.
- LorenzoVa bene, Sofia, sono d'accordo con te.Alright, Sofia, I agree with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry comprare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comprare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
