¿puedo comprar?
To ask can I buy? In Spanish, say ¿puedo comprar?
¿puedo comprar? asks whether it is possible or allowed to buy something. In a shop you would usually add what you want, as in ¿Puedo comprar esto? for can I buy this? A softer request is Me gustaría comprar esto, por favor. To ask the price as well, say ¿Cuánto cuesta y cómo puedo adquirirlo?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is the verb poder (to be able to, can) in the first person singular present, followed by the infinitive comprar (to buy).
Which one should you use?
¿Me lo vendes? turns the question around and asks the seller to sell it to you. In Spain you may also hear ¿Me lo puedes vender?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget the opening ¿ mark. Written Spanish needs it at the start of every question, so write ¿puedo comprar?
Did you know?
- In some regions, instead of saying ¿puedo comprar?, a customer might say ¿me regala…? when asking for an item. This does not mean they want it for free, but is a polite way of saying 'could you give me'.
- If you are buying something small at a kiosk or street stall, you might hear the seller use the word mandar in a phrase like ¿qué le mando? In this specific commercial context, it does not mean 'to send' but 'to serve' or 'to provide'.
- When you are spending money to buy something, you might use the verb gastar. This word literally means 'to wear out' or 'to consume', as if you are physically wearing down your wealth.
Examples in context
- Buenas tardes, me gustaría comprar esto, por favor.Good afternoon, I would like to buy this, please.
- Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta y cómo puedo adquirirlo?Excuse me, how much does it cost, and how can I buy it?
- Oye, ¿puedo comprarlo?Hey, can I buy it?
- ¿Amigo, me lo vendes?Friend, do you sell it to me?
