el súper
everyday
In Mexico "grocery" shopping is el mandado, and a grocery store is el súper for a supermarket or una tienda de abarrotes for a small shop. It is also called abarrotes.
Meaning: food shopping or a store that sells it (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| el súper | everyday |
| abarrotes | Mexico, small shop |
| el mandado | Mexico, grocery errand |
Voy a hacer el mandado means "I am going grocery shopping". Abarrotes is the sign you see on small neighborhood stores selling basics.
Which one should you use?
In Spain people say hacer la compra. In Mexico el mandado is the natural phrase, and la compra sounds foreign.
How does it change in a sentence?
Abarrotes is plural and masculine. The singular is rarely used.
Did you know?
- Neighborhood shops called tienditas are an important part of everyday life in Mexico and sell everything from milk to phone credit.
Examples in context
- Voy al súper por el mandado.I am going to the supermarket for groceries.
- La tienda de abarrotes abre a las siete.The grocery store opens at seven.
- ¿Ya hiciste el mandado?Did you already do the grocery shopping?
Example conversation
Teresa asks her son Daniel to go shopping for the family in Aguascalientes.
- TeresaDaniel, ¿puedes hacer el mandado?Daniel, can you do the grocery shopping?
- DanielSí, mamá. ¿Qué falta?Yes, Mom. What do we need?
- TeresaLeche, huevos y tortillas.Milk, eggs and tortillas.
