mercado
/meɾˈkado/
The English word 'market' is translated into Spanish as mercado.
mercado is the most commonly used term for market in Spanish. Depending on the specific type of market, other terms may be more precise: Plaza de mercado refers to an open-air or covered market square selling fresh produce, meats and other goods. Feria describes a fair, a festival or a small market that pops up temporarily. In Latin America, Centro de abastos is often used to refer to a wholesale market or a large center where products are sold in bulk.
Meaning: gathering for trading (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Tianguis is used to describe an open-air market where vendors sell a wide range of products.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mercado is masculine and is typically used with the definite article el to form el mercado. The plural form is los mercados.
How do you pronounce it?
/meɾˈkado/
Did you know?
- The Mexican word tianguis comes from the Nahuatl word tianquiztli used by the Aztecs. It describes the ancient tradition of open-air markets that predates Spanish arrival in the Americas.
- Some traditional mercados in Spain are built around a plaza mayor where the central square transitions from a political center to a commercial market depending on the day.
- The Spanish word mercado shares its origin with the English word 'merchandise', as both derive from the same Latin root related to trade.
Examples in context
- Yo fui al mercado.I went to the market.This sentence is useful for expressing that you went to the market with the form mercado.Tatoeba #1190106 by marcelostockle, translation #1098058 by cntrational
- No fui al mercado.I didn't go to the market.This sentence is useful for expressing that you did not go to the market with the form mercado.Tatoeba #4489145 by cueyayotl, translation #4170325 by Wuzzy
- John va al mercado.John goes to the market.This sentence is useful for expressing that John goes to the market with the form mercado.Tatoeba #1190100 by marcelostockle, translation #1098036 by cntrational
- Voy al mercado a comprar frutas y verduras frescas.I am going to the market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are deciding where to buy fresh vegetables.
- MaríaHay mucha fruta fresca en el mercado.There is a lot of fresh fruit at the market.
- Alejandro¿Vamos al mercado hoy, María?Are we going to the market today, María?
- MaríaSí, es un mercado muy bueno.Yes, it is a very good market.
- AlejandroPerfecto, preparo las bolsas.Perfect, I will prepare the bags.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mercado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mercado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
