racha de compras
/rat͡ʃa de kompɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase shopping spree is translated into Spanish as racha de compras.
Depending on the context, you might also use the informal expression Compras a lo loco to mean shopping like crazy or the colloquial phrase De compras sin control to describe shopping without control.
Meaning: period of shopping (noun)
Which one should you use?
Compras a lo loco focuses on the frenetic nature of the activity (shopping like crazy) and De compras sin control emphasizes a lack of restraint (shopping without control).
How do you pronounce it?
/ratʃa de kompɾas/
Did you know?
- The word racha might be linked to the Arabic word rajja, which means 'agitation' or 'shaking'. This suggests the 'spree' in your phrase carries a hidden sense of turbulent or shaken movement.
- The word racha is used to describe a 'gust of wind' (racha de viento), linking the idea of a shopping spree to a sudden, powerful burst of nature.
- The term racha is also used in sports to describe a winning or losing 'streak', applying the same logic of an uninterrupted period to both athletics and shopping.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at several new shopping bags.
- SofíaMira todo lo que compré en mi racha de compras.Look at everything I bought on my shopping spree.
- Javier¡Vaya! Gastaste demasiado dinero, Sofía.Wow! You spent too much money, Sofía.
- SofíaLo sé, pero todo estaba en oferta.I know, but everything was on sale.
- JavierDeberês descansar antes de la próxima vez.You should rest before the next time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, racha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
