supermercado
/ˌsupeɾmeɾˈkado/
The Spanish phrase supermercado means supermarket.
The word supermercado is used to describe a supermarket. In certain regions, such as the Caribbean and parts of South America, the word bodega is used to refer to a small convenience store instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The term uses the prefix super-, which is identical to the English prefix meaning 'above' or 'over' and is used here to denote a large-scale version of a market.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, supermercados, simply add -s to the end of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌsupeɾmeɾˈkado/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the supermercado is not just for food but also serves as a primary location for paying utility bills and recharging phone credits.
- The word supermercado is a calque, which means it was created by translating the English word 'supermarket' piece by piece into Spanish.
- While supermercado describes the store, the act of shopping there is often described as hacer la compra, which literally means 'doing the purchase'.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde está el supermercado más cercano?Where is the nearest supermarket?
- Necesito ir al súper a hacer las compras.I need to go to the supermarket to do the shopping.
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esto en el supermercado?How much does this cost in the supermarket?
- Voy al supermercado ahora.I am going to the supermarket now.
- El supermercado está muy cerca.The supermarket is very close.
- Necesito comprar algo en el supermercado.I need to buy something at the supermarket.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about groceries in the kitchen.
- SofíaNo tenemos leche ni pan.We have no milk or bread.
- JavierPuedo ir al supermercado hoy.I can go to the supermarket today.
- SofíaGracias, Javier. Trae también frutas.Thanks, Javier. Bring some fruit too.
- JavierClaro, voy ahora mismo.Sure, I'm going right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry supermercado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries supermercado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
