tienda de segunda mano
/ˌtjenda de seˌɡunda ˈmano/
In Spanish, thrift store is translated as tienda de segunda mano.
A store that sells used clothing and other household items.
Which one should you use?
While tienda de segunda mano is the most common way to say thrift store, it can refer specifically to a shop selling used goods, whereas tienda de ropa usada would focus specifically on used clothing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Tianguis is used to describe a flea market where second-hand items can be found.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌtjenda de seˌɡunda ˈmano/
Did you know?
- Unlike in the US, where thrift stores are often associated with charities, many tiendas de segunda mano in Spanish-speaking countries are purely commercial enterprises.
- In some regions, people use the verb regatear when shopping at a tienda de segunda mano or tianguis, which means to haggle over the price.
- The Spanish word tienda is a linguistic relative of the English word 'tent'. Both come from a Latin root meaning to stretch, referring to the fabric of a temporary shelter.
Examples in context
- Lo compré en una tienda de segunda mano.I bought it in a thrift store.This sentence shows how to use tienda de segunda mano to indicate where an item was purchased.Tatoeba #6060950 by albrusgher, translation #2306652 by Hybrid
- Hay una tienda de segunda mano cerca de aquí.There is a thrift store near here.
- Busco una chaqueta en la tienda de segunda mano.I am looking for a jacket in the thrift store.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are walking downtown.
- SofíaMira esa tienda de segunda mano, Javier.Look at that thrift store, Javier.
- Javier¿Crees que tienen libros viejos?Do you think they have old books?
- SofíaSí, entremos a ver qué hay.Yes, let's go in and see what's there.
- JavierVale, me gusta buscar cosas raras.Okay, I like looking for strange things.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tienda de segunda mano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, mano, tienda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
