ir de compras
/iɾ de kompɾas/from spelling rules
To go shopping in Spanish is ir de compras.
The phrase ir de compras is used for general shopping or shopping for pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ir de compras translates to to go of shopping/purchases.
Which one should you use?
While ir de compras is used for general shopping or shopping for pleasure, ir a comprar is more commonly used when the intent is to go buy a specific item or perform a specific errand.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense 'we went shopping', you conjugate the verb 'ir' into the preterite 'fuimos' followed by 'de compras' to get fuimos de compras. To express the future tense 'we will go shopping', you conjugate the verb 'ir' into the future 'iremos' followed by 'de compras' to get iremos de compras.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾ de kompɾas/
Did you know?
- The verb ir in ir de compras is a linguistic mosaic. While most forms come from the Latin 'īre', the word voy comes from 'vādere' and fui actually comes from the Latin word for 'to be'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, ir de compras can be a social ritual involving several hours of walking and coffee breaks, rather than just a trip to buy goods.
- Depending on the country, someone saying they are ir de compras might be headed to a tianguis, a traditional open-air street market found primarily in Mexico.
Examples in context
- ¿Quieres ir de compras?Do you want to go shopping?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to go shopping using ir de compras.Tatoeba #3850897 by cueyayotl, translation #3348174 by CK
- Ella pretendía ir de compras.She intended to go shopping.This sentence is useful for stating an intention to go shopping using ir de compras.Tatoeba #1425756 by marcelostockle, translation #887226 by CK
- Mañana tengo que ir de compras.Tomorrow I have to go shopping.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity to go shopping using ir de compras.Tatoeba #5129840 by don_ramon, translation #5177276 by tabular
- Quisiera saber si puedo ir de compras durante el fin de semana.I would like to know if I can go shopping during the weekend.
- ¿Podrías decirme dónde puedo hacer compras cerca del centro comercial?Could you tell me where I can go shopping near the mall?
- En mi viaje a Madrid, necesito realizar algunas compras para regalos.During my trip to Madrid, I need to do some shopping for gifts.
- Voy a ir de tiendas para buscar ropa nueva para la fiesta de mañana.I'm going to go shopping to look for new clothes for tomorrow's party.
- ¿Quieres ir a comprar los ingredientes para la cena de esta noche?Do you want to go buy the ingredients for tonight's dinner?
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are planning their Saturday afternoon.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿quieres ir de compras conmigo?Daniel, do you want to go shopping with me?
- DanielSí, me gustaría ir de compras por la tarde.Yes, I would like to go shopping in the afternoon.
- Lucía¡Perfecto! Necesito ropa nueva.Perfect! I need new clothes.
- DanielYo también tengo que ir de compras.I also have to go shopping.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ir de compras, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
