The word supermercado refers to a large retail store that sells a variety of goods, including groceries, household items, and often other products like clothing and electronics. It is a common term in Spanish-speaking countries, indicating a place where customers can purchase food and other necessities in a self-service manner.
Frequency of Use: The term supermercado is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, but it is more commonly seen in spoken language due to the everyday nature of grocery shopping.
Voy al supermercado a comprar alimentos.
I am going to the supermarket to buy groceries.
El supermercado está abierto hasta las diez de la noche.
The supermarket is open until ten at night.
Me gusta hacer la compra en el supermercado los sábados.
I like to do the shopping at the supermarket on Saturdays.
The term supermercado is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions, but it can be used in various phrases to convey particular meanings related to shopping and consumer habits. Here are some example sentences with "supermercado" that illustrate its use:
El supermercado es un microcosmos de la sociedad.
The supermarket is a microcosm of society.
En el supermercado, encuentras de todo y a buen precio.
In the supermarket, you find everything at a good price.
Siempre es mejor comparar precios en el supermercado antes de comprar.
It is always better to compare prices at the supermarket before buying.
Hacer la compra en el supermercado puede ser una experiencia estresante.
Shopping at the supermarket can be a stressful experience.
The term supermercado comes from the Spanish prefix "super-" (meaning "above" or "over") and the word "mercado" (meaning "market"). It was likely coined in the mid-20th century as large grocery retailers began to emerge, reflecting a move towards self-service shopping.
Synonyms: - Tienda de comestibles (grocery store) - Hipermercado (hypermarket)
Antonyms: - Mercado (market – typically smaller and less comprehensive than a supermarket) - Bodega (corner store or small shop)