MARKETS AND SHOPS
Shopping Spanish for Mexico: prices, sizes, and a graceful no
Shopping becomes manageable when the number is visible. Ask the price, move it into writing when needed, and keep a polite line ready when you want to browse without committing.
THE MOMENT
Move numbers out of memory
If a spoken price disappears before you can process it, do not keep guessing. Ask for it to be written and confirm the currency shown before paying.
FOUR LINES TO CARRY
Say it, know it, hear it
¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
How much does this cost?¿Tiene una talla más grande?
Do you have a larger size?Solo estoy mirando, gracias.
I am just looking, thank you.¿Puede escribir el precio?
Could you write down the price?INTERACTIVE PRACTICEOpen the market payment lab
SMALL-SHOP PAYMENT RECOVERY
Ask before the sale depends on the card
Card acceptance can differ from one counter or stall to the next. Ask before the item is packed, listen for tarjeta, efectivo, compra mínima, or señal, and settle the fallback before handing over a large bill.
THE JOB
Check card acceptance at this stall and recover when it is cash-only
- BEFORE YOU BUY
Antes de comprar, ¿acepta tarjeta o solo efectivo?
Before I buy, do you accept cards, or cash only? - WHAT MAY COME BACK
Solo efectivo. No aceptamos tarjeta.
Cash only. We do not accept cards. - CHECK THE CASH FALLBACK
¿Tiene cambio de quinientos pesos?
Do you have change for five hundred pesos?
Sí, aceptamos tarjeta.
Yes, we accept cards.Solo efectivo.
Cash only.Hay una compra mínima.
There is a minimum purchase.No hay señal.
There is no signal.Reviewed 22 August 2026. El Colegio de México’s Diccionario del español de México supports the core Mexican Spanish terms used here. It defines the words; it does not establish the access or payment policy of a particular place.
These are possible replies, not a Mexico-wide acceptance rule. Ask the specific seller, confirm the total and currency, keep the card in sight, and decide the fallback before paying.
LISTEN + RECOVERLikely replies and recovery phrases
WHAT MAY COME BACK
Recognize the shape of the answer
Cuesta trescientos pesos.
It costs three hundred pesos.Listen for cuesta, the number, and pesos. Those three pieces carry the answer.No tenemos esa talla.
We do not have that size.No tenemos means we do not have it; talla is size.These are listening examples, not a script every speaker will follow.
WHEN YOU LOSE THE THREAD
Recovery is part of the conversation
Ask for slower speech, repetition, or a moment to understand. That is successful communication—not failure.
FIELD USEField notes and official source
USE IT IN THE REAL MOMENT
Three field notes
- Use the calculator or a written price when a number matters more than conversational flow.
- “Solo estoy mirando, gracias” lets you keep browsing without inventing an excuse.
- For sizes, point to the item while asking so talla has an obvious reference.
COMMON QUESTIONSQuestions before you use the phrase
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you need the phrase
How do I ask how much something costs in Mexico?
Say “¿Cuánto cuesta esto?” while indicating the item. Ask for the price in writing if the spoken number is unclear.
How do I say I am just looking?
Use “Solo estoy mirando, gracias.” It is a polite way to continue browsing without buying immediately.
How do I check whether a small shop or market stall takes cards?
Before the sale depends on it, ask “¿Acepta tarjeta o solo efectivo?” Listen for tarjeta, efectivo, compra mínima, or señal. If the seller says cash only, show or name your bill and confirm change before paying.
KEEP PREPARINGRelated travel moments
PREPARE THE NEXT MOMENT
Continue with a related guide
TAKE IT WITH YOU
Save the phrase in Pocket Mode
The same audio and English meaning stay available in the compact offline phrase pocket.