Shopping at the Supermarket: What Do I Buy? (Nivel Básico A2)

Shopping at the supermarket is an everyday activity for many people. It is where we buy food, drinks, and other items we need for our daily lives. Let me share a story about a typical trip to the supermarket, where we can learn some useful vocabulary and phrases along the way.

Maria was getting ready to go shopping. She looked at her fridge and noticed it was almost empty. "I need to buy some groceries," she thought. She grabbed her shopping list and headed to the supermarket.

As Maria walked in, she went straight to the fruits and vegetables section. She picked up some apples, bananas, and a bag of carrots. "These look fresh," she said, placing them in her cart. Next, she moved to the dairy products aisle. She needed milk and yogurt. She carefully checked the expiration dates before adding them to her cart.

In the meat and seafood section, Maria decided to buy some chicken and a small piece of salmon for dinner. She thought about making a healthy meal. She then headed to the breads and grains aisle. She grabbed a loaf of whole-grain bread and a box of cereal for breakfast.

Maria realized she was running low on coffee, so she picked up a bag from the drinks section. "I can’t start my day without coffee," she laughed to herself.

As Maria was checking her list, she noticed she forgot sugar. She asked a store employee, "Excuse me, where can I find sugar?" The employee replied, "It’s in aisle five." Maria thanked him and quickly found the sugar she needed.

When Maria reached the checkout counter, the cashier asked, "Do you need a bag?" Maria replied, "Yes, please." After paying for her groceries, she packed everything into reusable bags and headed home.

At home, Maria unpacked her groceries and felt proud of her organized shopping trip. "I got everything I needed," she said with satisfaction.

Shopping at the supermarket can be a simple and enjoyable task if you know what to look for and how to ask for help. Just like Maria, you can use English phrases and vocabulary to make your shopping experience smoother. Remember to plan ahead with a shopping list and enjoy the process of choosing what you need for your meals.

Glossary

• Supermarket: A large store where people buy food and other items. (Supermercado: Una tienda grande donde la gente compra comida y otros artículos.)

• Fruits: Sweet and edible parts of plants, like apples and bananas. (Frutas: Partes dulces y comestibles de las plantas, como manzanas y plátanos.)

• Vegetables: Edible plants or parts of plants, like carrots and lettuce. (Vegetales: Plantas comestibles o partes de plantas, como zanahorias y lechuga.)

• Dairy: Foods made from milk, like cheese and yogurt. (Lácteos: Alimentos hechos de leche, como queso y yogur.)

• Aisle: A passage between rows of shelves in a supermarket. (Pasillo: Un pasaje entre filas de estantes en un supermercado.)

• List: A written set of items to remember or organize. (Lista: Un conjunto escrito de artículos para recordar u organizar.)

• Groceries: Items of food and household supplies purchased at a store. (Compras: Artículos de comida y suministros comprados en una tienda.)

• Reusable bags: Bags that can be used multiple times, often for shopping. (Bolsas reutilizables: Bolsas que se pueden usar múltiples veces, a menudo para compras.)