la caja
La caja is the checkout or cashier area where you pay in a store. It can also mean a box, but in a supermarket context it usually means the checkout.
Common Phrases
- ir a la caja — to go to the checkout
- pagar en la caja — to pay at the checkout
Example
Voy a la caja ahora mismo.
I am going to the checkout right now.
Common Mistake
Do not translate word-for-word as la cajera when you mean the place. Use la caja for the checkout area; la cajera is the cashier (person).
la fila
La fila means the line or queue of people waiting. You will often use it when talking about waiting to pay.
Common Phrases
- hacer fila — to stand in line
- estar en la fila — to be in the line
Example
Estoy en la fila y ya casi me toca.
I am in line and it is almost my turn.
Common Mistake
Avoid mixing it up with la línea (a line as in a phone line, a drawn line, or a product line). For a queue of people, use la fila.
la marca
La marca is the brand or make of a product. It is useful when comparing store brands and name brands.
Common Phrases
- una marca conocida — a well-known brand
- cambiar de marca — to switch brands
Example
Prefiero una marca barata cuando compro arroz.
I prefer a cheap brand when I buy rice.
Common Mistake
Do not confuse la marca (brand) with marcar (to mark or to dial). Use la marca to talk about the product label or company.
la carne
La carne means meat in general, not a specific type. In stores, you will see it in the meat section and on labels like lean or fresh.
Common Phrases
- carne magra — lean meat
- comprar carne — to buy meat
Example
Hoy compro carne magra para la cena.
Today I am buying lean meat for dinner.
Common Mistake
Do not add an article when you are speaking generally in a list, like necesito la carne, la leche y la fruta. If it is general shopping, necesito carne, leche y fruta often sounds more natural.
la leche
La leche means milk. It is a staple item and often appears with types like whole, skim, or lactose-free.
Common Phrases
- leche entera — whole milk
- leche sin lactosa — lactose-free milk
Example
Necesito leche para el cafe.
I need milk for coffee.
Common Mistake
Watch accents: leche has no accent, and cafe is correctly spelled cafe in plain text but in Spanish it is cafe with an accent in standard spelling. In speaking, focus on the phrase leche para el cafe, not on overthinking the article.
la fruta
La fruta means fruit as a category. It is often used for the produce section or for fruit in general, not just one piece.
Common Phrases
- fruta madura — ripe fruit
- comprar fruta — to buy fruit
Example
La fruta madura esta mas dulce.
Ripe fruit is sweeter.
Common Mistake
Do not use las frutas just because English says "fruits". When you mean fruit in general, la fruta is usually the best choice; las frutas is more like different kinds of fruit.
el arroz
El arroz means rice. It is a common pantry item and appears in simple meal sentences.
Common Phrases
- cocinar arroz — to cook rice
- arroz blanco — white rice
Example
Cocino arroz cuando quiero algo sencillo.
I cook rice when I want something simple.
Common Mistake
Avoid the English plural idea arroz + es. In Spanish, arroz is generally uncountable, so you do not say arrozs. If you need portions, say un poco de arroz or una taza de arroz.
la lata
La lata is a can (a metal container) used for foods like tuna. It is common in pantry shopping and quick lunches.
Common Phrases
- una lata de atun — a can of tuna
- abrir una lata — to open a can
Example
Compre una lata de atun para hoy.
I bought a can of tuna for today.
Common Mistake
Do not confuse una lata (a can) with lata in the expression que lata (what a nuisance). In the supermarket, una lata de is the safe, practical pattern.