If you want to go beyond basic Spanish vocabulary, in this article from don Quijote we bring you compound words in Spanish. Do you know what types of compound words there are? They probably exist in your native language too, but do you know how to use them in Spanish?

Discover everything related to compound words, their meaning, and example sentences so you can see where and when to use them. Are you ready to take your journey of learning Spanish in Spain to the next level? don Quijote helps you achieve the level you've always wanted.

What are compound words in Spanish?

In Spanish, compound words are those that are formed by joining two or more simple words. Thus, both words combine their structures and create a new term with a meaning different from the original words. Compound words in Spanish can be formed by several grammatical elements: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or prepositions.

In general, compound words in Spanish can be inseparable, for example, sacapuntas, which is a single indivisible unit. Or they can be separable, such as teórico-práctico, when it comes to elements that retain a certain independence.

Types of Spanish compound words

As mentioned above, just as compound words can be inseparable or separable, there are different types and divisions. These are the most common:

• They form a single word. The union of two words contributes to the appearance of a single word. The elements may undergo modifications. For example, agridulce (bittersweet), rompecabezas (puzzle), or medianoche (midnight).
• They remain separate. Two words are joined, but they refer to a single element, so they are written separately, even though their meaning is combined. For example: medio ambiente (environment) or pez espada (swordfish).
• Joined by a hyphen. Although they form a single word, they are separated by a hyphen, but they designate a single referent and do not merge, as in the previous examples. For example: hispano-romano (Hispanic Roman) or socio-económico (socio-economic).

List of Spanish compound words

Once you understand that there are different types of compound words in Spanish, it's time to learn the most common ones. Below is a complete list of very common compound words, the two words that form them, and their meaning.

Common Spanish compound words

• Abrecartas (abre + cartas). Letter opener: an object used to open envelopes or paper letters.
• Abrelatas (abre + latas). Can opener: a tool for opening cans of food.
• Agridulce (agrio + dulce). Bittersweet: a flavor that combines sweet and sour.
• Altamar (alta + mar). High seas: the open sea, far from the coast.
• Bienestar (bien + estar). Well-being: state of satisfaction or comfort.
• Boquiabierto (boca + abierto). Open mouth: when a person is very surprised.
• Bocacalle (boca + calle). Turning or entrance into a street: entrance or beginning of a street.
• Cumpleaños (cumple + años). Birthday: anniversary of birth.
• Girasol (gira + sol). Sunflower: plant that turns its flower toward the sun-
• Guardaespaldas (guarda + espaldas). Bodyguard: person who protects another.
• Lavavajillas / lavaplatos (lava + vajillas/platos). Dishwasher: machine that automatically washes dishes.
• Limpiaparabrisas (limpia + parabrisas). Windshield wiper: mechanism in cars that cleans the front glass when it rains.
• Maldecir (mal + decir). Curse: to insult or speak ill of someone.
• Medianoche (media + noche). Midnight: 12:00 a.m.
• Paraguas (para + aguas). Umbrella: an object used to protect oneself from the rain.
• Pararrayos (para + rayos). Lightning rod: a device that protects against lightning strikes.
• Pasamanos (pasa + manos). Handrail: a bar used for support when going up or down stairs.
• Pelirrojo (pelo + rojo). Redhead: a person with red hair.
• Quitamanchas (quita + manchas). Stain remover: a product that removes stains from clothing or other surfaces.
• Rascacielos (rasca + cielos). Skyscraper: a very tall building in cities.
• Rompecabezas (rompe + cabezas). Puzzle: a difficult puzzle or riddle.
• Sacapuntas (saca + puntas). Pencil sharpener: tool for sharpening pencils.
• Salvavidas (salva + vidas). Life jacket or life vest: float or object to prevent drowning.
• Sobremesa (sobre + mesa). After-dinner conversation: time spent at the table after eating.
• Tirachinas (tirar + chinas). Slingshot: instrument for throwing small stones.

Spanish compound words with hyphens

• Cultural-lingüístico (cultural + lingüístico). Cultural-linguistic: topics related to culture and language.
• Físico-químico (físico + químico). Physical-chemical: topics related to physics and chemistry.
• Histórico-artístico (histórico + artístico). Historical-artistic: related to history and art.
• Hispano-alemán / franco-español (hispano + alemán / franco + español). Hispanic-German / French-Spanish: mixed or related to two countries.
• Médico-quirúrgico (médico + quirúrgico). Medical-surgical: topics related to medicine and surgery.
• Político-social (político + social). Political-social: topics related to politics and society.
• Socio-económico (socio + económico). Socio-economic: social and economic in nature.
• Teórico-práctico (teórico + práctico). Theoretical-practical: combining theory and practice.

Separate compound words in Spanish

• Caja fuerte (caja + fuerte). Safebox: a place to store valuable items.
• Casa cuna (casa + cuna). An institution for babies or young children.
• Coche bomba (coche + bomba). Car bomb: a vehicle used as an explosive device.
• Lagarto ocelado (lagarto + ocelado). Ocellated lizard: reptile with circular spots.
• Manos libres (manos + libres). Hands-free: device that allows you to use the phone without using your hands.
• Mesa camilla (mesa + camilla). Table with brazier: traditional round table with a brazier.
• Ojo de buey (ojo + buey). Porthole: round window on ships.
• Ojo de gallo (ojo + gallo). Cock's eye: injury to the foot.
• Oso panda (oso + panda). Panda bear: black and white mammal native to China.
• Pata de gallo (pata + de + gallo). Crow's feet: wrinkles around the eyes.
• Pez ángel (pez + ángel). Angelfish: ornamental fish.
• Pez espada (pez + espada). Swordfish: type of fish with an elongated shape.
• Pez globo (pez + globo). Pufferfish: fish that inflates like a balloon.
• Perro guía (perro + guía). Guide dog: dog that helps blind people.
• Piel de gallina (piel + de + gallina). Goosebumps: sensation when the hair stands on end.
• Serpiente coral (serpiente + coral). Coral snake: brightly colored snake.
• Tiburón martillo (tiburón + martillo). Hammerhead shark: shark with a hammer-shaped head.
• Uña de gato (uña + gato). Cat's claw: medicinal climbing plant.

These are just some of the most common compound words in Spanish that you may hear in everyday life or during your intensive Spanish course. And if you want to learn more, we invite you to visit our website and come to one of the 11 cities where we offer Spanish classes so you can perfect the language in a short time and in your own way.

Who hasn't heard of Black Friday? The most popular day of the year, which has turned into a whole month of discounts, has arrived in Spain and the Spanish-speaking world to stay.

As a Spanish language school, don Quijote also has its own Black Friday discounts, but we also want to bring you this article with Spanish shopping vocabulary that will be useful for this event and for the rest of the year.

It doesn't matter what you want to buy: clothes, technology, food, or even Spanish courses in Spain. Knowing all this vocabulary, words, and expressions will help you get by better in physical stores, on e-commerce websites, and in real-life situations.

If you're learning Spanish, stick around because in this guide you'll find essential vocabulary, useful phrases, and practical dialogues for Black Friday. Plus, we've included a special section with our offers and discounts to improve your Spanish with don Quijote.

Practical guide to learning Spanish with Black Friday

Learn essential shopping vocabulary in Spanish before diving into Black Friday expressions. You need to master the basic vocabulary you'll need in any buying or selling situation in Spanish.

• Tienda (Store)
• Comercio (Shop)
• Comprar (Buy)
• Caro (Expensive)
• Barato (Cheap)
• Comprador (Buyer)
• Vendedor (Seller)
• Precio (Price)
• Producto (Product)
• Oferta (Offer)
• Descuento (Discount)
• Rebaja (Sale)
• Carrito / cesta (Cart / basket)
• Caja (Checkout)
• Ticket
• Devolución (Return)
• Garantía (Warranty)
• Envío (Shipping)
• Entrega (Delivery)
• Política de devoluciones (Return policy)
• Acceso exclusivo (Exclusive access)
• Rebajas anticipadas (Early sales)
• Condiciones del descuento (Discount conditions)
• Términos y condiciones (Terms and conditions)

Black Friday vocabulary

Below you will find essential vocabulary for Black Friday, although you will also use it during the sales season, in specific offers, or in special campaigns throughout the year:

• Black Friday
• Cyber Monday (online promotions on the Monday after Black Friday)
• Oferta limitada (Limited offer)
• Descuento especial (Special discount)
• Últimas unidades (Last few items)
• Solo hoy (Today only)
• Precio final (Final price)
• Rebajas anticipadas (Early sales)
• Cupón / Código promocional (Coupon/promotional code)
• Hasta agotar existencias (While supplies last)
• Hasta ocupar todas las plazas (Until all spots are filled)

Useful phrases for shopping in Spanish

Once you have internalized all the basic words you need for Black Friday, here are some expressions that will help you in physical stores and when shopping online. Remember that all these words and phrases can also be useful throughout the year.

• ¿Cuánto cuesta este artículo? (How much does this item cost?)
• ¿Tienen otras tallas / colores? (Do you have other sizes/colors?)
• ¿Puedo probármelo? (Can I try it on?)
• ¿Cuál es el precio con descuento? (What is the discounted price?)
• ¿Puedo devolverlo si no me queda bien? (Can I return it if it doesn't fit?)
• ¿Cuánto tarda el envío? (How long does shipping take?)
• ¿Incluye gastos de envío? (Does it include shipping costs?)
• ¿Cómo puedo aplicar el cupón de descuento? (How can I apply the discount coupon?)
• ¿Cuáles son los términos y condiciones? (What are the terms and conditions?)
• ¿Cuál es el precio de este producto? (What is the price of this product?)
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? (Can I pay by card?)
• ¿Tienen política de devoluciones? (Do you have a return policy?)
• Tenemos un descuento especial del 40% solo hoy (We have a special discount of 40% today only)
• Esta oferta es válida hasta agotar existencias (This offer is valid while supplies last)
• Introduce el código promocional para obtener tu descuento (Enter the promotional code to get your discount)

Origin of Black Friday

Black Friday originated in the United States and is associated with the day after Thanksgiving, when millions of people officially begin their Christmas shopping.

However, the term Black Friday began to gain popularity in the 1960s in Philadelphia, when the police started using it to describe the enormous traffic and chaos on the streets due to the massive increase in shoppers.

Over time, this concept evolved and stores began to offer big discounts. In this way, it came to symbolize the moment when businesses went from being “in the red” to “in the black” thanks to increased sales due to the approach of the Christmas season.

Black Friday in Spain

In Spain, Black Friday has grown significantly in recent years, although it only began to gain popularity in 2012. Why? Because in 2012, the regulation limiting sales campaigns was eliminated, allowing stores to launch promotions at any time of the year.

Currently, there is no business or company that does not participate in this day of massive discounts. People have even begun to “celebrate” Singles’ Day on November 11, and the discounts are often added to Black Friday.

The most popular stores where you can find exclusive discounts on this day are large fashion chains, supermarkets, technology stores, online academies, courses, and training programs.

In addition, many brands extend their promotions throughout the week, in what they call “Black Week,” or even almost the entire month of November. Many brands and companies have also jumped on the Cyber Monday bandwagon.

Black Friday is much more than a day of discounts and shopping; it's an excellent opportunity to continue learning useful Spanish vocabulary. Mastering these words and expressions will allow you to communicate better in stores, understand advertisements, and take advantage of offers at any time of the year.

And if you also want to improve your Spanish with courses or training activities, this is the perfect time to discover special promotions!