Boost your Spanish: Master conversations at Bogota's Local Markets

One of the best ways to improve your Spanish is by practicing in real-life situations.

Local markets in Bogotá offer an immersive and dynamic environment where you can engage in authentic conversations, learn new vocabulary, and experience Colombian culture firsthand.

Why are markets great for practicing Spanish?

Markets are full of opportunities to use Spanish naturally. Unlike a classroom, where conversations are structured, every exchange is unpredictable and real here. Vendors love to chat, making asking about prices, quantities, and recommendations easy.

You’ll also pick up the rhythm of spoken Spanish, from casual slang to regional expressions. One vendor might say “Estos aguacates están en su punto”, while another jokes, “Lléveselos que están a precio de regalo.” These everyday phrases help you sound more like a local.

Beyond language, markets introduce you to Colombian culture and traditions. You’ll learn about exotic fruits you’ve never seen before, experience the local way of bargaining, and develop listening skills by hearing different accents and speech patterns.

It’s not just about learning Spanish, it’s about using it in a way that feels real, fun, and connected to daily life where:

Vendors are friendly and eager to interact.
You can practice asking for prices, quantities, and recommendations.
You’ll hear the real rhythm of spoken Spanish, including slang and regional expressions.
It provides an opportunity to learn about local foods, traditions, and bargaining techniques.
You can develop listening skills by hearing different accents and speech patterns.

How does our Spanish School help you learn in real-life situations?

At Learn More Than Spanish, we believe the best way to learn Colombian Spanish is by using it in real-life situations. That’s why we take our students to Bogotá’s local markets, where they can practice Spanish while experiencing the city’s culture firsthand.

What we do

Market visits with our teachers: Our instructors guide students through markets like Paloquemao and La Perseverancia, helping them interact with vendors, ask questions, and use practical vocabulary.

Real conversations: Instead of memorizing words from a book, students talk to locals, ask for prices, and even negotiate. This makes learning natural and helps with confidence.

Learn through food: Tasting exotic fruits and trying traditional dishes like ajiaco or arepas makes vocabulary easier to remember. Plus, learning how to ask for la ñapa (a little extra) is a fun way to feel like a local.

Interactive challenges: We create small challenges to keep students engaged. Whether it’s asking for the ripest mango or learning the name of a fruit they’ve never seen before, every conversation is a chance to improve.

Why it works

Markets are full of Colombian Spanish, from the way vendors greet customers to the expressions they use daily. Learning in this environment helps students speak more naturally, understand real conversations, and gain confidence.

Essential Spanish vocabulary for markets

Common Words

Mercado (market)
Puesto (stall/stand)
Frutas (fruits)
Verduras (vegetables)
Carnes (meats)
Pescado (fish)
Precio (price)
Descuento (discount)
Pesos (Colombian currency)
Cambio (change)
Bolsa (bag)
Fresco (fresh)
Maduro (ripe)
Verde (unripe) – Yes, like the color, but it refers to an unripe fruit or vegetable here.
Dulce (sweet)
Agrio (sour)
Picante (spicy)

And one of the most important words you should know is:

Ñapa: It doesn’t have a specific English translation.

“Ñapa” comes from a Quechua (Indigenous) word meaning “help” or “increase.”

Slang meaning: It’s a little bit of something extra given for free. It’s typically used when buying street food or fruits at the market.

Colombian way: When you order passion fruit juice in the market, the bit of juice still left in the blender at the end could be given to you as “ñapa.”

The “Ñapa” is also that extra bread roll that a baker tucks into your bag.

In Colombia, street food vendors, bakers, people at the fruit markets, and many others are used to give “ñapa”.

But you can also ask for it:

Vecino, y la ñapa?

Learn more Colombian slang “30 Colombian slangs and what they mean”

Key phrases

¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
¿Me puede dar un kilo de…? (Can you give me a kilo of…?)
¿Tiene algo más fresco? (Do you have anything fresher?)
¿Puede hacerme un descuento? (Can you give me a discount?)
¿Cuál es la fruta más dulce? (Which fruit is the sweetest?)
¿Cómo se llama esta fruta? (What is this fruit called?)
Voy a pagar en efectivo. (I’m going to pay in cash.)
Voy a pagar con tarjeta. (I’m going to pay with a card.)
¿Me puede recomendar algo típico? (Can you recommend something traditional?)
¡Qué rico se ve esto! (This looks delicious!)
Muchas gracias, que tenga un buen día. (Thank you very much, have a nice day.)

Practicing these phrases will help you feel more confident when shopping at markets.

Best markets to visit in Bogotá

Paloquemao Market: The largest and most traditional market, known for its variety of fruits, flowers, and fresh produce.

La Perseverancia Market: Famous for its local food stalls, where you can taste traditional dishes while chatting with friendly vendors.

Usaquén Sunday Market: A great mix of traditional food, arts, and crafts, ideal for practicing Spanish while enjoying live performances.

Don’t miss the chance to try Colombia’s unique exotic fruits at the local markets!

Simple exercise: Market challenge

Goal: Build confidence by engaging in conversations with vendors.

Before going to the market, write down 5 Spanish words you want to use.
Challenge yourself to ask at least 3 questions in Spanish.
Try to buy something by using complete sentences.
After your visit, write a short paragraph in Spanish about your experience.

Example:

“Hoy fui al mercado Paloquemao. Compré plátanos y naranjas. Hablé con un vendedor y le pregunté cuánto costaban las frutas. ¡Fue una gran práctica de español!”

By taking on these small challenges, you’ll enhance your Spanish skills while experiencing the vibrant culture of Bogotá’s markets.

Want to learn Spanish in Bogotá with real experiences? Join us and practice Spanish beyond the classroom!