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comprare generi alimentari al supermercato
/komˈpra.re ˈdʒɛ.ni a.li.menˈta.ri al su.per.merˈka.to/
to do the grocery shopping
Vado al supermercato a comprare generi alimentari ogni sabato mattina.
I go to the supermarket to do the grocery shopping every Saturday morning.
neutral
To purchase food and household essentials at a supermarket.
Devi comprare generi alimentari per la settimana?
Do you need to buy groceries for the week?
Al supermercato ho comprato pane, latte e frutta.
At the supermarket I bought bread, milk, and fruit.
This phrase is a literal combination of the verb 'comprare' (to buy) with the noun phrase 'generi alimentari' (groceries/food items) and the prepositional phrase 'al supermercato' (at the supermarket). It is not idiomatic but a common collocation in Italian.
Collocations
fare la spesato do the grocery shoppingacquistare generi alimentarito purchase groceriessupermercato localelocal supermarket
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'comprare generi alimentari' alone without specifying where (e.g., 'al supermercato'). Italians often say 'fare la spesa' for general grocery shopping, while 'comprare generi alimentari al supermercato' is more specific.
Gold Rule
When to Use
Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that you are shopping for groceries specifically at a supermarket, as opposed to a market, small shop, or online.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'comprare' (from Latin 'comparare', meaning 'to obtain') with 'generi alimentari' (from Latin 'alimentarius', meaning 'relating to food') and 'supermercato' (from English 'supermarket', a large self-service store selling groceries). The structure reflects standard Italian grammar for describing shopping activities.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in everyday Italian to describe the routine activity of shopping for food and household necessities. It is more specific than the general 'fare la spesa' (to do the grocery shopping) as it explicitly mentions the location (supermarket).
Word Breakdown
comprare
to buy
verbgeneri alimentari
groceries/food items
noun phraseal supermercato
at the supermarket
prepositional phraseDizionario Italiano-Inglese