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spesa
/ˈspe.za/
grocery shopping
Vado a fare la spesa al supermercato.
I'm going grocery shopping at the supermarket.
informal
The act of purchasing food and household items from a store.
Ho finito la spesa per la settimana.
I've finished the grocery shopping for the week.
Commonly used in everyday Italian to refer to routine shopping trips.
informal
The amount of money spent on purchasing goods, especially food.
La spesa di questo mese è stata alta.
This month's grocery bill was high.
Often used in financial contexts to discuss household expenses.
formal
In economics, the total expenditure on goods and services by households.
La spesa delle famiglie italiane è aumentata del 2%.
Italian household spending increased by 2%.
Used in macroeconomic analysis to measure consumer behavior.
Collocations
fare la spesato go grocery shoppinglista della spesashopping listcentro commerciale per la spesashopping mall
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguishing meanings
Pay attention to context: 'fare la spesa' always means grocery shopping, while 'la spesa' alone can refer to the act or the expense. For example, 'Ho fatto la spesa' means 'I did the grocery shopping,' while 'La spesa è alta' means 'The grocery bill is high.'
Gold Rule
Verb vs. noun
Remember that 'spesa' is a noun. The verb form 'spendere' (to spend) is different. 'Spendere' refers to the act of paying money, while 'spesa' refers to the result or the shopping activity.
Word Origin
From Latin 'expensa' (expenses), past participle of 'expendere' (to weigh out, pay out). Evolved through Vulgar Latin 'spensa' to Italian 'spesa'.
Usage Notes
The word 'spesa' can refer to both the act of shopping and the amount spent. Context usually clarifies the meaning. In southern Italy, 'spesa' may also colloquially refer to any shopping activity, not just groceries.
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese