How to Buy Loose Herbs by the Bunch in Spanish
Learn to ask for a bunch of cilantro or parsley, inquire the price per bunch, and request half a bunch at a market.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
At a market, you often see fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley sold in bunches, not pre-packaged. To buy them, you need to ask for a bunch, ask the price, and possibly request half a bunch. This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to use with vendors in Latin American Spanish. You will practice a simple dialogue and learn a key pattern that lets you swap in different herbs. The focus is on speaking naturally and politely in a casual market setting.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a bunch of a specific herb.
- ask how much a bunch costs.
- request half a bunch.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Me da un manojo de cilantro?
Can you give me a bunch of cilantro?
meh DAH oon mah-NOH-hoh deh see-LAHN-troh
Use this to ask for one bunch of cilantro. Replace 'cilantro' with another herb, like 'perejil' (parsley).
¿Cuánto por el manojo?
How much per bunch?
KWAHN-toh pohr el mah-NOH-hoh
Ask this to find out the price of one bunch. The vendor might respond with a price or 'por manojo'.
¿Me da medio manojo?
Can you give me half a bunch?
meh DAH MEH-dyoh mah-NOH-hoh
Use this if you only need half a bunch. Some vendors may not sell half, but it's fine to ask.
¿Tiene perejil?
Do you have parsley?
TYEH-neh peh-reh-HEEL
Ask this if you don't see the herb you want. Replace 'perejil' with other herbs like 'hierbabuena' (mint).
¿Me da dos manojos de cilantro?
Can you give me two bunches of cilantro?
meh DAH dohs mah-NOH-hohs deh see-LAHN-troh
Use this to ask for more than one bunch. Change 'dos' to another number if needed.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '¿Me da...?' means 'Can you give me...?' and is very common when asking for items at a market. You can use it with different quantities and herbs: '¿Me da un manojo de cilantro?' (Can you give me a bunch of cilantro?), '¿Me da medio manojo de perejil?' (Can you give me half a bunch of parsley?), '¿Me da tres manojos de hierbabuena?' (Can you give me three bunches of mint?). The verb 'dar' is used here in a polite request. Note that 'manojo' is masculine, so use 'un' or 'medio'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a market stall and want to buy fresh herbs sold in bunches. Start with '¿Me da...?' to make your request. If you need to know the price, ask '¿Cuánto por el manojo?' or '¿Cuánto cuesta el manojo?' If you only need a small amount, ask for 'medio manojo'. Vendors may sell only whole bunches, so be prepared to buy a full one. If you don't see the herb, ask '¿Tiene...?' followed by the herb name. Always use a friendly tone; 'por favor' can be added for extra politeness.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas, ¿me da un manojo de cilantro?
Hi, can you give me a bunch of cilantro?BWEH-nahs, meh DAH oon mah-NOH-hoh deh see-LAHN-trohClaro, aquí tiene. ¿Algo más?
Sure, here you go. Anything else?KLAH-roh, ah-KEE TYEH-neh. AHL-goh MAHS¿Cuánto por el manojo?
How much per bunch?KWAHN-toh pohr el mah-NOH-hohSon diez pesos. ¿Le doy medio?
It's ten pesos. Shall I give you half?sohn DYEHS PEH-sohs. leh DOY MEH-dyohA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American markets, herbs are sold in bunches called 'manojos'. Vendors are often friendly and may offer to sell half a bunch if you ask. It's common to greet with 'Buenas' or 'Buenos días' before making a request. Prices are usually per bunch, but you can always ask. In some regions, 'manojo' might be called 'ramo' or 'atado', but 'manojo' is widely understood. Always use a polite tone, and don't be afraid to ask for what you need.
One thing to watch for
Using the wrong article with a noun, like saying 'una manojo' when 'manojo' is masculine, or 'un rama' when 'rama' is feminine.
Try this instead: 'Manojo' is masculine, so use 'un manojo' or 'medio manojo'. For example, '¿Me da un manojo de perejil?' is correct. If you use a feminine noun like 'rama' (branch), you would say 'una rama', but for herbs, 'manojo' is standard.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for a bunch of parsley?
Show a sample answer
¿Me da un manojo de perejil?
This uses the pattern '¿Me da un manojo de...' with the herb 'perejil'. You could also say '¿Me da un manojo de perejil, por favor?' for extra politeness.
2What phrase would you use to ask the price of one bunch?
Show a sample answer
¿Cuánto por el manojo?
This directly asks 'How much per bunch?' Another valid way is '¿Cuánto cuesta el manojo?' Both are correct and common.
3How do you ask for half a bunch of cilantro?
Show a sample answer
¿Me da medio manojo de cilantro?
This uses 'medio manojo' to mean half a bunch. You could also say '¿Me da medio manojo de cilantro, por favor?' if you want to be more polite.
To buy herbs by the bunch, use '¿Me da un manojo de...?' and '¿Cuánto por el manojo?' For half, say 'medio manojo'. Practice with different herbs and quantities.
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