In this workshop you will practice asking for specific amounts of food in Spanish. You will use phrases like «un kilo de tomates» (a kilo of tomatoes) and «un litro de leche» (a liter of milk). You will also hear a short exchange between a customer and a shop worker, and you will take both roles. The goal is to help you say how much you want and understand when someone asks you the same question.
Asking for Amounts with de
To ask for a quantity of something, use an amount plus de plus the item. For example, «un kilo de tomates» means a kilo of tomatoes. «Un litro de leche» means a liter of milk. For eggs, you can say «media docena de huevos», which means half a dozen eggs. For smaller amounts, use grams: «doscientos gramos de queso» means two hundred grams of cheese. Notice that de links the amount to the food. The amount word comes first, then de, then the food. You can use these patterns in a shop, at a market, or when someone asks you what you need.
Understanding the Shop Exchange
Listen to this short exchange. The worker says: «Buenos días, ¿qué le doy?» That means Good morning, what can I get you? The customer answers: «Quisiera un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos.» That means I would like a kilo of tomatoes and half a dozen eggs. The worker replies: «Muy bien. ¿Algo más?» That means Very good. Anything else? The customer adds: «Sí, un litro de leche y doscientos gramos de queso.» That means Yes, a liter of milk and two hundred grams of cheese. In this scene, the worker is offering help, and the customer is ordering food. You can play either role.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
un kilo de tomates
a kilo of tomatoes
oon KEE-loh deh toh-MAH-tehs
un litro de leche
a liter of milk
oon LEE-troh deh LEH-cheh
media docena de huevos
half a dozen eggs
MEH-dyah doh-SEH-nah deh WEH-vohs
doscientos gramos de queso
two hundred grams of cheese
doh-SYEHN-tohs GRAH-mohs deh KEH-soh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buenos días, ¿qué le doy?
Good morning, what can I get you?Quisiera un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos.
I would like a kilo of tomatoes and half a dozen eggs.Muy bien. ¿Algo más?
Very good. Anything else?Sí, un litro de leche y doscientos gramos de queso.
Yes, a liter of milk and two hundred grams of cheese.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Place Your Order
Imagine you are at a small shop. The worker greets you with «Buenos días, ¿qué le doy?» You want to order a kilo of tomatoes and half a dozen eggs.
Your task: Say your order out loud in Spanish. Use the pattern «Quisiera un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos.» Then listen to the recording of the worker saying «Muy bien. ¿Algo más?» and answer with one more item: «Sí, un litro de leche.»
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Amount
You hear a customer say: «Quisiera un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos.» You are the worker and need to confirm what they want.
Your task: Read the three options and choose the one that matches what the customer said. Option A: un litro de leche y doscientos gramos de queso. Option B: un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos. Option C: doscientos gramos de queso y un litro de leche. Say your answer out loud in Spanish using the full phrase.
Recall with Correct Roles
You will now recall the full exchange from memory. One person is the worker (A) and one is the customer (B). The worker starts with a greeting and asks what to give.
Your task: Without looking at the text, say the worker's first line: «Buenos días, ¿qué le doy?» Then say the customer's full order: «Quisiera un kilo de tomates y media docena de huevos.» Then say the worker's follow-up: «Muy bien. ¿Algo más?» Finally, say the customer's second line: «Sí, un litro de leche y doscientos gramos de queso.»
Common questions
Do I need to change the word de when I use different amounts?
No. De stays the same. You simply change the amount and the food. For example, «un kilo de tomates», «un litro de leche», «media docena de huevos», and «doscientos gramos de queso» all use de. The amount word may change, but de does not.
How do I know if I am the worker or the customer in the exchange?
The worker asks «¿qué le doy?» and «¿Algo más?». The customer says «Quisiera...» and lists the items. If you hear a question about what to give, you are likely the worker. If you are ordering, you are the customer. You can practice both roles with the recording.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask for quantityChecked September 2026
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