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To Go Window Shopping, Showcase Display

 

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  #1  
Old March 21, 2022, 04:35 PM
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To Go Window Shopping, Showcase Display

I learned the phrase "to go window shopping" as "ir/salir de mirar escaparates." But I learned it in Spain and I think that is the wording that is only used in Peninsular Spanish.

How is this said in Mexico?
Ir/salir a mirar vitrinas?
Ir/salir a mirar vidrieras?


I learned that a "showcase display" is an "escaparate." But again I learned the word in Spain.

What is the picture below called in Mexico; a vitrina?
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Old March 23, 2022, 10:23 PM
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I'll reply as I understand these words, and as I've seen them used. Usage and meaning may change from region to region or even people.

"Escaparate" is the window outside the store and "aparador" is the display inside the store, without glass. However, both words are often used as synonyms.

"Vitrina" (the one in your photo) is a display case with glass. According to the dictionary, "vitrina" may be a synonym of "vidriera", which is an "escaparate" as well. But we don't use "vidriera" in Mexico, and I've never heard "vitrina" for "escaparate". Normally, "vitrinas" are smaller and not outside.

"Mostrador" is a flat surface where salespeople show you small items and where you pay. It may have a "vitrina" included.

As for how we say "window shopping"... In my family we say "bobear" (like being silly "just looking"), but I think this is idiosyncratic of my family only. No one else I know says that.
Anyway, I don't think there is actually a verb in Mexico for that. Most people I know would say "ver tiendas". In some regions the verb "mirar" may be more popular, but in my environment we use "ver". Also, we don't say "ir de tiendas"; I think we'd say "ir/salir a ver tiendas".
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Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; March 23, 2022 at 10:32 PM.
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Old March 24, 2022, 05:47 PM
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Thank you, AngelicaDeAlquezar.
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Old March 24, 2022, 09:46 PM
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I don't know a term for window shopping, but unlike Mexico and Spain, many
Caribbeans use the word vitrina instead of escaparate. You probably can say
dar un paseo a mirar las vitrinas de los almacenes.
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Last edited by poli; March 25, 2022 at 05:46 AM.
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Old March 25, 2022, 11:31 AM
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Thank you, poli.
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Old March 25, 2022, 02:27 PM
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I liked Angelica's bobear, because 'to go window shopping' means to go to a store with no intention of buying anything (whether they have display cases or not, windows or not). But, as she said, it's a term only her family uses.

Maybe there's a universally understood phrase for going shopping, but with no plans to spend any money while out.
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