Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): El domingo vamos al mercado para comprar fruta fresca. - On Sunday we go to the market to buy fresh fruit.

El domingo = on Sunday (a specific/next Sunday)
Los domingos = on Sundays (habitually)
En domingo exists but is less common and sounds like “on a Sunday” in a generic sense (e.g., Trabaja en domingo = “He works on a Sunday/On Sundays,” often in labor contexts).

Why isn’t domingo capitalized?

Days of the week (and months) are not capitalized in Spanish unless they start a sentence. So domingo is correct.

Why is it vamos (present) and not iremos (future)?

Spanish often uses the present with a future time expression to talk about plans. El domingo vamos… is perfectly natural. El domingo iremos… is also correct but can sound a bit more formal or less immediate.

Can I say Vamos a ir instead of vamos?

Yes: El domingo vamos a ir al mercado… is fine and highlights it as a future plan. With a destination already present (al mercado), plain vamos is often simpler and more natural; vamos a ir can feel a bit redundant but is common.

Where is nosotros? Do we need to say it?

Spanish usually omits subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. Vamos already means “we go.” You can add Nosotros vamos for emphasis or contrast.

Why al and not a el?

It’s the mandatory contraction: a + el → al. So you must say al mercado, not a el mercado.

Could it be a la instead?

Only if the noun is feminine. Mercado is masculine, so al mercado. But you’d say a la frutería (“to the greengrocer’s”) because frutería is feminine.

Why para comprar and not por comprar?

Use para + infinitive to express purpose (“in order to”). Por usually expresses cause/reason/exchange. Here the purpose is buying fruit, so para comprar is correct; por comprar would be odd.

Why is comprar in the infinitive? Can I use a comprar instead of para comprar?

After a preposition (like para), Spanish uses the infinitive: para comprar. After verbs of motion you can also use a + infinitive for purpose: Vamos al mercado a comprar fruta fresca. In Spain, a comprar is very idiomatic; para comprar is equally correct and a bit more neutral.

Why singular fruta and not plural frutas?

Fruta is a mass/collective noun in Spanish, so comprar fruta means buying fruit in general. Comprar frutas suggests several kinds or pieces of fruit (variety or count). Both are possible; the singular is more common for groceries.

Why fresca (feminine) and not fresco?

Adjectives agree with the noun. Fruta is feminine singular, so fresca. If you used the plural frutas, you’d say frutas frescas.

Can I move El domingo to the end?

Yes. Vamos al mercado el domingo para comprar fruta fresca is also correct. Time expressions can go at the start or the end; initial position often highlights the time frame.

Should there be a comma after El domingo?

Not required. You can add a comma for a pause or emphasis (El domingo, vamos…), but it’s optional here.

Does El domingo mean the coming Sunday?

Usually, yes (the next Sunday from “now”), unless context says otherwise. To be explicit:

Este domingo / el domingo que viene = this/coming Sunday
El domingo pasado = last Sunday

When would I use para que + subjunctive instead of para + infinitive?

Use para + infinitive when the subject is the same: Vamos… para comprar (we… to buy). Use para que + subjunctive when the subject changes: Vamos… para que tú compres (so that you buy).

What exactly is mercado in Spain? How is it different from other places to buy food?

Mercado: a public market with stalls (fish, meat, produce). Very common in Spanish towns/cities.
Mercadillo: a street/flea market (often weekly), may include clothes and some food.
Supermercado: a supermarket.
Frutería: a greengrocer’s shop. Saying al mercado with the article often refers to the known local market.