bodega

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bodega" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a small grocery store, especially in urban areas, often selling a variety of food and household items. Example: "I stopped by the bodega on my way home to pick up some snacks and drinks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

ON HIS way home from a local bodega, 13-year-old Devin Almonor, who is black, was stopped by an unmarked car that pulled up beside him.

The Economist

Anyone who visits a bodega in poor areas in New York knows that the fresh produce section often consists of six varieties of banana and a single shrivelled parsnip.

The Economist

I know of no professional roulette or slots players, for instance, and about the pamphlets at my corner bodega that purport to reveal "secrets of the lottery" the less said the better.

The Economist

Mr. Hernandez told the police that he strangled Etan that morning, moments after luring the boy into the basement of a nearby bodega where he worked with his brother-in-law, and then put the body in the trash.

The New York Times

Later novels, such as La bodega (1906; The Fruit of the Vine, 1919), are held to have suffered from a heavy ideological treatment of serious social problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Contemporaneous with the Generation of 1898 but belonging aesthetically to the 19th century, Blasco Ibáñez wrote regional novels of Valencia, crusaded for socialism, and treated contemporary social problems from an anarchist perspective in such novels as La bodega (1905; "The Wine Vault"; Eng. trans. The Fruit of the Vine) and La horda (1905; The Mob).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bodega is extensive, so visitors are taken round the complex on a small train, which trundles past the warehouses and gardens, stopping from time to time so that passengers can explore the cellars, and see La Concha, the unusual pavilion designed by Gustave Eiffel for a royal visit.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a cheerful café-pub-trattoria-bodega-taverna (again, perhaps I am an edge-of-frame type).

Independent

"High-low humor is really the name of the game right now," Eben Freeman said of his choice to make electric-blue Hpnotiq the liquor of the month at his new bodega-chic bar in Little Italy.

The New Yorker

The fire in Bodega Bay was a montage of mattes of houses, smoke and birds, with only the fire, in the backlot at Universal, really burning.

The Economist

Reality, in cinema, was not truthful unless it was entirely controlled by him.His fishing-town of Bodega Bay in Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) could also never be found in one place.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If your writing focuses on wine production or storage, ensure that you use "bodega" to refer to a winery or wine cellar, to avoid confusion with the more common meaning of a convenience store.

Common error

Avoid using "bodega" to refer to any type of store. It's most accurately used for small grocery stores or convenience stores, especially those with a Hispanic cultural connection. Using it too broadly can dilute its specific meaning and cultural significance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bodega" is as a noun. It typically refers to a small grocery store or convenience store, as shown in Ludwig's examples where it describes corner stores or establishments selling everyday items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "bodega" functions primarily as a noun, commonly referring to a small grocery or convenience store, particularly one with Hispanic cultural ties. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, it's important to be mindful of the term's specific meaning and avoid overgeneralizing it to all types of stores. As shown by Ludwig's examples, "bodega" appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but it can also be found in encyclopedias and other general writing. Consider using semantically related terms such as "corner store" or "convenience store" depending on your audience and the specific context. Using "bodega" adds authenticity, especially when writing about urban areas with a strong Hispanic influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corner store

Refers to a small retail store, often located on a street corner, selling everyday items.

convenience store

Emphasizes the ease and speed of purchasing essential goods.

small grocery store

A general term for a smaller-scale food retailer.

local market

Highlights the community aspect and proximity.

neighborhood store

Focuses on the store's role within a residential area.

general store

Suggests a wider variety of goods beyond just groceries.

Hispanic grocery store

Specifies the type of goods and cultural focus of the store.

wine cellar

Refers specifically to a place where wine is stored, particularly for aging.

winery

Highlights the production aspect of wine, rather than just storage or retail.

liquor store

A store that specializes in alcoholic beverages.

FAQs

How is "bodega" typically used in a sentence?

"Bodega" is commonly used as a noun to describe a small grocery store or convenience store. For example: "I'm going to the "bodega" to buy milk."

What can I say instead of "bodega"?

You can use alternatives like "corner store", "convenience store", or "small grocery store" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bodega" or "supermarket"?

"Bodega" and "supermarket" describe different types of stores. A "bodega" is a small store, while a "supermarket" is a much larger store with a wider selection.

What's the difference between "bodega" and "deli"?

A "bodega" typically sells a variety of grocery and household items, while a "deli" (or delicatessen) specializes in prepared foods such as sandwiches, salads, and sliced meats. However, some "bodegas" may also offer deli items.