Spanish word

estanco

Pronunciation

IPA/esˈtaŋko/

Meaning

  • masculine nountobacco store

Example

Voy al estanco a comprar tabaco.

I am going to the tobacco store to buy tobacco.

Illustration for estanco (tobacco store)

More examples

El estanco está al lado de la panadería.

The tobacco store is next to the bakery.

Core concept

Shopfront with an 'ESTANCO' sign and a counter selling cigarettes and stamps.

Common phrases

  • ir al estanco

    go to the tobacco store

  • comprar tabaco en el estanco

    buy tobacco at the tobacco store

Similar words

tienda de tabaco: Mainly sells tobacco and related products from a small retail shop.
quiosco: Sells cigarettes, newspapers, and snacks from a street or plaza kiosk.
papelería: Sells stationery, school supplies, and postage stamps in a small shop.

Definition in Spanish

Tienda oficial donde se venden tabaco y sellos, autorizada por el Estado para esas ventas.

Word origin

Derived from Spanish estancar and ultimately from Latin stagnare 'to stagnate', reflecting that authorities restricted tobacco sales to authorized shops.

Usage tips

  • The term estanco is common in Spain but in many Latin American countries the equivalent shop is called tabaquería.

Other meanings

  • stamp shopnoun
  • tobacco monopolynoun

Related words

  • estanquerotobacconistnoun

Word lists with this word