A simplified illustration of an auctioneer wearing a vest standing behind a wooden podium, holding a wooden gavel raised high, ready to strike. A single hand is raised in the foreground, indicating a bid.

subasta

soo-BAH-sta

nounfB1

auction?public sale

Also:public sale?formal context,bidding?the process itself

📝 In Action

Mi abuela vendió su colección de sellos en una subasta.

My grandmother sold her stamp collection at an auction.

La subasta de arte moderno atrajo a coleccionistas de todo el mundo.

The modern art auction attracted collectors from all over the world.

Ganamos la casa en la subasta, pero tuvimos que pujar mucho.

We won the house at the auction, but we had to bid a lot.

Word Connections

Synonyms

remate (auction (often used regionally))
puja (bid/bidding (the act of offering a price))

Common Collocations

ganar la subasta – to win the auction
subasta benéfica – charity auction
subasta pública – public auction

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'subasta' is a feminine word, so you must use 'la subasta' or 'una subasta'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'subasta' as a verb instead of 'subastar'. (e.g., 'Yo subasta mi coche')."

Correction: The correct verb is 'subastar' (to auction). The noun is 'subasta'. ('Yo subasto mi coche' or 'Pongo mi coche en una subasta').

⭐ Usage Tips

The Action Word

The verb related to 'subasta' is 'subastar' (to auction). The person who runs the event is called a 'subastador' (auctioneer).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: subasta

Question 1 of 2

If you want to sell an old painting to the highest bidder, you would put it in a:

📚 More Resources

Word Family

subastar(to auction) - verb

subastador(a)(auctioneer) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'subasta' y 'puja'?

Una 'subasta' es el evento completo (the auction). Una 'puja' es cada oferta individual de dinero que hace una persona durante ese evento (a single bid). The verb for 'to bid' is 'pujar'.

How do I say 'auctioneer' in Spanish?

The person who runs the auction is called the 'subastador' (if male) or 'subastadora' (if female).