vender
/ben-der/
to sell
Vender (to sell): Depicting the simple exchange of goods for money.
📝 In Action
Mi tío vende autos usados en el mercado.
A1My uncle sells used cars at the market.
¿A qué precio vendieron la casa finalmente?
A2At what price did they finally sell the house?
Estamos vendiendo los productos a mitad de precio para liquidar el inventario.
B1We are selling the products at half price to clear the inventory.
💡 Grammar Points
Regular -ER Verb
Since 'vender' is a regular -ER verb, you can use its endings as a template for hundreds of other verbs like 'comer' (to eat) and 'aprender' (to learn).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'vender' and 'venderse'
Mistake: "Using 'Me vendo un libro' (I sell myself a book)."
Correction: Use 'Vendo un libro' (I sell a book). The reflexive form 'venderse' usually means 'to sell out' or 'to betray oneself'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Directness in Business
Unlike English, which might use 'I am selling,' Spanish often uses the simple present tense for current commercial activity: 'Vendo camisetas' (I sell t-shirts).
Vender (to betray): Illustrating the act of secretly revealing a hidden truth or secret.
vender(verb)
to betray
?to reveal secrets
,to sell out
?to compromise principles (often reflexive: venderse)
to make a fool of
?Vender a alguien: to trick someone
📝 In Action
Se vendió a la empresa por un ascenso y mucho dinero.
C1He sold out to the company for a promotion and a lot of money.
No puedes vender a tus amigos revelando sus secretos.
B2You can't betray your friends by revealing their secrets.
Los críticos dicen que el artista se ha vendido al mercado comercial.
C1Critics say the artist has sold out to the commercial market.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Meaning (Venderse)
When you add the little word 'se' (venderse), the meaning shifts from a transaction to a moral compromise—the person is selling their own integrity or loyalty.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use Context
This meaning is almost always used when discussing ethics, politics, or art. If someone is being accused of 'selling out,' use 'venderse' with the reflexive pronoun (me vendo, te vendes, se vende, etc.).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vender
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the figurative, negative meaning of 'vender'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vender' conjugated like 'ir' or 'estar'?
'Vender' is a regular -ER verb, which makes its conjugation very predictable and easy! It does not follow the special, irregular patterns of verbs like 'ir' (to go) or 'estar' (to be).
What is the most important noun related to 'vender'?
The most important related noun is 'la venta,' which means 'the sale.' You will hear this word constantly in Spanish, from 'punto de venta' (point of sale) to 'oferta de venta' (sale offer).