What's on sale?
in Spanish¿Qué está en oferta?
/keh ehs-TAH ehn oh-FEHR-tah/
This is the most standard, widely understood way to ask if items have a reduced price. It works in almost any country and any type of store.
When you see a red tag or special sticker, use phrases like '¿Está en oferta?' to confirm the discount.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué tienen en oferta?
/keh TYEH-nehn ehn oh-FEHR-tah/
Slightly more conversational, asking 'What do you (plural/store) have on sale?' Great for speaking directly to a shop assistant.
¿Hay descuentos?
/eye dehs-KWEHN-tohs/
Literally 'Are there discounts?' This is very direct and useful if you don't see any sale signs.
¿Está en rebaja?
/ehs-TAH ehn reh-BAH-hah/
Uses the word 'rebaja' (price reduction). In Spain, 'Las Rebajas' refers specifically to the regulated sales seasons (Jan/July).
¿Tienen promociones?
/TYEH-nehn proh-moh-SYOH-nehs/
Asking about 'promotions' (like buy-one-get-one-free). Very common in malls and chain stores.
¿Es el precio final?
/ehs ehl PREH-syoh fee-NAHL/
Literally 'Is this the final price?' This is a subtle way to ask if the price is negotiable or if there is a hidden discount.
¿Está en liquidación?
/ehs-TAH ehn lee-kee-dah-SYOHN/
Asks if an item is on clearance or liquidation. Usually implies a very steep discount to get rid of stock.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
There are several words for 'sale' in Spanish, and choosing the right one depends on the context.
| Word | Literal Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oferta | Neutral | General sales, supermarket deals, special offers. | Talking about the seasonal sales event in Spain (use Rebajas). |
| Rebaja | Neutral | Price reductions, seasonal sales (especially Spain). | Asking for a small discount in a market (use Descuento). |
| Liquidación | Neutral | Clearance, going-out-of-business sales, end of season. | Asking about a new product. |
| Ganga | Informal | Describing a great bargain or a steal. | Talking formally to a shop assistant (it's slang). |
📈Difficulty Level
Most words (oferta, descuento) are phonetic and straightforward. The 'rr' in 'ahorrar' (to save) or 'j' in 'rebaja' might be the only hurdles.
The grammar is very simple; you are mostly asking simple questions using 'estar' or 'tener'.
Knowing when to bargain vs. when to just ask for a sale price varies by location (market vs. mall).
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between 'a la venta' (for sale) and 'en oferta' (on sale)
- Understanding rapid numbers when they tell you the price
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, ¿qué está en oferta esta semana?
Excuse me, what is on sale this week?
Me gustan estos zapatos. ¿Están en rebaja?
I like these shoes. Are they on sale (marked down)?
Lo siento, ese artículo no tiene descuento.
I'm sorry, that item doesn't have a discount.
Estoy buscando la sección de liquidación.
I am looking for the clearance section.
🌍Cultural Context
Las Rebajas in Spain
In Spain, sales are a cultural institution known as 'Las Rebajas.' They happen twice a year: winter (starting January 7th after Three Kings Day) and summer (starting around July 1st). It's not just a discount; it's a major shopping event where entire cities go shopping.
El Buen Fin in Mexico
Mexico has its own version of Black Friday called 'El Buen Fin' (The Good Weekend), which takes place in November before Revolution Day. If you are in Mexico during this time, you will see signs for 'ofertas' and 'promociones' everywhere.
To Bargain or Not to Bargain?
Asking for a discount is standard in open-air markets (*mercados*) or artisanal stalls—this is called *regatear*. However, asking for a lower price in a mall, supermarket, or chain store (like Zara) is generally not done, though you can certainly ask if there are existing sales (*ofertas*).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'On Sale' with 'For Sale'
Mistake: "Saying '¿Está a la venta?' when you mean 'Is it discounted?'"
Correction: ¿Está en oferta?
Using 'Venta' for Discount
Mistake: "Asking '¿Es una venta?'"
Correction: ¿Es una rebaja? / ¿Está en oferta?
Assuming 'Barato' always means 'Good Deal'
Mistake: "Asking for something 'barato' when you want high quality."
Correction: Económico / A buen precio
💡Pro Tips
Look for the Percent Sign
If you're too shy to speak, look for signs that say '%' or 'Menos 50%'. The magic word to look for on tags is 'Antes' (Before) and 'Ahora' (Now) to see the price drop.
The Magic Word: Descuento
If you can't remember 'oferta' or 'rebaja', just remember 'descuento' (discount). You can simply point at an item and ask, '¿Tiene descuento?' (Does it have a discount?). It's universally understood.
Clearance Racks
In clothing stores, look for a rack labeled 'Últimas tallas' (Last sizes) or 'Liquidación'. This is where you'll find the deepest discounts.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, 'Rebajas' is the dominant term for sales periods. You might also hear 'Chollo' to describe something that is incredibly cheap (a steal).
Mexico
Mexico uses 'promociones' heavily. You might also see '2x1' (dos por uno) advertised frequently. 'Remate' is often used for final clearance.
Argentina/Southern Cone
In Argentina, 'Liquidación' is very common for end-of-season sales. You might also hear people ask about 'cuotas' (installments) when buying clothes, which is a common way to pay there.
💬What Comes Next?
The clerk tells you there is a discount
Sí, tiene un veinte por ciento de descuento.
Yes, it has a 20% discount.
¡Excelente! Me lo llevo.
Excellent! I'll take it.
The item is not on sale
No, este es el precio regular.
No, this is the regular price.
¿Tiene algo más económico?
Do you have something more affordable?
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'Oferta' looks just like the English word 'Offer'. If a store is making you an 'offer,' it's a special deal or a sale.
Think of 'Rebaja' as 'Re-bajar' (to lower again). The price is going down (bajo).
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the 'On Sale' vs 'For Sale' distinction. English uses the word 'Sale' for both the event of selling and the discount. Spanish strictly separates them: 'Venta' (selling) vs 'Oferta/Rebaja' (discount).
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: This asks if the item is available to buy, not if it is cheap.
Use instead: ¿Se vende? / ¿Está a la venta?
Why it's different: Translating this as 'Gran Venta' sounds like a business transaction. A store event is a 'Gran Barata' (Mexico) or 'Grandes Rebajas'.
Use instead: Grandes Rebajas / Gran Liquidación
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'How much does it cost?'
Once you know it's on sale, you need to ask the specific price.
How to say 'I'll take it'
Use this to complete the purchase after finding a deal.
Numbers in Spanish
Essential for understanding the answer when you ask about prices.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What's on sale?
Question 1 of 3
You see a shirt you like, but you want to know if the price is reduced. What do you ask?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'Oferta' and 'Rebaja'?
'Oferta' is a general term for any offer or deal (e.g., 'Special Offer'). 'Rebaja' refers specifically to a reduction in price, often associated with end-of-season clearance events.
Can I say '¿Está en sale?' using Spanglish?
In some border areas or very touristy spots, they might understand you, but it is not correct Spanish. It's much better to use '¿Está en oferta?' to ensure you are understood clearly.
How do I ask 'Buy one, get one free' in Spanish?
This is usually called 'Dos por uno' (Two for one), often written as '2x1'. You might ask, '¿Es dos por uno?'
Does 'Liquidación' mean the store is closing?
Not necessarily. While it can mean a 'closing down sale' (Liquidación por cierre), it is often just used for 'Clearance' sections where they are getting rid of old stock to make room for new items.
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