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How to Say "bids" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ofertas

oh-FEHR-tahsoˈfeɾtas

nounA1general
Use 'ofertas' when referring to the actual amounts offered, especially in a commercial or auction context, or generally as 'sales' or 'deals'.
A colorful storefront window with several bright red price tags hanging over various products.

Examples

Encontramos buenas ofertas en la tienda de electrónica.

We found good deals at the electronics store.

Hay muchas ofertas en el centro comercial hoy.

There are many sales at the mall today.

He recibido varias ofertas de trabajo.

I have received several job offers.

Aprovecha las ofertas antes de que terminen.

Take advantage of the deals before they end.

Always Feminine

Even when there are many, this word always uses feminine markers: say 'las ofertas' or 'unas ofertas'.

On sale vs. Sale

Mistake: “Using 'en venta' for a discount.”

Correction: Use 'en oferta' for a discounted price; 'en venta' just means the item is available for purchase.

ofrece

oh-FREH-sehoˈfɾe.θe

verb (conjugated form)A1general
Use 'ofrece' as the third-person singular present tense of 'ofrecer' (to offer), typically when someone or something is actively proposing or presenting something, like a job offer or a price.
A close-up of a child offering a colorful wrapped gift with both hands.

Examples

El gobierno ofrece ayuda a las familias afectadas.

The government offers aid to the affected families.

Mi jefe ofrece un aumento si terminamos el proyecto a tiempo.

My boss offers a raise if we finish the project on time.

Ella siempre ofrece su ayuda cuando lo necesito.

She always offers her help when I need it.

¿Qué ofrece usted a cambio de este servicio?

What do you offer in exchange for this service?

The 'c' to 'zc' Change

The base verb 'ofrecer' is mostly regular, but the 'yo' form in the present tense is irregular: 'Yo ofrezco' (I offer). This change is only for sound consistency.

Forgetting the 'zc' change

Mistake: “Yo ofreco”

Correction: Yo ofrezco. This change happens in many verbs ending in -cer or -cir, like 'conocer' (conozco) or 'traducir' (traduzco).

puja

poo-hahˈpuxa

verbB2auction/formal
Use 'puja' (from the verb 'pujar') specifically for the act of bidding, particularly in an auction setting where participants increase their offers.
A person in a crowd raising a small wooden paddle with a hand.

Examples

El coleccionista hizo una puja alta por la pintura rara.

The collector made a high bid for the rare painting.

Ella siempre puja fuerte en las subastas de arte.

She always bids high in art auctions.

El deportista puja por superar su propio récord.

The athlete strives to break his own record.

¡Puja con fuerza!

Push hard! (often used in medical contexts like childbirth)

Present Tense or Command?

The word 'puja' can mean 'he/she bids' but also acts as a command to a friend: 'Puja!' (Bid! or Push!).

Pujar vs. Empujar

Mistake: “Saying 'puja la puerta' to mean 'push the door'.”

Correction: Say 'empuja la puerta'. 'Pujar' is for internal effort or bidding money, not for moving objects.

Ofertas vs. Puja

Learners often confuse 'ofertas' and 'puja'. Remember that 'ofertas' usually refers to the offers themselves (plural noun, like sales/deals) or general offers, while 'puja' specifically denotes the action of bidding in an auction.

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