Inklingo

How to Say "clearance sale" in Spanish

English → Spanish

liquidación

/lee-kee-dah-SYOHN//likidaˈsjon/

nounA2retail and shopping
Use 'liquidación' for a general clearance sale in a retail store where prices are significantly reduced to sell off old or excess stock.
A colorful clothing rack with a bright red discount tag hanging from it in a shop.

Examples

Hay una gran liquidación en la tienda de zapatos.

There is a big clearance sale at the shoe store.

Compré este abrigo en la liquidación por cierre.

I bought this coat at the closing-down sale.

¡Aprovecha los precios de liquidación antes de que se agoten!

Take advantage of the clearance prices before they run out!

Always Feminine

This word is feminine, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it (la liquidación).

The 'on' preposition

When saying something is 'on sale' in this context, use 'en liquidación'.

Sale vs. Clearance

Mistake:Using 'liquidación' for a normal 10% discount.

Correction: Use 'rebajas' for general sales and 'liquidación' for drastic price cuts when they want to empty the store.

remate

/reh-MAH-teh//reˈmate/

nounB2retail
Use 'remate' when referring to an auction or a final sale, often for items like furniture or property, where goods are sold to the highest bidder or at a final, deeply discounted price.
A store window with a large red banner and many cardboard boxes on the floor.

Examples

Compré estos muebles en un remate.

I bought this furniture at an auction.

Hay un remate total por cierre de temporada.

There is a total clearance sale for the end of the season.

Anunciaron el remate de la casa por deudas.

They announced the auction of the house due to debts.

Prepositions with sales

Use 'en' to say 'at a sale' (en un remate) and 'de' to describe the prices (precios de remate).

Regional Confusion

Mistake:Using 'remate' for a sale in Spain.

Correction: In Spain, 'rebajas' is more common for sales. 'Remate' for sales/auctions is very common in countries like Chile, Argentina, and Mexico.

General Sale vs. Auction/Final Price

The most common mistake is using 'remate' for any sale. Remember that 'liquidación' is for general store-wide clearance, while 'remate' implies a final, often auction-style, selling off of goods.

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