Inklingo

How to Say "offers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ofrece

oh-FREH-seh/oˈfɾe.θe/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1General
Use 'ofrece' when someone is presenting or providing a gift, service, opportunity, or help.
A close-up of a child offering a colorful wrapped gift with both hands.

Examples

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).

presta

/press-tah//ˈpɾesta/

VerbB1General
Use 'presta' specifically when the offer is about lending something or providing attention or help.
A colorful illustration of a child paying close attention, intently listening to a small bird chirping on a branch nearby.

Examples

El estudiante nunca presta atención en clase.

The student never pays attention in class.

Presta más atención a lo que te digo.

Pay more attention to what I tell you. (Informal command)

La Cruz Roja presta servicios esenciales a la comunidad.

The Red Cross provides essential services to the community.

Fixed Phrase

When talking about attention, 'prestar' is almost always used with the noun 'atención' (attention) to mean 'to pay attention.'

Confusing 'prestar' and 'pagar'

Mistake: “Saying 'pagar atención' (to pay attention) like in English.”

Correction: In Spanish, we 'lend' attention: 'prestar atención.' You only 'pay' ('pagar') money.

Ofrece vs. Presta

Learners often confuse 'ofrece' and 'presta' when the English word is 'offers help'. Remember that 'ofrece' is a general offer, while 'presta' is more specific to lending or giving attention. For instance, you 'ofrece' a job, but you 'presta' attention.

Related Translations

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