Inklingo

How to Say "sale" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sale” is “venta” — use 'venta' when referring to the general act or transaction of selling something, not typically a promotional event.

venta🔊A1

Use 'venta' when referring to the general act or transaction of selling something, not typically a promotional event.

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rebaja🔊A1

Use 'rebaja' to refer to a reduction in price, often indicating a specific discount percentage or a shopping period characterized by price reductions.

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descuento🔊A1

Use 'descuento' when talking about a specific discount, often a percentage off, or when inquiring about a price reduction.

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oferta🔊A2

Use 'oferta' to describe a product that is currently being sold at a reduced price, often for a limited time, like a special deal.

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promociónA2

Use 'promoción' for marketing events that offer discounts, special deals like 'buy one get one free', or bundled offers.

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barata🔊B1

Use 'barata' to refer to a clearance event or a bargain, implying items are being sold off cheaply.

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saldo🔊B1

Use 'saldo' to refer to clearance sales or discounted goods, often associated with seasonal clearance events like end-of-season sales.

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English → Spanish

venta

BEHN-tahˈben.ta

nounA1general
Use 'venta' when referring to the general act or transaction of selling something, not typically a promotional event.
Two hands exchanging items: one hand is giving a gold coin while the other hand is accepting a small, wrapped package, symbolizing a single transaction.

Examples

La venta de mi coche fue muy rápida.

The sale of my car was very quick.

Necesitamos aumentar la venta de productos orgánicos.

We need to increase the selling of organic products.

Esta tienda está prohibida la venta de alcohol a menores.

This store prohibits the sale of alcohol to minors.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'venta' ends in 'a', which often signals feminine, remember that it MUST always be used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'una venta', 'la venta').

Confusing 'Venta' and 'Tienda'

Mistake: “Voy a la venta para comprar pan. (I am going to the sale to buy bread.)”

Correction: Voy a la tienda para comprar pan. ('Venta' is the act of selling; 'tienda' is the place.)

rebaja

re-BA-hareˈβaxa

nounA1general
Use 'rebaja' to refer to a reduction in price, often indicating a specific discount percentage or a shopping period characterized by price reductions.
A colorful price tag with a smaller price tag next to it, showing a clear reduction.

Examples

He comprado estos zapatos con una rebaja del treinta por ciento.

I bought these shoes with a thirty percent discount.

Las rebajas de enero son las mejores para comprar abrigos.

The January sales are the best for buying coats.

El cliente siempre pide una rebaja antes de pagar.

The customer always asks for a discount before paying.

Singular vs. Plural

Use the singular 'rebaja' for a specific discount on one item, but use the plural 'rebajas' when talking about the big shopping events (like Black Friday or Summer sales).

Using it with Verbs

To say 'to give a discount,' use the verb 'hacer' (to make/do). For example: 'Me hicieron una rebaja' means 'They gave me a discount.'

Rebaja vs. Barato

Mistake: “La camisa es una rebaja.”

Correction: La camisa está rebajada o es barata.

descuento

des-KUEN-tohdesˈkwento

nounA1general
Use 'descuento' when talking about a specific discount, often a percentage off, or when inquiring about a price reduction.
A bright red apple resting on a small green pedestal, next to a large yellow downward-pointing arrow, symbolizing a price discount.

Examples

¿Hay algún descuento si pago en efectivo?

Is there a discount if I pay in cash?

Conseguimos un descuento del 20% en todos los zapatos.

We got a 20% discount on all the shoes.

¡Qué buen descuento! Voy a comprar dos.

What a great deal! I'm going to buy two.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'descuento' ends in 'o', it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it: 'el descuento'.

Using 'Descontar' as a Noun

Mistake: “Saying 'Necesito un descontar' (I need a to discount).”

Correction: The noun form is 'descuento' (discount). The verb is 'descontar' (to deduct/discount). Use 'Necesito un descuento'.

oferta

oh-FEHR-tahoˈfeɾta

nounA2general
Use 'oferta' to describe a product that is currently being sold at a reduced price, often for a limited time, like a special deal.
A red shopping bag with handles is placed next to a large, prominent, stylized white arrow pointing down, symbolizing a discounted price or sale.

Examples

¡Mira! Los zapatos están de oferta esta semana.

Look! The shoes are on sale this week.

Aprovecha la oferta de dos por uno en las camisetas.

Take advantage of the two-for-one deal on the shirts.

Compré el televisor porque estaba a mitad de precio, era una gran oferta.

I bought the television because it was half price; it was a great deal.

How to talk about sales

Use the structure 'estar de oferta' to say that an item is currently discounted. ('El pan está de oferta hoy.')

Confusing Offer and Sale

Mistake: “Quiero una oferta.”

Correction: Quiero un descuento. (If you are asking a salesperson for a better price, 'descuento' (discount) is often more direct than 'oferta' (a specific advertised sale).)

promoción

nounA2general
Use 'promoción' for marketing events that offer discounts, special deals like 'buy one get one free', or bundled offers.

Examples

Aproveché la promoción de dos por uno en el supermercado.

I took advantage of the two-for-one special offer at the supermarket.

barata

bah-RAH-tahbaˈɾata

nounB1informal
Use 'barata' to refer to a clearance event or a bargain, implying items are being sold off cheaply.
A large stack of colorful, neatly folded clothes with a big red arrow pointing down beside them, symbolizing a major sale event.

Examples

Compré estos zapatos de barata.

I bought these shoes on sale/at a bargain.

Vamos a la tienda, creo que hay barata hoy.

Let's go to the store, I think there is a sale today.

Fixed Phrase Usage

When used as a noun meaning 'sale' or 'bargain,' it often appears with the preposition 'de' (de barata) to mean 'on sale' or 'at a bargain price'.

saldo

SAHL-dohˈsal.do

nounB1general
Use 'saldo' to refer to clearance sales or discounted goods, often associated with seasonal clearance events like end-of-season sales.
A bright red price tag attached to a simple brown cardboard box.

Examples

Compré estos zapatos en los saldos de enero.

I bought these shoes in the January clearance sales.

Es un artículo de saldo, por eso es tan barato.

It's a clearance item, that's why it's so cheap.

Plural Usage

When talking about 'the sales' (the event), we often use the plural 'los saldos'.

Sale Events vs. General Selling

The most common mistake is using 'venta' for a shopping sale. Remember, 'venta' means the act of selling. For actual sales events or discounts, use words like 'oferta', 'rebaja', 'descuento', or 'promoción'.

Related Translations

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