Inklingo

How to Say "selling" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vendiendo

ben-DYEN-doh/benˈdjen.do/

VerbA1General
Use 'vendiendo' when referring to the ongoing action of selling something right now, often translated as 'selling' in the present progressive tense.
A close-up view of two hands engaged in a transaction. A vendor's hand holds a single red apple, while a customer's hand places a gold coin into the vendor's palm, illustrating the continuous act of selling.

Examples

Mi hermano está vendiendo su vieja bicicleta.

My brother is selling his old bicycle.

Estuvimos vendiendo limonada toda la tarde para recaudar fondos.

We were selling lemonade all afternoon to raise funds.

La empresa sigue vendiendo mucho a pesar de la crisis.

The company continues selling a lot despite the crisis.

The Continuous Action Form

"Vendiendo" is the gerund, which is the form used to show an action is ongoing. For '-er' and '-ir' verbs, you change the ending to '-iendo'.

Forming the Present Progressive

To say 'I am selling,' you must combine the verb 'estar' (to be, for temporary states) with 'vendiendo': 'Estoy vendiendo.'

Using the wrong 'to be' verb

Mistake: “Soy vendiendo.”

Correction: Estoy vendiendo. Use 'estar' (which means 'to be' in a temporary state) for all continuous actions.

Using the infinitive

Mistake: “Ella está vender el coche.”

Correction: Ella está vendiendo el coche. Remember to always use the '-ndo' form after 'estar'.

venta

BEHN-tah/ˈben.ta/

NounA1General
Use 'venta' to talk about the act or activity of selling, the transaction itself, or a 'sale' (e.g., a price reduction).
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.)

vendedor

ven-deh-DOR/ben.deˈðoɾ/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'vendedor' as an adjective to describe something as 'marketable' or having qualities that make it easy to sell.
A close-up image showing one hand gently offering a small, wrapped gift box to another hand, symbolizing the action of selling.

Examples

El título es la parte más vendedora del libro.

The title is the most selling part of the book (the most marketable part).

Su sonrisa es su arma vendedora.

His smile is his selling weapon/asset.

Adjective Agreement

When used as an adjective, 'vendedor' must match the thing it describes in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). For example, 'una cualidad vendedora' (feminine).

Verb vs. Noun for 'Selling'

Learners often confuse 'vendiendo' (the action) with 'venta' (the act/noun). Remember, 'vendiendo' is the gerund form of the verb 'to sell' and describes the process, while 'venta' refers to the completed event or the concept of a sale.

Related Translations

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