Inklingo

How to Say "to sell" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vender

ben-derbenˈdeɾ

verbA1general
Use this word for the general act of exchanging goods or services for money.
A cartoon vendor exchanging a bright red apple for a small pile of gold coins held by a customer.

Examples

Mi tío vende autos usados en el mercado.

My uncle sells used cars at the market.

¿A qué precio vendieron la casa finalmente?

At what price did they finally sell the house?

Estamos vendiendo los productos a mitad de precio para liquidar el inventario.

We are selling the products at half price to clear the inventory.

Regular -ER Verb

Since 'vender' is a regular -ER verb, you can use its endings as a template for hundreds of other verbs like 'comer' (to eat) and 'aprender' (to learn).

Mixing up 'vender' and 'venderse'

Mistake: “Using 'Me vendo un libro' (I sell myself a book).”

Correction: Use 'Vendo un libro' (I sell a book). The reflexive form 'venderse' usually means 'to sell out' or 'to betray oneself'.

despachar

des-pah-CHARdespaˈt͡ʃaɾ

verbB1specific
Use this word when referring to serving a customer and handing over goods, typically in a shop or counter setting.
A shopkeeper handing a brown paper bag to a customer across a wooden counter.

Examples

La dependienta está despachando al último cliente.

The shop assistant is serving the last customer.

Necesitamos despachar estos paquetes antes de las cinco.

We need to dispatch these packages before five o'clock.

En esta farmacia despachan medicamentos con receta.

In this pharmacy, they sell/dispense prescription medications.

When to use Despachar vs. Atender

Use 'despachar' specifically when someone is fulfilling a request or selling something across a counter. Use 'atender' for general customer service or help.

Don't confuse with 'office'

Mistake: “Voy al despachar.”

Correction: Voy al despacho. (Despacho is the noun for office; despachar is the action of working or serving.)

comercializar

ko-mer-syah-lee-sarkomerθjaliˈθar

verbB1business/formal
Use this word when talking about bringing a product to market, trading it, or putting it into circulation, often on a larger scale.
A friendly vendor setting up a colorful fruit stand with neatly stacked crates of apples and oranges.

Examples

La empresa quiere comercializar su nuevo software el próximo año.

The company wants to market its new software next year.

Es ilegal comercializar especies en peligro de extinción.

It is illegal to trade endangered species.

Han decidido comercializar la artesanía local en internet.

They have decided to sell local crafts on the internet.

The Z to C Spelling Swap

In Spanish, the letter 'z' usually changes to 'c' when it's followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past tense (comercialicé) and all forms of the special 'wish' verb form (subjunctive).

Using an Object

This verb needs something to act on. You don't just 'comercializar' alone; you always comercializar something, like a product or a service.

It's Not Just Ads

Mistake: “Using comercializar to mean 'making a commercial/advertisement'.”

Correction: Use 'hacer un anuncio' for making an ad. Comercializar refers to the whole business process of selling and distributing.

Vender vs. Despachar

Learners often confuse 'vender' and 'despachar'. Remember that 'vender' is the general term for selling, while 'despachar' specifically means to serve a customer and hand over items at a counter or point of sale.

Related Translations

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