ofrecer
/ofɾeˈθeɾ/
To bid in Spanish is to ofrecer. Wiktionary also lists ofertar and pujar.
Meaning: transitive: to offer as a price (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ofrecer | /ofɾeˈθeɾ/ /ofɾeˈseɾ/ |
| ofertar | /ofeɾˈtaɾ/ |
| pujar | /puˈxaɾ/ |
The verb ofrecer is used to mean to offer a price. If you are referring to the actual bid made during an auction or a competition, the noun puja is used. For the formal process of bidding or a public tender, use the noun licitación.
Which one should you use?
While ofrecer is used to offer something generally, pujar is the specific verb for bidding in an auction or a competitive price contest. Ofertar is more technical and formal than ofrecer, commonly used in business contexts to describe making a formal bid or proposal.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ofɾeˈθeɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, pujar can also mean to strain or push during childbirth.
- The verb pujar shares a root with the English word 'push'. While 'push' refers to physical force, pujar describes the act of pushing a price higher during an auction.
- The word oferta is used for both a 'bid' in a tender and a 'sale' or 'discount' in a retail store.
Examples in context
- Realizaremos una puja más alta por ese artículo.We will place a higher bid on that item.
- Presentamos nuestra mejor oferta para este proyecto.We are submitting our best bid for this project.
- ¡Hice una apuesta bastante alta en esa subasta!I made a pretty high bid in that auction!
- Voy a hacer un lance por ese cuadro.I'm going to place a bid on that painting.
- Presentaré mi oferta en esta subasta.I will submit my bid in this auction.
- Quiero ofrecer diez euros por ese libro.I want to offer ten euros for that book.
- Ella decidió ofrecer un precio más alto.She decided to offer a higher price.
- ¿Podemos ofrecer menos por el cuadro?Can we offer less for the painting?
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at an item at an auction.
- AlejandroDebemos ofrecer un buen precio por esto.We must offer a good price for this.
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, pero no podemos pasarnos del presupuesto.Yes, Alejandro, but we cannot go over the budget.
- AlejandroEntiendo, ¿qué cantidad quieres ofrecer tú?I understand, how much do you want to offer?
- MaríaYo prefiero ofrecer cincuenta euros.I prefer to offer fifty euros.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bid” translations and entries ofrecer, ofertar, pujar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ofertar, ofrecer, pujar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
