hacer una oferta a la baja
/aθeɾ una ofeɾta a la baxa/from spelling rules
The English verb "lowball" can be translated into Spanish as hacer una oferta a la baja.
The phrase hacer una oferta a la baja is used in both formal negotiations and informal transactions to describe proposing a price significantly lower than the market value.
Meaning: to make an offer well below an item's true value (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hacer (to make), una oferta (an offer) and a la baja (downwards/on the decline).
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, lowballing is part of a social ritual called regateo, which is viewed as a friendly game of negotiation rather than an insult.
- The word hacer is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'factory', as both trace back to the idea of 'doing' or 'making'.
- While English uses the slang 'lowball', the Spanish phrase hacer una oferta a la baja sounds much more professional and is the standard way to describe a low offer in business contexts.
Examples in context
- Su cotización está por debajo del mercado, lo cual no podemos aceptarYour quote is below market value, which we cannot accept
- No te extrañes, él siempre regatea a la bajaDon't be surprised, he always lowballs
- Nos ofrecieron migajas por nuestro trabajo, así que rechazamos la propuestaThey lowballed us for our work, so we declined the offer
- No quiero hacer una oferta a la baja por tu coche.I don't want to lowball you for your car.
- Es insultante hacer una oferta a la baja tan extrema.It is insulting to make such an extreme lowball offer.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a house they want to buy.
- AlejandroEl vendedor no aceptará si intentamos hacer una oferta a la baja.The seller won't accept if we try to lowball him.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro, el precio es justo.You're right, Alejandro, the price is fair.
- Alejandro¿Deberíamos ofrecer un poco más?Should we offer a little more?
- LucíaSí, no quiero que nos rechacen de inmediato.Yes, I don't want them to reject us immediately.
