en oferta
/en ofeɾta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "on sale" is translated into Spanish as en oferta.
en oferta is used to describe items that are available to buy at a lower price than usual. If you want to talk about a specific discount, you can use the word descuento. If you are referring to a clearance sale, the word is liquidación.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between a discounted price and an item being available for purchase. Use en oferta specifically for discounted items. Do not use it to mean that an item is simply available for sale, which would be a la venta.
How does it change in a sentence?
A common synonym for en oferta is en rebaja, which is often used to describe items with reduced prices during seasonal sales. When describing a specific item that is currently discounted, use the verb estar (it is on sale) rather than ser.
How do you pronounce it?
/en ofeɾta/
Did you know?
- While en oferta refers to a price drop, the word oferta can also mean a 'job offer' or a 'proposal', which is why context is vital to avoid confusing a bargain with a career opportunity.
- The word oferta actually entered the Spanish language through Catalan, a language spoken in parts of Spain, rather than through Latin directly.
- If you see the word liquidación on a storefront, it often implies the shop is closing down permanently to get rid of all remaining stock.
Examples in context
- ¿Esto está en oferta?Is this on sale?This sentence is useful for asking if an item is en oferta.Tatoeba #9820577 by hayastan, translation #9823461 by DJ_Saidez
- Ya que el precio del jugo de naranja es siempre más alto que el del jugo de manzana, me fijo en ese precio y siempre aprovecho la ocasión para abastecerme de una buena reserva de jugo de naranja en ofertas especiales.Now that the price of orange juice is always higher than apple juice, I track that price and I always take advantage of the opportunity to stock up on a reserve of orange juice when it is on sale.This sentence shows how to use en oferta when talking about stocking up on items during special sales.Tatoeba #1711194 by marcelostockle, translation #10839542 by ella695
- ¿Tienen estos zapatos en oferta?Do you have these shoes on sale?
- ¡Mira estos jeans! Los compré en rebajaLook at these jeans! I bought them on sale
- ¿Tiene este televisor en oferta?Do you have this television on sale?
- Estos productos están en oferta por tiempo limitadoThese products are on sale for a limited time
- Me encanta este vestido y lo encontré en rebajasI love this dress and I found it on sale
- Vamos de compras. Hay muchas cosas en rebajaLet's go shopping. There are many things on sale
- Estos zapatos están en oferta.These shoes are on sale.
Example conversation
Javier and María are shopping at a clothing store.
- JavierMira este vestido, está en oferta.Look at this dress, it's on sale.
- MaríaTienes razón, es muy barato ahora.You're right, it's very cheap now.
- Javier¿Crees que te quedaría bien, María?Do you think it would fit you well, María?
- MaríaSí, voy a probármelo.Yes, I'm going to try it on.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, oferta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
