liquidation
/li.ki.da.sjɔ̃/
In French, the English word 'sale' (referring to the sale of goods at reduced prices) can be translated as liquidation or promotion.
Meaning: sale of goods at reduced prices (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| liquidation | /li.ki.da.sjɔ̃/ | |
| promotion | /pʁɔ.mɔ.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
Use liquidation when a business is closing down and selling off all stock. Use promotion for temporary price reductions or special offers on specific items, rather than a store-wide closing sale. While 'liquidation' and 'promotion' refer to specific types of sales, the word soldes is the standard term for the official, seasonal sales periods (e.g., summer/winter sales) regulated by the government.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say an item is 'on sale' (at a discounted price), use the prepositional phrase en promotion.
How do you pronounce it?
/li.ki.da.sjɔ̃/ (4 syllables)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use vente to mean a discount sale, but vente simply means the act of selling a product. It does not imply a price reduction.
Did you know?
- The word promotion in French can also mean a 'school class' or a 'cohort' of students graduating together, rather than just a price reduction.
- In France, the dates for the official soldes are strictly regulated by the government to protect businesses from unfair competition.
- A braderie is a traditional type of sale where vendors sell old clothes and household items on the street, most famously in Lille.
Examples in context
- Ils ont une liquidation.They're having a going-out-of-business sale.This sentence uses liquidation to describe a going-out-of-business sale.Tatoeba #858945 by sacredceltic, translation #853230 by darinmex
- Ils organisent une vente en liquidation.They're holding a liquidation sale.Tatoeba #8483211 by Aiji, translation #5279180 by AlanF_US
- Les manteaux de fourrure sont en promotion.Fur coats are on sale.This sentence uses promotion to show that items are on sale.Tatoeba #135400 by pierrephi, translation #323540 by CK
- Nous avons une promotion spéciale cette semaine.We have a special sale this week.
- Profitez de cette réduction exceptionnelle.Take advantage of this exceptional discount.
- Les soldes d'été commencent demain.The summer sales start tomorrow.
- Les soldes sont fous cette année !The sales are crazy this year!
- Il y a un rabais de 50% sur tous les articles.There is a 50% discount on all items.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are walking past a clothing store.
- ManonRegarde, il y a une liquidation ici !Look, there is a clearance sale here!
- GabrielC'est super, entrons voir les prix.That's great, let's go in and see the prices.
- ManonJe cherche une robe pour l'été.I am looking for a summer dress.
- GabrielLa liquidation est parfaite pour ça.The clearance sale is perfect for that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sale” translations and entries liquidation, promotion, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
