vender
/benˈdeɾ/
To sell in Spanish is vender.
vender is the most common and neutral way to express the action of giving something to someone in exchange for money.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb vender changes according to the tense and person you need. The first-person singular preterite is vendí (I sold), the third-person singular future is venderá (he/she/it will sell) and the gerund is vendiendo (selling). The past participle is vendido (sold).
How do you pronounce it?
/benˈdeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the verb with the noun venta (sale). English speakers often mistakenly use venta when they actually intend to use the verb vender.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase vender el pellejo literally means 'to sell the hide' and is used to say someone will fight until the very end.
- The phrase vender humo literally means 'to sell smoke' and describes someone who makes grand promises that they cannot fulfill.
- The word vender comes from the Latin phrase vēnum dō, which literally means 'I give for sale'.
Examples in context
- Esta empresa se dedica a vender productos de alta calidad.This company is dedicated to selling high-quality products.
- Quiero vender mi coche.I want to sell my car.
- Quiero vender mi coche viejo.I want to sell my old car.
- Ella quiere vender su casa este verano.She wants to sell her house this summer.
- Él va a vender libros usados.He is going to sell used books.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about their weekend plans.
- Alejandro¿Vas a vender tu bicicleta?Are you going to sell your bicycle?
- LucíaSí, necesito venderla para comprar una nueva.Yes, I need to sell it to buy a new one.
- AlejandroPuedo ayudarte a venderla rápido.I can help you sell it quickly.
- Lucía¡Gracias, Alejandro! Eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro! You are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vender, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vender, CC BY-SA 4.0.
