venta
Lemma Details
Translation: sale; selling; inn; roadside inn; tavern; outlet
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: From Latin vendita, feminine past participle of vendere ('to sell'). The meaning evolved from 'something sold' to 'the act of selling' and later to 'place where things are sold'. The secondary meaning of 'inn' or 'roadside tavern' developed in medieval Spain, where such establishments served travelers along trade routes. English words like 'vendor', 'vend', and 'vendition' share the same Latin root.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Las ventas aumentaron un veinte por ciento este mes.
Sales increased by twenty percent this month.
La casa está en venta desde hace tres meses.
The house has been for sale for three months.
Nos detuvimos a comer en una venta junto al camino.
We stopped to eat at a roadside inn.
El contrato de venta debe firmarse ante notario.
The sales contract must be signed before a notary.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'vendor' in English - someone who sells things, connecting to 'venta' (sale).
- For the 'inn' meaning, imagine a 'ventana' (window) at an inn where travelers would check in.
- Connect with 'event' in English - a sales event is where 'ventas' happen.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spain, 'ventas' historically referred to roadside inns that provided lodging, food, and rest for travelers. Many places in Spain still bear the name 'Venta' followed by a specific name. In modern Spanish-speaking countries, 'venta' primarily refers to commercial sales, and is a fundamental concept in business and economics vocabulary.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Venta' means 'sale' while 'renta' means 'income' or 'rent'. They look and sound similar but have different meanings in commercial contexts.
Confused word:
La renta mensual del apartamento es de 800 euros.
The monthly rent for the apartment is 800 euros.
Notes: Both terms are common in financial and real estate contexts but represent different types of transactions.
Mnemonic: 'Venta' has a 'V' for 'value exchange' (selling), while 'renta' has an 'R' for 'regular payment' (rent).
Explanation: 'Venta' refers to a sale, while 'cuenta' means 'account' or 'bill'. They have a similar sound pattern but different initial consonants and meanings.
Confused word:
Por favor, pide la cuenta cuando termines de comer.
Please ask for the bill when you finish eating.
Notes: Both words end with '-enta' but have completely different meanings in commercial contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Venta' starts with 'V' for 'vending' (selling), while 'cuenta' starts with 'C' for 'calculating' what you owe.