pujar
verbCEFR B2
What does “pujar” mean in English?
to bid
to bid (at auction or in competitive tender — pujar por algo)
Example sentences
Tres empresas pujaron por el contrato de construcción del nuevo hospital regional.
Three companies bid for the construction contract for the new regional hospital.
El cuadro subastado fue adjudicado al postor que pujó a setecientos mil euros.
The auctioned painting was awarded to the bidder who bid seven hundred thousand euros.
Varios coleccionistas privados pujaron durante horas hasta que uno de ellos se llevó la obra.
Several private collectors bid for hours until one of them took the work.
How to use it
Pujar means 'to bid' in an auction or competitive tender context. The structure is pujar por algo (bid for something) or pujar a X euros (bid at X euros). In formal procurement and auction contexts, it is often replaced by licitar (to submit a formal tender) or hacer una oferta. Pujar can also mean 'to push/strain' in physical contexts (a woman in labour, a person lifting a heavy object), but this is less relevant at B2 than the auction sense. Key distinction: pujar (informal/auction bid) vs. licitar (formal public tender).
Common mistake
Pujar por (bid for) vs. licitar (tender for a contract): pujar is for open auction-style competition, licitar is for formal public procurement. The noun puja (bid/offer) and postor (bidder) are high-frequency in the same register. Don't confuse pujar with apostar (to bet/wager) — apostar is about gambling, pujar is about competitive commercial offers.