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licitar means to bid — a common term in Spanish for Business. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 14, 2025

💼 Spanish for Business

licitar

verb • /[lee-see-TAR]/

to bid

Example:

Vamos a licitar en el nuevo proyecto.

We will bid on the new project.

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🧠 What does licitar mean?

Licitar means 'to bid' or 'to put in a bid,' particularly in a formal context like a business deal or auction. It refers to the act of making an offer, usually competing with others, to obtain something like a contract, project, or item being sold.

📚 Extra examples

  • Varias empresas van a licitar por el contrato de construcción.
    Several companies are going to bid for the construction contract.
  • El gobierno está licitando la construcción de una nueva autopista.
    The government is putting the construction of a new highway out to bid.
  • Licitaron un precio muy competitivo.
    They bid a very competitive price.
  • Decidieron no licitar porque el proyecto era demasiado arriesgado.
    They decided not to bid because the project was too risky.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to bid' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to bid' in a business context is 'licitar.'
How do you pronounce 'licitar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced lee-see-TAHR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'licitar' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'El ayuntamiento va a licitar la construcción del nuevo parque' (The city council is going to put the construction of the new park out to bid), or 'Las empresas interesadas deben licitar antes del viernes' (Interested companies must submit their bids before Friday).
What is the English translation of 'licitar'?
The English translation of 'licitar' is 'to bid.'
Does 'licitar' change for gender or number?
No, 'licitar' is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugation changes for person and tense, but not for gender or number.
Is 'licitar' common in everyday Spanish?
While understood by most Spanish speakers, 'licitar' is more common in business and formal settings than in everyday conversations. You're more likely to hear it on the news or in a business meeting than at the dinner table.
Does 'licitar' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'licitar' doesn't have any slang or double meanings. Its meaning is pretty straightforward.
Is 'licitar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'licitar' are generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'licitar' in Spanish?
Here are the present tense conjugations: yo licito, tú licitas, él/ella/usted licita, nosotros/as licitamos, vosotros/as licitáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes licitan.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "licitar"

Synonyms: pujar, ofertar, postularse

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'licitar' comes from the Latin word 'licitari,' which means 'to offer a price.'

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