to auction
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to auction
To offer something publicly for sale as part of an auction, where the person who makes the highest bid wins the item.
Das berühmte Gemälde wurde für über zehn Millionen Euro versteigert.
The famous painting was auctioned for over ten million euros.
'Versteigern' (to auction) is an inseparable verb. It is derived from 'steigern' (to increase), since bids are increased during an auction. The prefix 'ver-' signals a process that leads to a result, similar to 'verkaufen' (to sell).
Der Auktionator versucht, den Preis weiter zu steigern, bevor er das Bild versteigert.
The auctioneer tries to raise the price further before auctioning the painting.
This verb is very often used in the passive to emphasize what is being auctioned, rather than who is conducting the auction. The typical form is 'etwas wird/wurde versteigert' (something is/was auctioned).
Das alte Haus meiner Großeltern wird nächste Woche versteigert.
My grandparents' old house will be auctioned next week.
To state the price, you use the preposition 'für' (for): 'für 100 Euro versteigern' (to auction for 100 euros). To name the buyer, you use 'an' (to): 'an den Höchstbietenden versteigern' (to auction to the highest bidder).
Das Auto wurde für einen überraschend hohen Preis versteigert.
The car was auctioned for a surprisingly high price.
to sell
'verkaufen' and 'versteigern' both mean that someone gives something away in exchange for money. The difference is in the type of sale. 'verkaufen' is general and fits almost any normal buying situation, for example in a store or privately. 'versteigern' is used only for an auction: several people bid money, and the person with the highest bid gets the item. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases a sale happens in the end. Strictly speaking, 'versteigern' is only accurate when there are bids and an item is awarded to the highest bidder.
Das Museum versteigert heute ein seltenes Bild.
The museum is auctioning a rare painting today.
Vor dem Umzug verkauft Paul seinen alten Schreibtisch.
Before the move, Paul sells his old desk.