auction
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auction
A public event where things, such as art, real estate, or antiques, are sold to the person who makes the highest bid; an auction.
Das seltene Gemälde kam bei einer großen Versteigerung in London unter den Hammer.
The rare painting went under the hammer at a major auction in London.
'Die Versteigerung' (the auction) is a noun derived from the verb 'versteigern' (to auction off). The ending '-ung' turns the action of the verb into a noun that describes the event itself.
Die Versteigerung des Nachlasses findet nächsten Monat statt.
The auction of the estate will take place next month.
Common verbs used in connection with 'Versteigerung' (auction) are 'an einer Versteigerung teilnehmen' (to take part in an auction), 'etwas bei einer Versteigerung erwerben' (to acquire something at an auction), or 'etwas zur Versteigerung bringen' (to put something up for auction).
Er hat das Bild bei einer Versteigerung für einen hohen Preis erworben.
He acquired the painting at an auction for a high price.
A very common idiom is 'etwas kommt unter den Hammer' (something goes under the hammer). It means that something is being auctioned off.
Das Haus seiner Großeltern kommt nächste Woche unter den Hammer.
His grandparents' house is going under the hammer next week.
auction
Die Auktion and die Versteigerung both refer to a public sale in which the item is sold to the person who makes the highest bid. Auktion is the more common and often institutional term, while Versteigerung describes the process or event more vividly. In many everyday situations, either word is possible.
Bei der Versteigerung wurde das alte Gemälde an die meistbietende Person verkauft.
At the auction, the old painting was sold to the highest bidder.
Bei der Auktion wurde das alte Gemälde an die meistbietende Person verkauft.
At the auction, the old painting was sold to the highest bidder.
