oferta, ofrecimiento

Question

All, what is the difference between the two words? I hear ofrecimiento all the time and I believe it sounds, and is a bit pretentious. I have looked in my old Larousse dictionary and both meanings indicate they mean offer in English. Can someone please explain?

Thanks,
Oralia

Answer 1

One refers to the actual promise itself (oferta) and one refers to the act of making the promise (ofrecimiento)

Oferta

Promesa que se hace de dar, cumplir o ejecutar algo.

The promise that is made to do/complete/execute something.

Ofrecimiento

Acción y efecto de ofrecer u ofrecerse.

The action and effect of offering or voluntering

Hope this helps

Very good answer - nila45, AGO 30, 2009

Answer 2

hmmm, I've always thought of ofrecimiento as 'offering'. But, as you said, I've found that most dictionaries say 'offer' for both.

Wiktionary does agree with me somewhat: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ofrecimiento.