Translation guide
The English word 'bid' has several distinct meanings: offering a price at an auction, making an attempt to achieve something, stating a number of tricks in card games, and issuing a command or invitation. This guide covers the most useful meanings for learners.
To offer a specific amount of money for something, especially at an auction or in a business tender.
The standard verb for bidding in auctions or submitting a tender. It implies a formal process.
彼はその絵に100万円を入札した。
He bid 1 million yen on the painting.
To bid against others, emphasizing the competitive aspect. Often used in auction contexts.
彼らは骨董品を競り合った。
They bid against each other for the antique.
Literally 'to attach a price'. Used when offering a price, not limited to auctions. Can be used in negotiations.
その車にいくら値をつけますか？
How much will you bid on that car?
To try to obtain or achieve something, often in competition with others. Common in phrases like 'bid for power' or 'bid to win'.
To aim for, to target. Used when making a bid for something like a position, victory, or record.
彼は大統領の座を狙っている。
He is making a bid for the presidency.
A noun meaning 'attempt' or 'try'. Often used in 'bid to do something' as '～しようとする試み'.
A phrase meaning 'to strive aiming for ~'. Useful for expressing a determined bid.
彼女は金メダルを目指して努力している。
She is making a bid for the gold medal.
To state the number of tricks one expects to win in a card game like bridge.
Direct loanword from English, used in contract bridge and similar games.
彼はスペードをビッドした。
He bid spades.
Means 'to declare'. In some card game contexts, it can be used for bidding, but 'ビッドする' is more specific.
彼はノートランプを宣言した。
He bid no trump.
To command or invite someone to do something. This usage is old-fashioned and rarely used in modern English, but appears in historical contexts.
To command, order. Used for the archaic sense of 'bid someone do something'.
王は彼に立ち去るよう命じた。
The king bade him depart.
To invite. Can be used for 'bid someone to a feast' etc., but is not a direct translation of 'bid'.
The loanword ビッド is only used in the context of auctions or card games. For other meanings like 'attempt', use native Japanese expressions.
彼は大統領の座を狙っている。
He is making a bid for the presidency.
新記録を樹立しようとする試み
a bid to set a new record
He bade me to the banquet.