How to say "auction" in Japanese

• オークションCommon
  nounCovers auctions in the everyday sense, including online marketplaces where items are bid on. It is the loanword most people use when talking about participating in or browsing an auction.
  今いまでもその値段ねだんでならオークションで買かうというコレクターはいますよ。↗

  The prices are those collectors would expect to pay at auction now.
• 競売きょうばいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to auction in the formal, official sense of selling property or assets to the highest bidder, especially by court order. Choose this for legal or administrative contexts, not casual buying and selling.
  競売きょうばいでその絵画かいがを手てに入いれた。↗

  I obtained the painting at an auction.

Use 「オークション」 for auctions as everyday buying-and-selling events, especially online; use 競売 for formal, official auction sales such as court-ordered property sales.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• オークションauction
• 競売きょうばいauction
• オクauction (esp. an online auction)
• 競争売買きょうそうばいばいauction
• 競り売買せりばいばいauction
• 競売買きょうばいばいbuying and selling at auction
• 競りせりauction