Rebajas

[ratóncolorao]

Could someone tell me if there exits any word, expression, etc to make a special reference to that period of the year when customers may buy goods -specially clothes- much cheaper than during the rest of the time? Are there also goods "on sale" ?, meaning by that they got reduced prices.
Here in Spain we have twice a year that kind of opportunity.

Thank you for your help.

[mmasny]

I would use one of these: sale season, end of the season, end-of-season sales, after-season sales, post-season sales.

[BobK]

If you're looking for a closer equivalent, the word 'reduction' is sometimes used in this context: 'There are some great reductions in our end-of-season sale'. But often, shops prefer more graphic language: ALL PRICES SLASHED.

b

[mmasny]

By the way, it should be especially clothes I think. Am I right?

[Linguist__]

By the way, it should be especially clothes I think. Am I right?

(Not a teacher)

I think specially and especially are completely interchangeable. I think the confusion arises from people using 'special' more than 'especial', but 'especially' more than 'specially'. As such, 'specially' has come to be used as meaning 'specifically', but this is somewhat idiomatic.

[mara_ce]

By the way, it should be especially clothes I think. Am I right?

Yes, I agree with you.
Specially and especially seem similar but have a different meaning and are easily confused.
e.g.
This book was specially written for foreign students. (for a particular reason)
I love Paris, especially in the Spring. (above all)

[BobK]

By the way, it should be especially clothes I think. Am I right?

Well spotted

This is possibly related to ratóncolorado's accent. When I was in Spain (España) selling - among other things - a magazine called Motor Sport (an English title) I had to learn to give it 4 syllables. I haven't heard him/her, but it's quite likely that 'specially' and 'especially' sound the same.

That's one explanation. Another is that with the influence of hispanic pronunciation in certain parts of the US, the difference between the two words has been eroded (spreading to the UK by way of TV/film/Internet - 'the usual suspects'.

b

[mmasny]

Especially or Specially?
That's what they say: "Most of the time there is little or no difference between the words especially and specially. " So I think Linguist is right.

[mara_ce]

I have consulted this:

specially - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online

[Linguist__]

I have consulted this:

specially - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online

(Not a teacher)

I thought that 'specially' used as 'specifically', which it is in those examples, was an idiomatic use. 'Specially' is the adverb of 'special'. 'Especially' is the adverb of 'especial'. To me there is no difference between 'special' and 'especial' except that 'especial' is rarely used.

If I had to discern a meaning, I would say 'especial' and 'especially' are more emphatic.