Translation guide
The English verb 'sell' covers exchanging something for money, persuading someone of an idea, and being sold in a market. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether you are the seller, the item is being sold, or you are convincing someone.
You give something to someone in exchange for money.
The most common verb for 'sell'. Used when the subject is the seller.
He sold his car.
この店では何を売っていますか。
What do you sell at this store?
A more formal term for 'sell', often used in business contexts.
当社は海外で製品を販売しています。
Our company sells products overseas.
Used for selling off assets like property or stocks, often implying a large or formal transaction.
彼は土地を売却した。
He sold off the land.
An item is available for purchase or is bought by customers.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be sold' or 'to sell well'. Focuses on the item's ability to sell.
この本はよく売れている。
This book is selling well.
新製品はすぐに売れた。
The new product sold out quickly.
Passive form of 売る, meaning 'is being sold'. Used when the seller is unknown or unimportant.
この店では手作りの品が売られている。
Handmade goods are sold at this store.
Passive of 販売する, formal way to say 'is being sold'.
この薬は薬局で販売されています。
This medicine is sold at pharmacies.
You convince someone that an idea or plan is good.
Literally 'make someone understand/accept'. Used when you persuade someone logically.
彼にその計画を納得させるのは難しかった。
It was hard to sell him on the plan.
General verb for 'persuade'. Can be used in many contexts.
彼女を説得して一緒に行ってもらった。
I sold her on the idea of coming with us.
Literally 'sell in', used for aggressively promoting an idea or oneself.
You betray someone or something for personal gain.
Same verb as 'sell', but used metaphorically. Often in set phrases like 仲間を売る (betray a friend).
彼は金のために仲間を売った。
He sold out his friends for money.
General verb for 'betray'. Not specifically tied to money, but covers the meaning.
売る is transitive (someone sells something). 売れる is intransitive (something is sold/sells). Use 売る when you are the seller, and 売れる when describing how well an item sells.
私は本を売った。
I sold a book.
その本はよく売れた。
That book sold well.
English uses 'sell' both actively and passively (e.g., 'This sells well'). In Japanese, you must use the intransitive 売れる for the passive sense. Saying この本は売る is incorrect; it means 'I sell this book'.
自分のアイデアを上司に売り込んだ。
I sold my idea to the boss.
彼は国を裏切った。
He sold out his country.