Translation guide
To sell something quickly, often to get rid of it, raise cash, or dispose of assets. In Japanese, the expression depends on whether you are selling inventory, assets, personal belongings, or liquidating a position.
To sell remaining goods, often at a discount, to clear them out.
Literally 'sell out completely'. Used when a store sells off all of a particular item or inventory.
在庫を全部売り切った。
We sold off all the inventory.
Emphasizes selling every last bit, often used for clearance sales.
閉店セールで商品を売り尽くした。
We sold off the merchandise at the closing sale.
To dispose of goods, often at a loss or to get rid of them. Used for unwanted inventory.
古い在庫を処分した。
We sold off the old stock.
To sell assets such as real estate, equipment, or a business unit, often to raise cash.
Formal term for selling off assets or property. Common in business and legal contexts.
会社は子会社を売却した。
The company sold off its subsidiary.
To let go of something you own, often with a sense of parting with it. Can be used for personal or business assets.
彼は株を全部手放した。
He sold off all his shares.
To convert into cash. Used when the focus is on raising money by selling assets.
資産を現金化して借金を返した。
We sold off assets to pay off the debt.
To sell your own possessions, often second-hand, to declutter or make money.
To sell off completely, often with a nuance of getting rid of things. Common for personal items.
引っ越し前に家具を全部売り払った。
I sold off all my furniture before moving.
To dispose of, often implying getting rid of things you no longer need. Can include selling or throwing away.
Can also mean simply throwing away, so context is needed to clarify selling.
使わない服を処分した。
I sold off clothes I don't wear.
Simple 'sell'. In context, can mean selling off, but less emphatic than 売り払う.
いらないものをネットで売った。
I sold off unwanted stuff online.
To liquidate stocks, bonds, or other investments.
Standard term for selling off securities or financial assets.
投資家は株を一斉に売却した。
Investors sold off shares all at once.
Trading jargon for closing a position, i.e., selling off what you hold.
損失を確定してポジションを手仕舞った。
I sold off my position to cut losses.
売り切る focuses on selling out completely (often a store's inventory). 売り尽くす emphasizes exhausting the supply, sometimes with a nuance of selling every last piece. 売り払う is used for selling off personal belongings or assets, often with a sense of getting rid of them.
The English phrasal verb 'sell off' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Choose the verb based on what is being sold and the context (business, personal, financial).