Translation guide
The act of exchanging goods or services for money. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 販売 (はんばい), but the appropriate word depends on the context, such as the type of goods, the scale of the business, or whether it's a personal transaction.
To refer to the act of selling goods or services in a business or commercial context.
The most common and general term for selling goods or services in a business context. Used for everything from retail to wholesale.
この商品は全国で販売されています。
This product is sold nationwide.
新製品の販売を開始しました。
We have started selling the new product.
The basic verb 'to sell'. Used in both business and personal contexts, but can sound casual. Often used in compound verbs.
彼は中古車を売っている。
He sells used cars.
この店では何を売っていますか？
What do you sell at this store?
The verb form of 販売. Slightly more formal than 売る, and very common in business Japanese.
当社は海外でも製品を販売しています。
Our company sells products overseas as well.
To refer to selling personal belongings, often second-hand items, by an individual.
The standard verb for an individual selling something, such as used items or personal belongings.
使わなくなった本をネットで売った。
I sold books I no longer use online.
友達に自転車を安く売った。
I sold my bicycle to a friend cheaply.
To put something up for sale, often used for larger items like a house or car.
家を売りに出そうと思っています。
I'm thinking of putting my house up for sale.
To refer to the occupation or act of selling as a job.
Refers to sales as a business activity or department. Often used for B2B sales or the sales profession.
彼は営業の仕事をしています。
He works in sales.
営業部に配属されました。
I was assigned to the sales department.
Loanword from English, often used for sales techniques, sales jobs, or door-to-door selling.
To express that a product is selling well or is in high demand.
The progressive form of 売れる (to sell well). Indicates that something is currently popular and selling.
このゲームはよく売れている。
This game is selling well.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to sell well' or 'to be popular'. Note: it does not mean 'can sell' (potential form of 売る is 売れる as well, but context distinguishes them).
この本は百万部売れた。
This book sold a million copies.
Means 'popular'. Often used to describe items that are selling well due to popularity.
To express that all items have been sold.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be sold out'. Used when a product is no longer available because all stock has been sold.
チケットは売り切れました。
The tickets are sold out.
Noun meaning 'sell-out' or 'sold out'. Often used in formal announcements or signs.
To refer to selling illegal goods or substances.
Refers to illegal selling or trafficking, especially of drugs or contraband.
彼は麻薬の密売で逮捕された。
He was arrested for drug trafficking.
General term for buying and selling, but often used in legal contexts for illicit trade (e.g., 人身売買 human trafficking).
売る (うる) is the basic verb for 'to sell' and can be used in both casual and business settings. 販売する (はんばいする) is more formal and specifically refers to commercial selling. In everyday conversation about personal items, 売る is more natural. In business documents or formal speech, 販売する is preferred.
売れる (うれる) can mean either 'to sell well' (intransitive) or 'can sell' (potential form of 売る). Context usually makes it clear. For example, この本はよく売れる means 'This book sells well', while この本は高く売れる means 'This book can be sold for a high price'.
セールスの経験があります。
I have sales experience.
The new product was popular and sold out quickly.
本日の分は完売いたしました。
Today's stock is sold out. (polite)
人身売買は重大な犯罪です。
Human trafficking is a serious crime.