noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
selling oneself into bondage; prostitution
Historically refers to selling oneself into servitude or prostitution, often due to poverty. In modern contexts, it can be used metaphorically for compromising one's freedom or dignity for money.
貧しさのあまり、娘を身売りに出さざるを得なかった。
Driven by poverty, they had no choice but to sell their daughter into bondage.
彼は借金のために身売り同然の契約を結んだ。
He signed a contract that was practically selling himself into servitude because of his debts.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
Used for selling a business, assets, or one's stake to a competitor or third party, often with a nuance of betrayal or loss of control.
その老舗企業は外資系に身売りした。
The long-established company sold out to a foreign firm.
経営難で会社を身売りするしかなかった。
Due to financial difficulties, they had no choice but to sell off the company.