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.
彼は車を売った。
He sold his car.
What do you sell at this store?
A more formal term for 'sell', often used in business contexts.
Our company sells products overseas.
Used for selling off assets like property or stocks, often implying a large or formal transaction.
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.
This book is selling well.
The new product sold out quickly.
Passive form of 売る, meaning 'is being sold'. Used when the seller is unknown or unimportant.
Passive of 販売する, formal way to say 'is being sold'.
You convince someone that an idea or plan is good.
Literally 'make someone understand/accept'. Used when you persuade someone logically.
It was hard to sell him on the plan.
General verb for 'persuade'. Can be used in many contexts.
Literally 'sell in', used for aggressively promoting an idea or oneself.
You betray someone or something for personal gain.
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.
I sold a book.
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'.
Handmade goods are sold at this store.
This medicine is sold at pharmacies.
I sold her on the idea of coming with us.
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.