Translation guide
The English phrase "sell out" has two main meanings: to sell all of something (inventory) and to betray one's principles for personal gain. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both.
To express that a product, tickets, or items are completely sold and no longer available.
The concert tickets sold out in minutes. · I'm sorry, we're sold out of that item. · They sold out their entire stock.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be sold out'. Used when the subject is the item itself. Very common and natural.
Those tickets have already sold out.
The new product sold out quickly.
Transitive verb meaning 'to sell out (of something)'. Used when the seller is the subject. Often used in business contexts.
We sold out of that product.
Noun/suru-verb meaning 'sell-out' or 'sold out'. Often seen on signs or in announcements. More formal than 売り切れる.
Today's tickets are sold out. (polite announcement)
Thank you for selling out (often on posters/signs)
Noun meaning 'out of stock'. Used for products in stores or online. Not typically used for tickets or events.
Sorry, that item is out of stock.
Transitive verb meaning 'to sell out completely' or 'to exhaust inventory'. Emphasizes selling every last item.
We sold out all our inventory.
To describe someone who compromises their integrity, values, or original supporters for money, fame, or success.
He used to be an indie artist, but he sold out and now makes commercial pop. · Don't sell out your friends for a promotion. · She felt like she was selling out by taking that corporate job.
Literally 'to sell one's soul'. A direct and common metaphor for selling out, especially in artistic or moral contexts.
He sold his soul for success.
That band sold out and became pop stars.
Literally 'to bend one's beliefs'. Implies compromising principles, often for external pressure or gain.
Literally 'to sell one's body'. Can mean prostitution, but metaphorically it means selling oneself out, often in a degrading way.
Can be misinterpreted as literal prostitution. Use with care.
Means 'lacking integrity/principles'. Describes a person who easily changes loyalties or values for personal benefit.
Do not use 売り切れる or 完売 for the metaphorical meaning. These only refer to inventory. For betrayal, use expressions like 魂を売る or 信念を曲げる.
売り切れる is an intransitive verb used in everyday conversation. 完売 is a noun/suru-verb often used in formal announcements or signs. Both mean 'sold out', but 完売 sounds more official.
He sold out his beliefs for money.
He sold himself to a big corporation.
He has no integrity and sells out quickly.