Translation guide
The English word 'tout' has several distinct meanings: to promote or praise something aggressively, to sell tickets illegally (scalping), to solicit business or customers, and in British English, to spy on racehorses. This guide covers the most common uses for learners.
To publicly praise or promote something or someone as being very good, often in an exaggerated or persistent way.
General term for promoting or advertising something. Can be used for touting a product, idea, or person.
He is actively touting the new product.
Literally 'to sell in', meaning to push or promote something aggressively, often with a nuance of salesmanship.
He touted his idea to his boss.
To praise excessively or sing the praises of. Used when touting someone's abilities or qualities.
She was touting that restaurant to the skies.
To highly praise or rave about something. Often used in reviews or media.
Critics touted the movie.
To resell tickets for an event at a higher price, often outside the venue.
Noun for a ticket scalper. The verb form is not commonly used; instead, describe the action as 'selling tickets at high prices'.
There was a tout selling tickets near the station.
Descriptive phrase: 'to resell tickets at a high price'. More formal than ダフ屋.
To try to persuade people to buy goods or services, often in a persistent or annoying way.
To watch racehorses in training and sell information to bettors.
Descriptive phrase: 'to spy on racehorse training'. This is a very specific British usage with no direct Japanese equivalent.
He was touting racehorses and selling the information.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'tout'. Always choose the option that matches the specific context: promoting, scalping, soliciting, or spying.
He was touting concert tickets at high prices.
He was touting insurance on the street.