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.
彼は新製品を盛んに宣伝している。
He is actively touting the new product.
Literally 'to sell in', meaning to push or promote something aggressively, often with a nuance of salesmanship.
彼は自分のアイデアを上司に売り込んだ。
He touted his idea to his boss.
To praise excessively or sing the praises of. Used when touting someone's abilities or qualities.
彼女はそのレストランを褒めちぎっていた。
She was touting that restaurant to the skies.
To highly praise or rave about something. Often used in reviews or media.
批評家たちはその映画を絶賛した。
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'.
駅の近くにダフ屋がいた。
There was a tout selling tickets near the station.
Descriptive phrase: 'to resell tickets at a high price'. More formal than ダフ屋.
彼はコンサートのチケットを高値で転売していた。
He was touting concert tickets at high prices.
To try to persuade people to buy goods or services, often in a persistent or annoying way.
Noun meaning touting for customers, especially on the street. The verb is 客引きする.
あの店の前で客引きをしている人がいる。
There's someone touting for customers in front of that shop.
To solicit or invite someone to join or buy something. Can be used for touting services or memberships.
彼は街頭で保険の勧誘をしていた。
He was touting insurance on the street.
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.
彼は競走馬の調教を偵察して情報を売っていた。
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.