Translation guide
The English word "wholesale" has two main uses: as a noun/adjective referring to the business of selling goods in large quantities to retailers, and as an adjective/adverb meaning "on a large scale" or "indiscriminately." This guide covers both.
The speaker wants to refer to the sale of goods in large quantities, typically to be sold again by retailers, or to the price of such goods.
wholesale price · buy wholesale · wholesale market
The standard noun meaning "wholesale" as a business activity. Often used in compounds.
He runs a wholesale business.
An abbreviation of 卸売, commonly used in business contexts and compounds.
This product is cheap if you buy it wholesale.
Literally "bulk buying." Used when a consumer buys a large quantity at once, often at a discount, but not necessarily for resale. Closer to "stocking up."
I bought toilet paper in bulk.
The speaker wants to describe something done extensively, often with a negative connotation of being indiscriminate or sweeping.
wholesale slaughter · wholesale changes · wholesale rejection
Means "large-scale." A neutral way to express the extent of something.
There were wholesale job cuts.
Means "comprehensive" or "across-the-board." Implies something affecting all parts.
Means "indiscriminate." Used when the action is done without careful selection, often with a negative nuance.
An adverb meaning "root and branch," "completely," or "wholesale" in the sense of wiping out everything. Often used with verbs like 取り除く (remove) or 変える (change).
The Japanese word 卸売 (おろしうり) only refers to the business of wholesale trade. It cannot be used to mean 'on a large scale' or 'indiscriminate.' For that, use words like 大規模な or 全面的な.
卸 (おろし) is for business-to-business transactions. まとめ買い (まとめがい) is for consumers buying in bulk for personal use. Using 卸 when you mean personal bulk buying can sound odd.
They buy goods wholesale and sell them retail.
The company announced wholesale layoffs.
A wholesale review of the policy is necessary.
Wholesale attacks are unacceptable.
古いシステムを根こそぎ入れ替えた。
We replaced the old system wholesale.