売うれっ子こ

う

れ

っ

こ

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

popular figure; person in demand; favorite

Refers to someone who is currently very popular and sought-after in their field, such as an entertainer, writer, or professional. Often used in media and entertainment contexts. The ateji spelling 売れっ妓 was sometimes used for geisha.

彼かれは今いま、テレビで一いち番ばんの売うれっ子こ司し会かい者しゃだ。
He is currently the most popular TV host.
あの作さっ家かは売うれっ子こで、新しん刊かんが出でるたびにベストセラーになる。
That writer is in high demand; every new book becomes a bestseller.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

売sell
子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
妓stretch, singing girl, geisha

Related words

人にん気き者もの
人気者 is a more general term for a popular or well-liked person, while 売れっ子 specifically implies being commercially successful and in demand professionally.
流行はやり
流行り refers to trends or fads, whereas 売れっ子 describes a person who is currently popular and sought-after.

Built from

売うれる+っ子こ

Written forms

売うれっ子こUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling.
売うれっ妓こUsage2%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji spelling historically used for geisha; now very rare.
ウレッコUsage1%

Etymology

Derived from the verb 売れる (to sell well, to be popular) with the suffix っ子, which adds a sense of endearment or familiarity. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely originated in Edo-period entertainment districts.