春はるを売うる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

work as a prostitute; sell sexual services

Euphemistic and somewhat literary expression for engaging in prostitution. The word 春 (spring) is used metaphorically for youth or sexual allure.

• 彼かの女じょは若わかい頃ころ、生いきるために春はるを売うっていた。

  When she was young, she sold her body to survive.

• その小しょう説せつの主しゅ人じん公こうは、貧まずしさから春はるを売うることを余よ儀ぎなくされた。

  The protagonist of that novel was forced into prostitution by poverty.