卖

• Pinyin: mài
• Hanzi breakdown: 卖 = simplified from 賣, which combines 出 (out) + 買 (buy) — to put out for sale

Meaning

To sell. The act of exchanging goods or services for money.

The counterpart of 买 (to buy). Used for selling any kind of goods or services. Also appears in figurative expressions like 卖力 (to work hard, literally 'sell effort') and 卖关子 (to keep someone in suspense).

Examples

1. 这家店卖各种各样的水果。 This shop sells all kinds of fruit.
2. 他把旧自行车卖了。 He sold his old bicycle.
3. 这个东西卖多少钱？ How much does this cost?

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, business, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个多少钱？你卖不卖？(How much is this? Are you selling it?)
• 他在网上卖衣服。(He sells clothes online.)

Don't Say

• 不要混淆'卖'(mài, 4th tone, sell)和'买'(mǎi, 3rd tone, buy) (Don't confuse 卖 sell with 买 buy — they differ by tone and a single stroke)

Origin & History

Simplified from traditional 賣. Originally composed of 出 (out) + 買 (buy), suggesting putting goods out for purchase — the counterpart of buying.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal