売れる

• Reading: うれる
• Romaji: ureru
• Kanji breakdown: 売 (u/bai) — sell
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To sell well; to be sold. Describes something being purchased or becoming popular.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb and the intransitive/potential form related to 売る (uru, to sell). Conjugated by dropping る. Describes things that are sold or people/products that gain popularity. 売れっ子 (urekko) means a popular person. よく売れる means 'sells well.' Can also mean 'to be well-known.'

Examples

1. この本は発売してすぐに売れた。 This book sold out right after it went on sale.
2. 夏はアイスクリームがよく売れる。 Ice cream sells really well in the summer.
3. 彼女は売れている女優だ。 She's a popular actress.

Usage Guide

Context: business, entertainment, shopping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The intransitive form of 売る (to sell). The kanji 売 originally depicted a person offering goods with an outstretched hand at a market. The れる ending indicates the spontaneous or resultative state of being sold.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal