売る

• Reading: うる
• Romaji: uru
• Kanji breakdown: 売 (bai/u) — to sell
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To sell. The basic verb for selling goods or services.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with an る stem. Used for selling items, products, and services. を marks the item being sold. The intransitive counterpart is 売れる (ureru, to sell well / to be sold). The passive form 売られている is commonly seen in shops.

Examples

1. この店は果物を売っています。 This shop sells fruit.
2. 古い本をネットで売りました。 I sold my old books online.
3. 駅の前でお弁当を売っている人がいる。 There's someone selling boxed lunches in front of the station.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, business, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 売 historically derived from elements meaning 'going out to trade,' with the modern simplified form reflecting the act of commerce.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal