売る
この本を売りたいです。
I want to sell this book.
To transfer ownership of something to another person in exchange for money.
車を売る
to sell a car
彼女は古着をネットで売っている。
She sells used clothes online.
Can also imply promoting or marketing something, e.g. 「商品を売る」 (to sell a product).
To betray or sacrifice someone for personal gain.
友達を売る
to betray a friend
Often used in phrases like 「友達を売る」 (to sell out a friend).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Particle Usage
売る always takes the direct object particle を (e.g., 本を売る). For indirect objects (e.g., 'sell to someone'), use に: 「彼に本を売る」 (to sell a book to him).
Gold Rule
Conjugation Patterns
売る conjugates as a godan verb: 売ります (polite), 売った (past), 売らない (negative), 売ろう (volitional). The te-form is 売って.
Word Origin
From Old Japanese verb うる (uru), related to Proto-Japonic *ura- and possibly linked to Proto-Altaic *ura- (to sell). The kanji '売' was adopted from Chinese '賣' (mài), though the Japanese verb uses the kun'yomi reading.
Usage Notes
売る is a transitive verb requiring a direct object (を). The passive form 売られる is rare; instead, 売りつける (to forcefully sell) or 売り払う (to sell off) are more common for negative connotations.