“To sell” in Japanese is 売る (うる), pronounced uru.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To sell. Sold out is 売り切れ, a word you’ll see on popular items.
Example sentences
- この店は本を売っています。このみせはほんをうっています。This shop sells books.
- 車を売りました。くるまをうりました。I sold my car.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 売る. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 売る うる | sell |
| Polite present | 売ります うります | sell |
| Polite negative | 売りません うりません | don’t sell |
| Polite past | 売りました うりました | past of “sell” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 売らない うらない | don’t sell (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 売った うった | past of “sell” (casual) |
| て-form | 売って うって | sell and… / please sell (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 売りたい うりたい | want to sell |
Quick practice
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What does {{売る}} mean?
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to sell in Japanese?
To sell in Japanese is 売る (うる), pronounced “uru”.
How do you write to sell in Japanese?
It's written 売る with kanji, or うる in hiragana. Both are read uru.
Is 売る on the JLPT?
Yes. 売る (uru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.