Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Sell" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "sell", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
売ります
うります (urimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
うる
うる (uru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "sell" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 売ります and うる.
In Japanese, 売ります (うります (urimasu)) is typically associated with "to sell" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 売る.
On the other hand, うる (うる (uru)) maps to "to sell" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb meaning 'to sell'. Used for commercial transactions. The opposite is 買う. A literal translation of "sell" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "売ります"
この店は古い本を売っています。
This store sells old books.
Bilingual Context for "うる"
この店は色々なパンを売っています。
This shop sells various kinds of bread.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この店は古い本を売っています。" (Meaning: "This store sells old books.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "売ります" fits here because it means "to sell" in the context of: "This store sells old books.". "うる" represents "to sell".