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
販売する
はんばいする (hanbai suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "sell" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 売ります and 販売する.
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, 販売する (はんばいする (hanbai suru)) maps to "to sell; to market" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents To sell products or services, often in a commercial context. More formal than 売る. 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 "販売する"
この商品はインターネットでのみ販売されています。
This product is sold only on the internet.
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.". "販売する" represents "to sell; to market".