うります

The Japanese verb うります (urimasu) is the polite form of the dictionary verb うる (uru), which translates primarily to 'to sell' or 'to trade' in English. In the Japanese linguistic framework, this word represents the fundamental action of a commercial transaction where goods, services, or even abstract ideas are exchanged for monetary compensation or value. It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb, which means its conjugation follows a specific pattern involving the five vowel sounds, though in its polite form, it remains consistent as urimasu. This word is essential for anyone navigating the Japanese marketplace, whether you are a casual shopper at a flea market, a business professional negotiating a contract, or a student learning about the economy.

Core Definition

The act of transferring ownership of an item or service to another person in exchange for money.

Understanding the nuance of urimasu requires looking at the Japanese concept of commerce. Unlike 'give' (ageru), which implies a gift with no expectation of return, urimasu implies a strictly balanced transaction. It is used in both formal business settings and daily casual interactions. For instance, a shopkeeper might say it to confirm they have an item for sale, or a person selling their old bicycle on a second-hand app like Mercari would use this verb to describe their intent. The word carries a sense of finality in the transfer of rights; once you urimasu something, it no longer belongs to you.

In a broader sense, urimasu can also be used metaphorically. In literature or news, you might see it used in contexts like 'selling one's soul' or 'selling out' a friend, though these are more advanced usages. At the A2 level, the focus is on the physical act of selling. It is important to note that the Japanese language often omits the subject (I, you, he) if it is clear from the context. Therefore, if you are standing in a shop and say 'Urimasu ka?', you are asking 'Do you sell this?' or 'Is this for sale?'

Grammatical Connection

The verb typically takes the direct object particle 'wo' (を) to indicate what is being sold and the particle 'ni' (に) to indicate to whom it is being sold.

When you visit Japan, you will see the kanji version of this word: 売ります. The top part of the kanji (売) historically represented 'to go out' or 'to bring out', and the bottom part represented 'to buy' or 'goods'. Together, they create the image of bringing goods out to the market to be exchanged. This visual history helps learners remember that urimasu is about the outward movement of items from the seller to the buyer. Whether it is a street food vendor selling takoyaki or a high-end department store in Ginza selling luxury watches, the action remains the same: urimasu.

Furthermore, urimasu is often used in the continuous form utte imasu (売っています) to describe a state of being for sale or the ongoing business of a shop. If you want to say 'This store sells vegetables,' you would more naturally say 'Kono mise wa yasai wo utte imasu.' However, for the simple future intent or a general statement of action, urimasu is the standard polite form taught at the beginner levels. It is a versatile, high-frequency verb that forms the backbone of Japanese commercial vocabulary.

Social Context

Using the polite '-masu' form is essential when speaking to shop staff or strangers. Using the dictionary form 'uru' might sound too blunt or aggressive in a commercial setting.

In summary, urimasu is not just a word for 'sell'; it is a window into the Japanese way of handling transactions. It is polite, direct, and structurally simple, making it a perfect addition to an A2 learner's vocabulary. By mastering this verb, you gain the ability to participate in the vibrant economy of Japan, from the smallest neighborhood grocer to the largest electronics retailers in Akihabara.

Using うります (urimasu) correctly in a sentence involves understanding the relationship between the seller, the item, the buyer, and the price. The basic sentence structure in Japanese is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV), but since the subject is often dropped, we focus heavily on the particles that connect the nouns to the action of selling. To use urimasu effectively, you must master the particles を (wo), に (ni), で (de), and から (kara).

The Direct Object (を)

The item being sold is always followed by 'wo'.
Example: 'Yasai wo urimasu' (I sell vegetables).

When you want to specify who you are selling to, you use the particle に (ni). This particle indicates the recipient of the action. For example, 'Tomodachi ni kuruma wo urimasu' means 'I will sell my car to my friend.' The order of 'Tomodachi ni' and 'kuruma wo' can sometimes be swapped, but the particles must stay attached to their respective nouns to maintain the meaning. This clarity is one of the strengths of the Japanese particle system.

The particle で (de) is used in two ways with urimasu. First, it can indicate the location where the sale happens: 'Depaato de urimasu' (I sell it at the department store). Second, it can indicate the price or the means of the sale: 'Gohyaku-en de urimasu' (I will sell it for 500 yen). Beginners often confuse 'de' with 'ni' when talking about prices, but remember that 'de' acts as a boundary or a condition for the exchange.

The Location and Price (で)

Use 'de' for the place of sale or the total price.
Example: 'Kono mise de urimasu' (Sell at this shop) or 'Sen-en de urimasu' (Sell for 1000 yen).

Negative and past tense forms are also crucial. Since urimasu is a polite verb, its negative form is urimasen (do not sell) and its past tense is urimashita (sold). If you are looking for something in a store and they don't have it, the clerk might say, 'Sore wa urimasen' (We don't sell that). If you are talking about a car you sold last year, you would say, 'Kyonen, kuruma wo urimashita.'

For more complex sentences, you can use urimasu to express desire or potential. 'Uritai desu' means 'I want to sell,' and 'Urimashou' means 'Let's sell.' These variations allow you to express a range of intentions. For example, if you are moving and have too many things, you might say to a friend, 'Kono terebi wo uritai desu' (I want to sell this TV). Using these structures helps you move beyond simple statements and into real-world communication.

Expressing Intent

Use 'uritai' for desire and 'urimashou' for suggestions.
Example: 'Takaku uritai desu' (I want to sell it at a high price).

Finally, remember the polite question form. 'Nani wo urimasu ka?' (What do you sell?) is a great way to start a conversation with a vendor at a festival (matsuri). By combining the object, the price, and the location, you can form complete, sophisticated sentences like: 'Kono mise de, ringo wo go-ko, gohyaku-en de urimasu' (This shop sells five apples for 500 yen). Mastering these patterns is the key to fluency with urimasu.

The word うります (urimasu) and its various forms are ubiquitous in Japanese daily life. From the moment you step into a bustling city center like Shibuya to the quietest rural village, the act of selling is announced and discussed everywhere. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is in the context of shotengai (shopping streets). Here, vendors often use the progressive form 'utte imasu' or the plain form 'uru' in signs, but 'urimasu' is the standard for polite verbal interactions.

Traditional Markets

At morning markets (asa-ichi), you will hear farmers explaining what they have for sale. They might say, 'Kyo wa shinsen na tomato wo urimasu!' (Today, I'm selling fresh tomatoes!).

In modern Japan, the digital landscape is filled with this word. Apps like Mercari (a popular flea market app) use 'uru' (sell) and 'urimasu' constantly. When you list an item, the button might say 'shuppin' (list/exhibit), but in the comments section, users will ask, 'Ikura de urimasu ka?' (How much will you sell it for?). Hearing or reading this word online is perhaps the most frequent way young people interact with it today. It represents the democratization of commerce where anyone can be a seller.

Another classic scenario is the Japanese depachika (department store basement food halls). While the staff usually use more humble language (kenjougo) like 'hanbai shite orimasu,' if you ask a simple question in polite Japanese, they will respond using urimasu or urimasen to ensure you understand. For example, if you ask for a specific seasonal cake, they might reply, 'Moushiwake arimasen, sore wa koko de wa urimasen' (I'm sorry, we don't sell that here).

Television and Advertisements

Commercials often use catchy phrases. You might hear, 'Ima nara, yasuku urimasu!' (If you buy now, we'll sell it cheaply!). The word is used to create a sense of urgency and opportunity.

In the world of real estate and big-ticket items, urimasu takes on a more serious tone. When a house is for sale, you will see signs that say 'Uritashi' (For Sale), which is a formal derivative. In news reports about the economy, you'll hear about companies 'selling off' assets. While the vocabulary might get more technical, the root verb uru remains the central concept. Even in anime or dramas, a character might desperately say, 'Kore wo urimasu! Okane ga hitsuyo nan desu!' (I'll sell this! I need the money!), highlighting the word's emotional weight in desperate situations.

Finally, you will hear urimasu in the context of 'selling points' or 'specialties.' A restaurant might say, 'Uchi wa ramen wo urimasu' not just meaning they sell ramen, but that ramen is their 'selling point' or what they are famous for. This usage shows how the word has expanded from a simple transaction to a declaration of identity and quality. Whether you are at a festival, browsing an app, or watching the news, urimasu is a word that connects you to the flow of Japanese society.

Learning うります (urimasu) seems straightforward, but English speakers often fall into several common traps. The most frequent mistake is confusing urimasu (to sell) with its opposite, かいます (kaimasu - to buy). Because the two actions always happen simultaneously in a transaction, beginners often swap them mentally. It is vital to remember: Urimasu is 'Out' (giving the item), and Kaimasu is 'In' (receiving the item).

The Buy/Sell Confusion

Mistake: 'Ringo wo urimasu' (I sell an apple) when you actually mean 'I buy an apple'.
Correction: Use 'Kaimasu' for buying.

Another mistake involves the use of particles, specifically に (ni) and を (wo). In English, we can say 'I sell my friend my car' (no preposition) or 'I sell my car to my friend.' In Japanese, you must use particles. A common error is saying 'Tomodachi wo urimasu' (I sell my friend) instead of 'Tomodachi ni urimasu' (I sell to my friend). Unless you are a character in a dark thriller, you definitely want to use 'ni' for the person receiving the item!

Confusion also arises between urimasu and agemasu (to give). While both involve transferring an item to someone else, agemasu is for gifts and urimasu is for commerce. If you say 'Kore wo urimasu' to a friend who is expecting a birthday present, it will be quite a shock! Always ensure there is a price or a trade involved when using urimasu.

The Price Particle Mistake

Mistake: Using 'ni' for price (e.g., 'Hyaku-en ni urimasu').
Correction: Use 'de' for the exchange price (e.g., 'Hyaku-en de urimasu').

A more subtle mistake is the misuse of the continuous form utte imasu versus the simple form urimasu. In English, we say 'They sell bread' to mean it's their general business. In Japanese, if the shop is currently in the business of selling bread, utte imasu is much more natural. Using urimasu can sometimes sound like a one-time future action ('I will sell it'). If you want to describe a shop's inventory, stick to utte imasu.

Finally, watch out for the transitive/intransitive pair. Urimasu is transitive (you sell something). The intransitive counterpart (something sells/is popular) is ureru (うれる). If you want to say 'This book is selling well,' you should use 'Kono hon wa yoku urete imasu,' not 'urimasu.' Using the wrong one changes the focus from the book's popularity to your personal action of selling. By being mindful of these distinctions, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and speak more naturally.

While うります (urimasu) is the most versatile and common word for 'to sell,' Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality, the type of transaction, and the specific context. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation, making your Japanese sound more polished and precise.

販売する (Hanbai suru)

This is a formal, Sino-Japanese (Kango) word for 'to sell' or 'to market.' You will see this on signs, in business reports, and on vending machines (jidou-hanbaiki). It implies a more organized, commercial operation than the simple 'urimasu'.

If you are transferring something to someone not necessarily for a fixed market price, but perhaps giving them a 'deal' or passing it on, you might use ゆずる (yuzuru). This word translates to 'to hand over' or 'to concede.' In second-hand contexts, like selling a fridge to a junior student before you move out, yuzuru sounds much warmer and less 'greedy' than urimasu. It suggests a friendly transfer of ownership.

For bulk selling or wholesale, the word おろす (orosu) is used. This specifically refers to a wholesaler selling to a retailer. For example, a fishmonger at Tsukiji market 'orosu' fish to a sushi restaurant. As a consumer, you wouldn't use this word, but you might hear it when people talk about the supply chain. It's a useful word for understanding the 'backstage' of Japanese commerce.

売り出す (Uridasu)

This means 'to put on sale' or 'to launch a product.' It focuses on the beginning of the selling period. You often see this in advertisements for new albums, movies, or seasonal products.

When discussing the act of 'selling off' something to get rid of it, うりはらう (uriharau) is a strong alternative. The 'harau' part (meaning to clear out or pay) adds a nuance of liquidation. If a company is in trouble and sells its building, they uriharau the property. Similarly, if you are clearing out your garage, you might use this term to describe the mass sale of your old junk.

In summary, while urimasu is your go-to word, keep an eye out for hanbai suru in shops, yuzuru among friends, and uridasu in marketing. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' of transaction, reflecting the social distance and the intent of the seller. By learning these alternatives, you move from a basic understanding to a more nuanced grasp of the Japanese language.

Summary Table

- Urimasu: General use.
- Hanbai suru: Official/Business.
- Yuzuru: Giving/Selling to someone you know.
- Uridasu: Launching a sale.