卸売 in 30 Seconds
- Wholesale (卸売) is the B2B sale of goods in bulk quantities.
- It acts as the middle link between manufacturers and retail stores.
- Prices are lower than retail but require high-volume purchases.
- Key locations include central markets like Toyosu in Tokyo.
The Japanese term 卸売 (おろしうり - Oroshiuri) is a fundamental concept in commerce and economics, specifically referring to the act of wholesaling. At its core, it describes the business model where goods are sold in large quantities to retailers, industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users, rather than to individual end-consumers. The word itself is a compound of two kanji: 卸 (to unload or distribute) and 売 (to sell). Historically, the kanji '卸' originates from the physical act of 'unloading' goods from a horse or cart to a warehouse or a secondary merchant. In the modern Japanese economic landscape, 卸売 represents the vital 'middleman' stage that bridges the gap between manufacturers (producers) and the retail shops where the general public shops.
- Economic Function
- Acts as a buffer in the supply chain, managing inventory and logistics for smaller retailers who cannot buy directly from factories.
- B2B Nature
- Primarily a Business-to-Business (B2B) transaction, characterized by high volume and lower unit prices.
- Market Role
- Wholesalers often provide market intelligence to producers and credit facilities to retailers.
この商品は卸売価格で提供されています。 (This product is being offered at a wholesale price.)
Understanding 卸売 requires looking at the Japanese distribution system, which has historically been known for its complexity. Often referred to as the 'multi-layered distribution system,' goods might pass through a primary wholesaler (大卸 - Ō-oroshi), a secondary wholesaler (中卸 - Naka-oroshi), and sometimes even a tertiary one before reaching the retail shelf. This system ensures that even the smallest 'mom-and-pop' shops in remote rural areas have access to a wide variety of goods, though it can also lead to higher final consumer prices due to the margins added at each stage. In recent years, the 'disintermediation' or 'middleman-cutting' (中抜き - Nakanuki) trend has seen many manufacturers selling directly to large retail chains, but the 卸売 sector remains a cornerstone of the Japanese economy, particularly in industries like fresh produce, seafood (think Toyosu Market), and apparel.
彼は卸売業者として働いています。 (He works as a wholesaler.)
In a broader sense, 卸売 is not just about moving boxes; it is about risk management and financing. Wholesalers take on the risk of holding stock and provide credit to retailers who might not have the cash flow to pay upfront. This financial lubrication is what keeps the wheels of Japanese commerce turning. When you see a large truck delivering crates of drinks to a convenience store, you are witnessing the final leg of the 卸売 process. The scale of these operations is massive, with the total annual sales of the wholesale sector in Japan often dwarfing the retail sector because goods are counted multiple times as they move through different wholesale layers.
卸売市場は朝早くから活気にあふれています。 (The wholesale market is full of energy from early in the morning.)
メーカーは卸売店に新製品を紹介した。 (The manufacturer introduced the new product to the wholesale stores.)
大量注文なら卸売が可能です。 (Wholesale is possible if it is a large order.)
Using 卸売 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its ability to form compound words. In daily conversation, you might not use it often unless you work in business, but in professional settings, it is indispensable. The most common way to use it is as a modifier for other nouns to describe business entities, prices, or locations. For example, 卸売価格 (Oroshiuri kakaku) means 'wholesale price,' and 卸売業者 (Oroshiuri gyōsha) means 'wholesale merchant' or 'distributor.' When you want to say 'to wholesale' as a verb, you typically use the verb form 卸す (Orosu), which is the active action of supplying goods to a retailer.
- As a Noun
- Used to describe the industry: 「卸売は経済の基盤だ」(Wholesale is the foundation of the economy).
- In Compounds
- 卸売市場 (Wholesale market), 卸売業 (Wholesale trade), 卸売物価指数 (Wholesale Price Index - WPI).
- Verb Form
- Use '卸す' (Orosu) for the action: 「商品を小売店に卸す」(To wholesale products to retail stores).
When discussing business strategy, you might encounter the phrase 卸売を通さない (Oroshiuri o tōsanai), which means 'not going through wholesale' or 'direct sales.' This is a major trend in modern Japanese e-commerce (D2C - Direct to Consumer). However, for traditional sectors like construction materials, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, the 卸売 route is still the standard. If you are a buyer for a company, you would ask, 「卸売での注文は最低何個からですか？」 (What is the minimum quantity for a wholesale order?). This highlights the 'bulk' nature of the term.
弊社は野菜の卸売を専門としています。 (Our company specializes in the wholesale of vegetables.)
Grammatically, 卸売 functions as a standard noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object, or part of a possessive phrase using 'no' (の). For instance, 卸売の仕事 (Oroshiuri no shigoto) means 'wholesale work.' It is important to distinguish it from 小売 (Kouri), which is retail. In a sentence comparing the two: 「卸売は安く、小売は高い」 (Wholesale is cheap, retail is expensive). In formal reports, you will see it used in the context of the 卸売物価 (Wholesale prices), which are key indicators of inflation and economic health in Japan.
You will encounter 卸売 in several specific environments in Japan. The most iconic location is the 中央卸売市場 (Chūō Oroshiuri Shijō), or the Central Wholesale Market. Every major Japanese city has one, with Tokyo's Toyosu (formerly Tsukiji) being the most famous globally. Here, the word is shouted by auctioneers and written on thousands of shipping crates. If you watch the morning news in Japan, you will often hear reports on the 'market conditions' (市況 - Shikyō) of the wholesale market, which determines how much you will pay for spinach or tuna at the supermarket later that day.
豊洲の卸売市場を見学しました。 (I toured the Toyosu wholesale market.)
In the corporate world, specifically in sales and logistics departments, 卸売 is a daily keyword. During business meetings, managers discuss 卸先 (Oroshisaki), which refers to the specific wholesale clients or destinations they are selling to. If you work for a manufacturer like Sony or Toyota, your primary customers aren't usually individuals, but 卸売業者 (wholesalers) who then distribute the products. You will also hear it in economic news when discussing the 国内企業物価指数 (Producer Price Index), which was formerly known as the Wholesale Price Index in Japan. Economists use these figures to predict future retail price hikes.
Another common place is in job listings. Many stable, mid-sized Japanese companies are 卸売商社 (Wholesale trading companies). These firms often have 'Trading' or 'Shoji' in their names. They are the backbone of the Japanese 'salaryman' culture, acting as the connectors in the vast industrial network. When someone says, 「うちは卸売だから、一般の人には売らないんだ」 (Since we are wholesale, we don't sell to the general public), they are setting a clear boundary on their business model. You might also see signs on buildings in districts like Nihonbashi or Bakurocho in Tokyo, which are historic wholesale districts for textiles and stationery.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 卸売 is confusing it with its phonetic neighbor, おろし (Oroshi), which means 'grated.' While both use the kanji 卸, they are used in completely different contexts. If you go to a restaurant and ask for 'Oroshiuri' on your steak, the waiter will be very confused; you want 'Daikon-oroshi.' Conversely, in a business meeting, referring to your distribution strategy as 'Oroshi' is acceptable, but 'Oroshiuri' is more precise. Another mistake is the pronunciation: ensure you say 'O-ro-shi-u-ri' clearly. Some learners accidentally say 'Orosuri,' skipping the 'hi' sound.
- Confusion with Retail
- Mixing up 卸売 (Wholesale) and 小売 (Retail). Remember: 'Sho' (小) in 小売 means small/individual.
- Kanji Misreading
- The kanji 卸 is sometimes misread as 御 (Go/On - honorific). They look similar but have no relation.
- Usage as a Verb
- Learners often try to say '卸売する' (Oroshiuri suru). While not strictly wrong, '卸す' (Orosu) is much more natural for the action.
Another nuanced mistake is failing to distinguish between 卸売 (Oroshiuri) and 問屋 (Tonya). While often used interchangeably, 卸売 is the name of the *activity* or the *industry*, whereas 問屋 is the traditional name for the *merchant* or the *company* itself. In modern business, 卸売業者 is the standard term, but in historical or specific trade contexts (like textiles or traditional crafts), 問屋 is still preferred. Using 'Tonya' in a high-tech electronics context might sound slightly dated, whereas using 'Oroshiuri' is always safe.
❌ 私はスーパーで卸売をしました。 (I did wholesale at the supermarket.)
✅ 私はスーパーで買い物をしました。 (I did shopping at the supermarket.)
Finally, be careful with the 'scale' of the word. 卸売 implies business-level quantities. If you buy three boxes of tissues at a warehouse club like Costco, you are technically shopping at a 'Wholesale Club,' but in Japanese, this is often still categorized under 小売 or 会員制倉庫型店 (membership warehouse store). Using 卸売 for your personal shopping habits sounds like you are a professional trader buying by the pallet.
To truly master 卸売, you should understand the words that surround it in the semantic field of commerce. The most direct counterpart is 小売 (こうり - Kouri), meaning retail. The entire economy is often summarized as the 製・配・販 (Sei-Hai-Han) chain: Manufacturing, Distribution (Wholesale), and Sales (Retail). Another closely related term is 問屋 (とんや - Tonya). As mentioned before, this is the traditional term for a wholesaler. In the Edo period, Tonya held immense power, controlling the flow of rice and silk into major cities. Today, you still see this in place names like 問屋町 (Tonyamachi) in various Japanese cities.
- 流通 (Ryūtsū)
- Distribution. This is the broader term that encompasses both wholesale and the logistics of moving goods.
- 商社 (Shōsha)
- Trading company. While wholesalers usually handle physical goods in a specific region, Shōsha (like Mitsubishi or Mitsui) often handle global trade and large-scale commodities.
- 仲卸 (Naka-oroshi)
- Intermediate wholesaler. Specifically used in markets like Toyosu for those who buy from the primary auction and sell to sushi chefs.
Another word is 配給 (はいきゅう - Haikyū), which means distribution but often carries a connotation of 'rationing' or 'official supply,' such as during wartime or for film distribution. For physical goods in a modern economy, 配送 (Haisō) is used for the delivery aspect. If you are talking about the 'source' of the goods, you might use 仕入れ (しいれ - Shiire), which means 'stocking' or 'procurement.' A wholesaler's job is to 卸す (sell to others), while a retailer's job is to 仕入れる (buy from the wholesaler).
問屋から直接仕入れることでコストを抑える。 (Reduce costs by procuring directly from the wholesaler.)
Finally, consider 直販 (ちょくはん - Chokuhan), which is the opposite of going through a 卸売. It stands for 'Direct Sales.' As digital transformation (DX) hits Japan, many companies are moving from 卸売 models to 直販 models to increase their profit margins. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate business news and professional conversations with much more precision. For example, knowing that a 仲卸 (Naka-oroshi) is the person you actually talk to at a fish market, rather than the general 卸売業者, shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns (Noun + Noun)
The particle 'Ni' for recipients (卸売業者に売る)
The particle 'De' for means/method (卸売で買う)
Comparison (A は B より...)
Passive voice for business processes (行われる)
Examples by Level
これは卸売の店です。
This is a wholesale store.
Noun + の + Noun
卸売は安いです。
Wholesale is cheap.
Simple subject + は + Adjective
大きな市場で卸売をします。
They do wholesale at the big market.
Location + で + Object + をします
卸売の車が見えます。
I can see a wholesale truck.
Possessive の
ここは卸売市場ですか？
Is this a wholesale market?
Question form
卸売で買います。
I buy by wholesale.
Method particle で
父は卸売の仕事をしています。
My father does wholesale work.
Present continuous state
卸売の値段はいくらですか？
How much is the wholesale price?
Asking for price
卸売業者は小売店に物を売ります。
Wholesalers sell things to retail stores.
Agent + は + Recipient + に + Object + を売る
卸売価格で買うには、たくさん注文しなければなりません。
To buy at wholesale price, you must order a lot.
Conditional ~なければなりません
この町には古い卸売市場があります。
There is an old wholesale market in this town.
Existence with あります
卸売と小売の違いを教えてください。
Please tell me the difference between wholesale and retail.
A と B の違い
彼は野菜の卸売を専門にしています。
He specializes in the wholesale of vegetables.
Specialization phrase 専門にしている
卸売の注文はインターネットでもできます。
Wholesale orders can also be made via the internet.
Potential/Possibility
来週、卸売市場を見学に行きます。
Next week, I will go to tour the wholesale market.
Purpose of going (~にいく)
卸売のほうが小売より安いです。
Wholesale is cheaper than retail.
Comparison A ほう B より
卸売業者は、メーカーと小売店をつなぐ役割を果たしています。
Wholesalers play the role of connecting manufacturers and retailers.
Relative clause + 役割を果たす
卸売物価が上がると、将来的に小売価格も上がります。
When wholesale prices rise, retail prices will also rise in the future.
Conditional ~と (natural consequence)
この商品は卸売専用なので、一般の方は購入できません。
This product is for wholesale only, so general public cannot purchase it.
Reasoning with ~なので
卸売市場の競りは、毎朝早朝に行われます。
The wholesale market auctions are held early every morning.
Passive voice 行われる
効率的な卸売システムが、日本の物流を支えています。
An efficient wholesale system supports Japan's logistics.
Subject + が + Object + を支える
卸売業者から見積もりを取り寄せました。
I obtained a quote from the wholesaler.
Obtaining something from a source
卸売の段階で商品の検品を徹底しています。
We are thorough with product inspections at the wholesale stage.
At the stage of (~の段階で)
中小の小売店にとって、卸売業者は欠かせない存在です。
For small and medium retailers, wholesalers are an indispensable presence.
For X (~にとって)
卸売業界は現在、デジタル化による大きな変革期にあります。
The wholesale industry is currently in a period of great transformation due to digitalization.
State of being (~にある)
卸売物価指数の変動は、景気の先行指標として注目されます。
Fluctuations in the Wholesale Price Index are watched as leading economic indicators.
As X (~として)
多段階の卸売構造が、最終的な消費者価格を押し上げているという指摘がある。
There are points made that the multi-layered wholesale structure is pushing up final consumer prices.
Noun clause + という指摘がある
卸売業者は在庫リスクを負担することで、流通を円滑にしている。
Wholesalers smooth out distribution by bearing inventory risk.
By doing X (~することで)
産地直送の拡大により、伝統的な卸売市場の役割が変化している。
Due to the expansion of direct-from-farm shipping, the role of traditional wholesale markets is changing.
Due to X (~により)
卸売契約を締結する前に、与信管理を徹底する必要がある。
Before concluding a wholesale contract, it is necessary to be thorough with credit management.
Before doing X (~する前に)
卸売業の営業利益率は、他業種に比べて低い傾向にある。
The operating profit margin of the wholesale industry tends to be lower compared to other industries.
Compared to X (~に比べて)
独自の物流網を持つことが、卸売業者の競争優位性につながる。
Having a unique logistics network leads to a wholesaler's competitive advantage.
Leads to X (~につながる)
卸売市場法が改正され、市場の民営化や効率化が加速している。
The Wholesale Market Act has been revised, accelerating the privatization and streamlining of markets.
Passive voice + resultative state
卸売業者は単なる物流拠点ではなく、情報提供や金融機能も併せ持つべきだ。
Wholesalers should not just be logistics hubs, but also possess information provision and financial functions.
Not just A but also B (単なる~ではなく)
グローバル化に伴い、海外の卸売ルートを開拓することが急務となっている。
With globalization, developing overseas wholesale routes has become an urgent task.
Accompanying X (~に伴い)
卸売段階での価格転嫁がスムーズに進まないことが、企業の収益を圧迫している。
The failure of price pass-through at the wholesale stage is squeezing corporate profits.
Nominalized clause as subject
中抜き現象の進展は、既存の卸売業者にとって死活問題である。
The progress of the disintermediation phenomenon is a matter of life and death for existing wholesalers.
A matter of life and death (死活問題)
卸売業の再編が進み、大手による中小業者の買収が相次いでいる。
The reorganization of the wholesale industry is progressing, with a succession of acquisitions of small and medium-sized businesses by major firms.
Succession of events (相次いでいる)
垂直的統合を推進することで、卸売から小売までの一貫したサービスを提供する。
By promoting vertical integration, we provide consistent service from wholesale to retail.
Consistent/integrated (一貫した)
卸売物価のデフレ傾向が、日本経済の長期停滞の一因とされてきた。
The deflationary trend of wholesale prices has been considered a cause of the long-term stagnation of the Japanese economy.
Considered as a cause (一因とされてきた)
卸売業の存在意義は、情報の非対称性を解消し、需給の最適化を図る点に集約される。
The raison d'être of the wholesale industry is concentrated in the point of resolving information asymmetry and optimizing supply and demand.
Concentrated in the point of (~点に集約される)
卸売物価指数（WPI）から企業物価指数（CGPI）への移行は、統計の精度向上を企図したものである。
The transition from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to the Corporate Goods Price Index (CGPI) was intended to improve the accuracy of statistics.
Intended to (~を企図したものである)
伝統的な卸売構造の硬直性が、イノベーションの阻害要因となっているとの批判は根強い。
Criticism remains strong that the rigidity of traditional wholesale structures is a factor hindering innovation.
Criticism remains strong (批判は根強い)
卸売業者が有する膨大な取引データを活用した、プラットフォームビジネスへの転換が模索されている。
A shift toward platform businesses that utilize the vast transaction data held by wholesalers is being explored.
Being explored (模索されている)
卸売市場における「せり」の原則が、相対取引の拡大によって形骸化しつつある。
The principle of 'auctions' in wholesale markets is becoming a mere formality due to the expansion of negotiated transactions.
Becoming a mere formality (形骸化しつつある)
卸売業の機能分化が進む中で、ロジスティクスに特化した業態が台頭している。
As the functional differentiation of the wholesale industry progresses, business formats specialized in logistics are emerging.
Emerging/Rising (台頭している)
卸売段階でのマージン設定は、商慣習やリベート体系と密接に関連しており、外部からは不透明に見えることが多い。
Margin setting at the wholesale stage is closely related to business customs and rebate systems, often appearing opaque from the outside.
Closely related (密接に関連しており)
グローバル・サプライチェーンの脆弱性が露呈したことで、卸売業者の在庫保持機能が再評価されている。
The exposure of global supply chain vulnerabilities has led to a re-evaluation of the inventory-holding function of wholesalers.
Re-evaluation (再評価されている)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Retail (selling to individuals) vs Wholesale.
The whole distribution process vs just the wholesale part.
Large trading companies vs regional wholesalers.
The act of buying stock vs the act of selling it wholesale.
The secondary wholesaler inside a market.
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Oroshiuri is the technical term; Tonya is the traditional/cultural term.
Highly formal and professional.
Tips
Kanji Breakdown
Focus on the 'unloading' aspect of the first kanji to remember the meaning.
Toyosu Market
Watch a video of a tuna auction to see 卸売 in action.
B2B Vocabulary
Use this word when discussing supply chains or logistics.
Compound Words
Learn it as part of 'Oroshiuri-gyosha' for maximum utility.
Flat Tone
Keep your voice steady; don't stress any particular syllable.
Retail vs Wholesale
Always pair it with 'Kouri' in your mind to remember the contrast.
Tonya Idiom
Use 'Tonya ga orosanai' when a plan fails unexpectedly.
Bulk Boxes
Associate the word with pallets and forklifts.
Economic News
Look for the characters 卸売 in the business section of newspapers.
Stroke Order
Practice the kanji 卸 carefully as it has many small strokes.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
O-RO-SHI-U-RI: 'Oh, Roll (O-Ro) the Ship (Shi) to Sell (Uri) in bulk!'
Word Origin
Cultural Context
The morning auction (競り) is a high-stakes ritual with its own hand signals.
The first auction of the year (初競り) often sees record-breaking prices for tuna.
Places like Nihonbashi (textiles) and Kappabashi (kitchenware) are historic wholesale hubs.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"卸売市場に行ったことがありますか？ (Have you ever been to a wholesale market?)"
"卸売と小売、どちらの仕事に興味がありますか？ (Are you interested in wholesale or retail work?)"
"最近、卸売物価が上がっていますね。 (Wholesale prices have been rising lately, haven't they?)"
"この商品は卸売で買えますか？ (Can I buy this product at wholesale?)"
"日本の卸売システムについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the Japanese wholesale system?)"
Journal Prompts
Describe a visit to a wholesale market in Japan.
Compare the advantages of wholesale vs. direct sales for a manufacturer.
Write a fictional dialogue between a wholesaler and a retailer.
How does the wholesale industry affect your daily life?
Research the history of 'Tonya' in the Edo period and summarize it.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsGenerally no, as they are for licensed businesses, but some markets have 'public days' or specific retail sections.
Oroshiuri is the modern industry term; Tonya is a traditional term for the merchant.
Because goods are sold in bulk, reducing the per-unit cost of logistics and sales.
It is called a 'Wholesale Club,' but in Japanese conversation, it's often treated as a large retail store.
It's an idiom meaning 'things aren't going as smoothly as planned.'
You say 'Oroshiuri kakaku' or simply 'Oroshine'.
It is an N1 level kanji, but the word is common in business.
An intermediate wholesaler who buys at auctions and sells to shops.
No, it can also mean 'grated' (like ginger or radish) or 'downward' (like a wind).
It is consolidating due to 'middleman-cutting,' but remains very large.
Test Yourself 180 questions
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Summary
卸売 (Oroshiuri) is the essential 'middleman' of the economy, ensuring goods flow from factories to shops through bulk distribution and logistics management.
- Wholesale (卸売) is the B2B sale of goods in bulk quantities.
- It acts as the middle link between manufacturers and retail stores.
- Prices are lower than retail but require high-volume purchases.
- Key locations include central markets like Toyosu in Tokyo.
Kanji Breakdown
Focus on the 'unloading' aspect of the first kanji to remember the meaning.
Toyosu Market
Watch a video of a tuna auction to see 卸売 in action.
B2B Vocabulary
Use this word when discussing supply chains or logistics.
Compound Words
Learn it as part of 'Oroshiuri-gyosha' for maximum utility.
Example
卸売価格です。
Related Content
More Business words
倒産
A1The failure of a business or company when it cannot pay its debts and is forced to close down. It specifically refers to corporate insolvency rather than individual financial failure.
好況
A1A state of economic prosperity or a period where business conditions are favorable. It is used to describe a 'boom' where trade is active, consumption is high, and employment is stable.
経営
A1Management or administration of a business, shop, or organization. It refers to the strategic planning and day-to-day operation required to keep a business running successfully.
会社
A1A company, corporation, or business enterprise where people work to provide products or services. In a broader sense, it refers to the physical office or the organization itself.
競争
A1Kyousou refers to the act of competing or vying with others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority. It is a versatile term used in sports, business, and academics to describe both structured contests and general rivalry.
信用
A1The act of trusting or relying on someone's character, abilities, or financial standing. It often implies a track record of reliability that allows others to believe in future actions or payments.
納品
A1The act of delivering goods or products to a client or customer as part of a business transaction. It specifically refers to handing over completed items that were previously ordered.
流通
A1The process by which goods, services, or money move from producers to consumers within an economy. It also refers to the circulation of information or currency throughout a society.
景気
A1Refers to the state of the economy or business conditions, describing whether the market is active or sluggish. It can also describe the overall energy or liveliness of a specific place or situation.
雇用
A1Koyō refers to the formal act of employing or hiring a person to perform work in exchange for payment. It describes the legal or professional relationship between an employer and an employee.
