In 15 Seconds
- Used when physical goods are completely sold out due to demand.
- Common in business, news, and everyday shopping conversations.
- Implies the product was popular or 'hot' before disappearing.
Meaning
This phrase is used when a product is so popular that it completely sells out and disappears from the shelves. It implies a sense of high demand or a sudden craze for an item.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking for a new phone at the store
这款手机太火了，到处都脱销了。
This phone is too popular; it's sold out everywhere.
A business manager reporting on sales
由于需求量大，我们的产品已经脱销。
Due to high demand, our products are already out of stock.
Texting a friend about a viral snack
那家店的网红蛋糕居然脱销了，白跑一趟！
That shop's viral cake is actually sold out, I went there for nothing!
Cultural Background
The term reflects China's fast-paced consumer culture and the 'scare buying' phenomenon often seen during product launches or holidays. It gained significant usage during the rise of e-commerce, where items can go from available to zero in seconds. It highlights the collective nature of Chinese shopping trends.
The 'Hot' Factor
Using `脱销` implies the item is popular. If you want to praise a friend's business, tell them: '祝你的产品卖到脱销!' (Wish your products sell out!).
Not for Tickets
Don't use `脱销` for concert or movie tickets. For those, the 'boss level' word is `售罄` (shòuqìng).
In 15 Seconds
- Used when physical goods are completely sold out due to demand.
- Common in business, news, and everyday shopping conversations.
- Implies the product was popular or 'hot' before disappearing.
What It Means
脱销 describes a situation where supply cannot keep up with demand. It literally means a product has 'escaped' the sales cycle because it is gone. Think of it as 'sold out' but with a more dramatic flair. It suggests the item was flying off the shelves. You will see this in news reports or store signs. It is more descriptive than just saying something is 'gone.'
How To Use It
You usually use 脱销 as a verb or a state. You can say a specific product 脱销了. You can also say something is 'selling to the point of being out of stock' by using 卖到脱销. It is very common in business and shopping contexts. Use it when you are disappointed a cool gadget is gone. Or use it to brag that your own product is a hit.
When To Use It
Use it during big shopping festivals like 'Double 11.' Use it when a new iPhone or a viral snack is impossible to find. It fits perfectly in a professional meeting about inventory. It also works when texting a friend about a missed opportunity. If the bakery is empty by 9 AM, their bread has 脱销ed. It sounds more impressive than the basic word 卖完了.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 脱销 for people or services. You cannot say a person is 脱销 if they are busy. For a 'sold out' concert or movie, use 售罄 instead. 脱销 is specifically for physical goods and commodities. Also, do not use it for things that were never for sale. It requires a commercial context to make sense. If you just lost your keys, they are not 脱销!
Cultural Background
In China, the 'herd mentality' or 凑热闹 often leads to products selling out instantly. When a celebrity uses a specific lipstick, it will 脱销 within minutes. This reflects the power of social media and 'KOLs' (Key Opinion Leaders) in Chinese culture. The phrase carries a sense of 'hotness' and 'trendiness.' Being 脱销 is a badge of honor for any brand in the competitive Chinese market.
Common Variations
You might hear 卖断货 which is a more colloquial way to say the same thing. 供不应求 is a formal idiom meaning 'supply falls short of demand.' However, 脱销 remains the standard term for the actual state of being out of stock. In casual chats, people might just say 抢光了 meaning 'everything was grabbed up.' Stick to 脱销 when you want to sound slightly more informed and precise.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. It's perfectly safe for both business reports and casual venting about shopping. Just remember: it's for stuff you can touch, not for seats or services.
The 'Hot' Factor
Using `脱销` implies the item is popular. If you want to praise a friend's business, tell them: '祝你的产品卖到脱销!' (Wish your products sell out!).
Not for Tickets
Don't use `脱销` for concert or movie tickets. For those, the 'boss level' word is `售罄` (shòuqìng).
The Power of 'Hunger Marketing'
In China, brands often intentionally let products `脱销` to create 'Hunger Marketing' (饥饿营销), making the item seem more desirable.
Examples
6这款手机太火了，到处都脱销了。
This phone is too popular; it's sold out everywhere.
A very common way to express frustration at a popular item being gone.
由于需求量大，我们的产品已经脱销。
Due to high demand, our products are already out of stock.
Professional and direct, suitable for a meeting.
那家店的网红蛋糕居然脱销了，白跑一趟！
That shop's viral cake is actually sold out, I went there for nothing!
Uses 'actually' to show surprise at the popularity.
大家都在抢盐，超市的盐都脱销了，难道要吃土吗？
Everyone is grabbing salt; the supermarket is sold out. Are we supposed to eat dirt now?
Uses humor to highlight the absurdity of panic buying.
我等了三个月，结果还是脱销了，太难过了。
I waited for three months, but it's still sold out. I'm so sad.
Shows emotional attachment to the product.
受疫情影响，口罩在短时间内全面脱销。
Affected by the epidemic, masks were completely sold out in a short time.
Standard news phrasing for supply chain issues.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to describe a popular toy that is no longer in the store.
这个玩具最近非常受欢迎，已经在商场___了。
`脱销` is the correct term for being sold out due to popularity.
Complete the sentence to show the product is selling extremely well.
这款新出的口红简直卖到___。
The phrase `卖到脱销` is a common collocation meaning 'selling until out of stock.'
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Sold Out' Expressions
卖完了 (Mài wán le) - Simple 'sold out'.
面包卖完了。
脱销 (Tuōxiāo) - Out of stock due to demand.
产品脱销了。
售罄 (Shòuqìng) - Formal 'sold out' (tickets/real estate).
门票已售罄。
When to use 脱销
New Tech Launch
New iPhones at the Apple Store
Viral Food Trends
The 'it' bakery in town
Holiday Sales
Black Friday or 11.11 deals
Emergency Buying
Flashlights before a storm
Practice Bank
2 exercises这个玩具最近非常受欢迎，已经在商场___了。
`脱销` is the correct term for being sold out due to popularity.
这款新出的口红简直卖到___。
The phrase `卖到脱销` is a common collocation meaning 'selling until out of stock.'
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if a specific dish is so popular it's gone, you can say 这个菜脱销了, though 卖完了 is more common in casual dining.
卖完了 is a basic 'finished selling.' 脱销 sounds more professional and implies it's gone because everyone wanted it.
For a customer, yes (you can't buy it). For a business, it's usually great news because it means high profits and popularity.
Generally no. Digital items don't have 'stock,' so they can't really 脱销 unless there's a limit on license keys.
Absolutely. It's very common when complaining to friends about not being able to buy something popular.
Yes, but specifically 'out of stock due to sales.' If a store just forgot to order more, 缺货 (quēhuò) is more accurate.
No, that would sound like the person was being sold in a shop. Use 很忙 (hěn máng) for busy people.
You can say 快要脱销了 or 即将脱销.
Yes, it is understood, though they might also use 缺货 or 卖光 more frequently in daily life.
There isn't a direct single word, but you could say 滞销 (zhìxiāo), which means goods are not selling and are piling up.
Related Phrases
卖完了 (Sold out/Finished selling)
售罄 (Sold out - formal/tickets)
缺货 (Out of stock/Shortage)
供不应求 (Supply falls short of demand)
抢购一空 (Snapped up/Cleaned out)
