Meanings of 賣
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 賣
Podcast: 賣
Podcast: 賣
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 賣
售 (shòu) vs 賣 (mài): Use 賣 (mài) when emphasizing the act of selling in a more casual or informal context, while 售 (shòu) is more formal and often used in official or business settings.
Learners often confuse 賣 with other similar characters like 買 (mǎi), which means 'to buy.' Ensure you remember that 賣 is about selling. The register is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversations.
While 賣 is not part of HSK levels 1-6, it connects with common vocabulary related to commerce and shopping, like 買 (mǎi). Focus on practicing sentences that use both to understand their contrasting meanings.
Learners often confuse 賣 with 買, mistakenly saying '我賣一個蘋果' (I sell an apple) instead of '我買一個蘋果' (I buy an apple). Always check the context to ensure you are using the correct term.
Pronunciation of 賣
Drill the tone of 賣 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 賣
Phonosemantic compound. 出 represents the meaning and 买 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賣.
money
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 賣
Phonosemantic compound. 出 represents the meaning and 买 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賣.
- 1The meaning half貝 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half买 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymoney
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 賣? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 賣?
Decomposition of 賣
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 賣?
How to say to sell; to betray; to show off in Chinese
“to sell; to betray; to show off” in Chinese is賣
The character 賣 (mài) primarily means 'to sell.' It is commonly used in commercial contexts, such as in markets or stores. Additionally, it can imply 'to betray' or 'to show off,' depending on the context, showcasing a nuance that can shift based on usage.
When to use 賣
Learners often confuse 賣 with other similar characters like 買 (mǎi), which means 'to buy.' Ensure you remember that 賣 is about selling. The register is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversations.
賣 or something close to it
售 (shòu) vs 賣 (mài): Use 賣 (mài) when emphasizing the act of selling in a more casual or informal context, while 售 (shòu) is more formal and often used in official or business settings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 賣 with 買, mistakenly saying '我賣一個蘋果' (I sell an apple) instead of '我買一個蘋果' (I buy an apple). Always check the context to ensure you are using the correct term.
Write 賣
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 賣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 賣
Compound Meaning
What does 卖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 賣
You can say '我想賣我的舊書' (I want to sell my old books).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 賣?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.