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March 24, 2026
卖(賣)mài(mai4)
The character 卖 (mài) primarily means 'to sell.' It is commonly used in commercial contexts, such as in shops and markets. Additionally, it can imply showing off or flaunting something, often in a more informal or colloquial setting.
Strokes8Radical十Frequency#448DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of selling goes beyond mere transactions; it often reflects social status. For example, successful vendors at local markets are seen as resourceful and savvy, contributing to community dynamics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a market stall where a vendor is proudly selling (卖) their goods. The character 卖 resembles a person standing next to a stack of items for sale, with the '人' (rén) radical representing the seller's presence.
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AI Study Notes for 卖
Quick Contrast
买 (mǎi) — use 卖 (mài) when referring to selling something, not buying it.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 卖 (mài) with 买 (mǎi), which means 'to buy.' This can lead to misunderstandings in conversations about transactions. 卖 is typically used in informal contexts when discussing sales, while more formal terms might be used in business settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 卖 is essential for students to master basic commerce-related vocabulary. Focus on using it in sentences related to shopping or selling items, and practice common phrases like '我想卖这个' (I want to sell this).
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 卖 (mài) and 买 (mǎi), leading to sentences like '我想买这个' (I want to sell this) instead of the correct '我想卖这个.' Practice distinguishing the two to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 卖
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Phonosemantic compound. 出 represents the meaning and 买 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賣.
1The meaning half买 carries the sense.
2The sound half买 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaybuy
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 卖?
Decomposition of 卖
IDS Structure⿱十买
卖Full Character
=
十shi2
top
买mai3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 卖?
How to say to sell in Chinese
“to sell” in Chinese is卖mài
The character 卖 (mài) primarily means 'to sell.' It is commonly used in commercial contexts, such as in shops and markets. Additionally, it can imply showing off or flaunting something, often in a more informal or colloquial setting.
When to use 卖
Be careful not to confuse 卖 (mài) with 买 (mǎi), which means 'to buy.' This can lead to misunderstandings in conversations about transactions. 卖 is typically used in informal contexts when discussing sales, while more formal terms might be used in business settings.
卖 or something close to it
买 (mǎi) — use 卖 (mài) when referring to selling something, not buying it.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 卖 (mài) and 买 (mǎi), leading to sentences like '我想买这个' (I want to sell this) instead of the correct '我想卖这个.' Practice distinguishing the two to avoid confusion.
Write 卖
卖
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Practice writing 卖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 卖
卖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
