Translation and Meaning of: 売り切れる - urikireru

If you've ever tried to buy something online in Japan and came across the notice of 売り切れる (うりきれる), you know the frustration of finding a sold-out product. But this word goes beyond the simple "gone" — it carries cultural nuances and an interesting linguistic structure worth exploring. In this article, you will discover the etymology behind the kanji, how the term is used in everyday Japanese, and even tips for memorizing it effectively, perfect for adding to your Anki deck. And if you've ever wondered why the Japanese have a specific word for "to completely sell out," the answer lies in their unique relationship with commerce and scarcity.

Etymology and Pictogram: What Does the Kanji Hide?

The verb 売り切れる is composed of two kanji: 売 (うり), which means "to sell", and 切れる (きれる), which here takes on the meaning of "to run out" or "to cut off". Together, they paint the literal image of something that has been sold until nothing is left — like scissors cutting through the last available item. Interestingly, 切れる also appears in words like 時間切れ (じかんぎれ), "time expired", reinforcing this idea of a limit being reached.

The shape of the kanji 売 refers to a sales counter (貝, shell, an ancient symbol of money) with something being offered above. Meanwhile, 切 shows a knife (刀) near a piece of wood (七), almost like a warning: "when it's gone, it's gone." It's no surprise that stores in Japan use signs with 売り切れ in red — the color of urgency — to signal that there is no more of that coveted item available for purchase.

Everyday Lies: More Than a Shop Warning

While in Portuguese we say "sold out" in a generic way, the Japanese use 売り切れる with an emotional weight. In convenience stores, it is common to see 売り切れ御免 (うりきれごめん), an almost ceremonial apology for the inconvenience. And don't be mistaken: this term even appears in unexpected contexts, such as ticket announcements for Arashi shows or console releases, where the word becomes almost a trophy — "if it's sold out, it's because it was good."

A tip for memorization? Associate the scene of a bentō being the last one on the shelf at the kombini at 8 PM. The employee turns the sign 売り切れ, and you are left with your stomach growling. This concrete image helps to fix the term better than any rote memorization. And be aware: unlike the informal English "sold out," in Japanese this word maintains a neutral tone — you can use it both at the bakery and in a corporate email.

Cultural Curiosities: Why do Japanese People Hate 売り切れ?

In Japan, where efficiency is almost a religion, seeing 売り切れ on a menu or shopping site is more than frustrating — it's a system failure. Stores like Don Quijote even have staff restocking products in real-time to avoid the notice. And there's more: during events like White Day, specific chocolates 売り切れる within hours, creating a race worthy of Black Friday. Anyone who has seen a line of salarymen waiting for the release of the latest iPhone understands the drama.

For Japanese learners, here’s a tip: when you hear うりきれました (urikiremashita) in a store, it's time to move to plan B. But stay alert — some online stores use 完売 (かんばい), a more formal synonym, for limited edition items. And if you want to impress, throw in a また入荷しますか？ (mata nyuuka shimasu ka?), asking if there will be a restock. This way, you show that you go beyond the basics and understand the nuances of Japanese consumption.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 売り切れる

• 売り切れる - Positive Form
• 売り切れません - negative form
• 売り切れました - past form
• 売り切れるでしょう conditional form
• 売り切れている - Continuous form
• 売り切れない - potential form

Synonyms and similar words

• 売り切れる (urikiru) - sell out, to be sold out completely
• 売りつくす (uritsukusu) - sell everything, sell out
• 売り尽くす (uritsukusu) - sell until the last one, completely exhaust
• 売り切らす (urikirasu) - make someone run out, cause the complete sale
• 売り切られる (urikirareru) - to be exhausted by someone
• 売りつくされる (uritsukusareru) - to be sold out
• 売り尽くされる (uritsukusareru) - to be sold out, to be completely sold out
• 売り切らせる (urikiraseru) - make someone run out, allow them to run out

売り切れる

Romaji: urikireru
Kana: うりきれる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: sold out

Meaning in English: to be sold out

Definition: The product is out of stock.

Example Sentences - (売り切れる) urikireru

See below some example sentences:

この商品は売り切れてしまいました。

Kono shouhin wa urikirete shimaimashita

This product is sold out.

This product has been exhausted.

• この商品 - This product
• は - Topic particle
• 売り切れてしまいました - Sold out / Sold out completely