Understanding "出卖" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 出卖
• Pinyin: chūmài
• Literal Meaning: “to sell out” or “to sell away”
• Primary Meaning: To sell something; more commonly, to betray someone or something for personal benefit.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  出卖 has two main meanings in Chinese:

1. To sell something
   This meaning is more literal, referring to selling goods, property, or possessions. However, in modern everyday Chinese, people often use 卖 instead of 出卖 for ordinary selling. For example, “sell a car” is usually 卖车, not necessarily 出卖车.

2. To betray / to sell out
   This is the more common and important meaning for learners. 出卖 is often used when someone betrays another person, a group, a country, a secret, or a principle in exchange for money, power, safety, or personal advantage.

   It can be translated as:
   - “to betray”
   - “to sell out”
   - “to inform on”
   - “to give someone away”

   For example, if someone reveals a friend’s secret to gain benefits, you can say they 出卖朋友 — “betrayed a friend.”

Nuance:
出卖 usually has a negative emotional tone. It suggests disloyalty, selfishness, or moral failure. It is stronger than simply “tell” or “reveal.” If you say someone 出卖 another person, you are accusing them of serious betrayal.

• Character Breakdown:
  出卖 is made of two characters:

• 出: to go out; to come out; out

• 卖: to sell

Together, 出卖 literally means “to sell out.” This literal idea connects strongly to the figurative meaning: selling someone’s trust, secrets, or loyalty for personal gain.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他为了钱出卖了自己的朋友。
• Pinyin: Tā wèile qián chūmài le zìjǐ de péngyou.

• English: He betrayed his friend for money.

• Chinese: 她没有出卖公司的秘密。

• Pinyin: Tā méiyǒu chūmài gōngsī de mìmì.

• English: She did not betray the company’s secrets.

• Chinese: 我永远不会出卖你。

• Pinyin: Wǒ yǒngyuǎn bú huì chūmài nǐ.
• English: I will never betray you.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese, loyalty and trust are very important values in personal relationships, family, friendships, business, and politics. Because of this, 出卖 is a serious accusation. Calling someone a person who 出卖朋友 or 出卖国家 means they have committed a deep moral wrong.

A common phrase is:

• 出卖灵魂
• chūmài línghún
• “to sell one’s soul”

This is similar to the English expression and means giving up one’s morals, beliefs, or dignity for money, power, or success.

Another common phrase is:

• 出卖朋友
• chūmài péngyou
• “to betray a friend”

This phrase is often used in stories, dramas, movies, and real-life situations involving trust and loyalty.

Conclusion

出卖 means “to sell” in a literal sense, but it is most commonly used to mean “to betray” or “to sell out.” Remember that it usually carries a strong negative feeling. If someone 出卖 another person, they break trust for selfish reasons. A useful way to remember it is: 出 means “out,” and 卖 means “sell,” so 出卖 means “to sell out” — either literally or morally.