Meaning and Usage
The word 出卖 (chūmài) primarily means "to sell" or "to offer for sale." It is commonly used when referring to selling goods, property, or items. However, it also carries a strong figurative meaning of "betrayal" or "to sell out" someone, such as betraying a friend or country.
Common Collocations
- 出卖秘密 (chūmài mìmì): to betray a secret
- 出卖朋友 (chūmài péngyǒu): to betray a friend
- 出卖国家 (chūmài guójiā): to betray one's country
These collocations emphasize the figurative use of 出卖 as betrayal.
Usage Notes
When used in the literal sense, 出卖 is neutral and simply means selling something. In the figurative sense, it has a negative connotation implying disloyalty or treachery. Be careful not to confuse 出卖 with 卖 (mài), which only means "to sell" without the betrayal nuance.
Register and Tone
出卖 is a formal word suitable for written and spoken Chinese. The betrayal sense is often used in serious contexts such as politics, personal relationships, or historical narratives.