Meaning
The kanji 卸 (おろし / シ) broadly covers three main ideas: wholesale, unloading (or taking things down), and dismissing (or discharging). While these meanings might seem unconnected at first, they all share the common thread of 'releasing' or 'transferring' something from its previous state or location.
Etymologically, 卸 is often considered a semantic-phonetic compound, or its components at least hint at its function. The left component, 厂 (gamae), frequently depicts a cliff, shed, or factory, suggesting a specific place or enclosure. The right component, 卩 (fushizukuri), is a radical that can mean a 'seal' or a 'joint.' It sometimes also indicates kneeling or the action of releasing or detaching.
Combining these, one common interpretation envisions goods 'released' or 'taken down' from a 'warehouse' or 'cliff-like structure.' This act of distribution leads to the ideas of 'unloading' and 'wholesaling.' For dismissal, it evokes the image of someone being 'released' from their post or duty. Even actions like filleting fish or grating food fit this pattern, as they involve 'taking apart' or 'reducing' something from its whole state.
This 9-stroke kanji is taught in the 8th grade as part of the Jōyō Kanji list. Mastering it is important for advanced learners and those aiming for the JLPT N1 level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 卸 is relatively uncommon compared to its kun'yomi, typically appearing only in specific formal compounds.
- シ (shi)
This reading is quite rare in everyday Japanese. It's mainly seen in technical or administrative terms related to dismissal or the unloading of responsibilities.
- 卸任 (shinin) — dismissal from office, resignation (often forced). This term refers to the act of being relieved of one's duties or stepping down from a position.
- 解卸 (kaishi) — (rare) to unload, to untie, to release. This compound suggests the broader concept of unfastening or relieving something.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are much more common and crucial for understanding 卸 in modern Japanese, especially in its various verb forms and as a noun.
- おろ-す (orosu)
This is a transitive verb with several important meanings:
To wholesale, to sell off: 商品を卸す (shōhin o orosu) — to wholesale goods (e.g., あの店は新鮮な野菜を市場から直接卸しています。 (That store directly wholesales fresh vegetables from the market.)
To take down, to unload: 荷物を卸す (nimotsu o orosu) — to unload baggage; 棚から品物を卸す (tana kara shinamono o orosu) — to take goods down from a shelf.
To dismiss, to discharge: 役職を卸す (yakushoku o orosu) — to dismiss someone from a post (e.g., 社長は不祥事の責任を取り、彼を役職から卸した。 (The president took responsibility for the scandal and dismissed him from his post.)
To fillet (fish): 魚を卸す (sakana o orosu) — to fillet a fish.
To grate (food): 大根を卸す (daikon o orosu) — to grate daikon radish.
おろ-し (oroshi)
This reading typically functions as a noun or as part of a compound noun, often referring to the wholesale business itself or grated food.
- 卸売 (oroshiuri) — wholesale. This is one of the most common and important compounds.
- 大根おろし (daikon oroshi) — grated daikon radish. A popular condiment often served with fried foods like tempura.
- 卸値 (oroshine) — wholesale price.
- おろし金 (oroshigane) — a grater.
Common Words & Compounds
Learning the common compounds of 卸 significantly enhances understanding, as they cover diverse contexts from commerce to daily activities.
Business and Commerce:
卸売 (oroshiuri) — wholesale. This is the most fundamental compound for the kanji's commercial meaning.
卸売業 (oroshiuri gyō) — wholesale business/industry.
卸業者 (oroshigyōsha) — wholesaler. A company or person involved in wholesale trade.
卸売市場 (oroshiuri ichiba) — wholesale market. A central place where goods are sold in bulk.
卸値 (oroshine) — wholesale price. The price at which goods are sold in bulk to retailers.
元を卸す (moto o orosu) — to sell off (stock) at a discount; to divest.
Actions and Processes:
荷物を卸す (nimotsu o orosu) — to unload baggage/cargo. A common phrase used when delivering or receiving goods.
魚を卸す (sakana o orosu) — to fillet fish. This is a specific culinary application of 'taking apart.'
大根を卸す (daikon o orosu) — to grate daikon radish. Another culinary use for breaking down food.
棚から品物を卸す (tana kara shinamono o orosu) — to take goods down from a shelf.
Dismissal and Removal:
職を卸す (shoku o orosu) — to resign from a post (often implies being removed or forced out).
責任を卸す (sekinin o orosu) — to shed responsibility, to be relieved of a duty.
Example Sentences
彼は新しい卸売の担当者になった。
Kare wa atarashii oroshiuri no tantōsha ni natta.
He became the new person in charge of wholesale operations.
船が港に着き、荷物を卸し始めた。
Fune ga minato ni tsuki, nimotsu o oroshi hajimeta.
The ship arrived at the port and began to unload its cargo.
居酒屋では、新鮮な魚をその場で卸して刺身にする。
Izakaya de wa, shinsen na sakana o sono ba de oroshite sashimi ni suru.
At the izakaya, fresh fish is filleted on the spot to make sashimi.
風邪をひいたので、大根を卸して味噌汁に入れた。
Kaze o hiita node, daikon o oroshite misoshiru ni ireta.
Because I caught a cold, I grated daikon radish and put it in miso soup.
この製品は、製造元から直接卸て販売されています。
Kono seihin wa, seizōmoto kara chokusetsu oroshite hanbai sareteimasu.
This product is sold directly from the manufacturer at a wholesale price.
その政治家は国民の信頼を失い、ついに職を卸された。
Sono seijika wa kokumin no shinrai o ushinai, tsui ni shoku o orosareta.
That politician lost the public's trust and was finally dismissed from office.
スーパーマーケットでは、毎日新鮮な野菜が卸売市場から届く。
Sūpāmāketto de wa, mainichi shinsen na yasai ga oroshiuri ichiba kara todoku.
At the supermarket, fresh vegetables arrive daily from the wholesale market.
トラブルを避けるため、彼は早めに責任を卸した。
Toraburu o sakeru tame, kare wa hayame ni sekinin o oroshita.
To avoid trouble, he shed his responsibilities early.
Memory Tip
To remember 卸, visualize its components. The left part, 厂 (gamae), looks like a cliff, factory, or shed. The right part, 卩 (fushizukuri), can represent a kneeling person, or more abstractly, a broken joint or seal, signifying release.
Picture a merchant in a shed (厂) or a warehouse carved into a cliff (厂). They are carefully unloading (卩 – letting down, releasing) large quantities of goods for wholesale. You might even imagine them kneeling to inspect the goods as they are taken down. This image—whether of goods taken from storage for sale, or a person 'let down' from their post—connects the meanings of 'wholesale,' 'unload,' and 'dismiss.'