卸す

おろす

to sell wholesale, grated (vegetables)

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 卸す (おろす) primarily means "to sell wholesale" or "to supply goods in bulk to retailers or markets." It is commonly used in business contexts involving distribution chains. Another distinct meaning is "to grate" or "to shred" vegetables or fruits, such as daikon radish, which is a common culinary usage.

Common Collocations

  • 卸す + 商品/野菜/果物: to wholesale products, vegetables, or fruits
  • 市場に卸す: to sell wholesale to the market
  • 小売店に卸す: to supply to retail stores
  • 大根を卸す: to grate daikon radish

Register and Nuance

When used in the wholesale sense, 卸す is a neutral to formal business term. In cooking, it is a standard verb used in everyday language. Learners should note the context to distinguish between the commercial and culinary meanings.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 卸す (おろす) with 下ろす (also おろす), which can mean "to take down," "to withdraw money," or "to lower." The kanji and context clarify the meaning. Pay attention to the kanji used and the sentence context to avoid misunderstanding.

Example Sentences

このかいしゃはやさいをいちばにおろしています。

This company sells vegetables wholesale to the market.

だいこんをこまかくおろしてサラダにつかいます。

I grate the radish finely and use it in the salad.

あたらしいしょうひんをこうりてんにおろすよていです。

We plan to wholesale the new products to retail stores.