下取り

したどり

trade in, part exchange

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

「下取り」(したどり) refers to the practice of trading in an old item, usually a vehicle or electronic device, when purchasing a new one. The old item is given to the seller and its value is deducted from the price of the new purchase.

Common Contexts

This term is often used in contexts like buying cars, smartphones, or appliances. It is a common way to reduce the cost of a new purchase by leveraging the value of an old item.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 下取りに出す: to trade in an item
  • 下取り価格: trade-in price
  • 下取りサービス: trade-in service

These phrases are frequently used in advertisements or negotiations when buying new products.

Register and Nuance

The term is neutral and commonly used in both casual and formal contexts related to sales and commerce. It implies a practical transaction rather than a gift or donation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 下取り with 買取 (かいとり), which means buying something outright without exchanging it. 下取り always involves exchanging an old item as part of the deal.

Example Sentences

あたらしいくるまをかうとき、ふるいくるまをしたどりにだしました。

When I bought a new car, I traded in my old car.

このみせではすまほのしたどりさーびすをおこなっています。

This store offers a trade-in service for smartphones.

したどりかかくがおもったよりたかくてたすかりました。

The trade-in price was higher than I expected, which was helpful.