Meaning and Usage
The word "発売" (はつばい) refers to the act of releasing or selling a product, especially new items like electronics, games, or books. It is commonly used in business and consumer contexts to indicate when something becomes available for purchase.
Common Contexts
- Announcing product launches: "新製品が発売される" (A new product will be released).
- Talking about release dates: "発売日" (release date).
- Discussing sales events or availability.
Collocations and Patterns
- 発売日 (はつばいび): release date
- 発売開始 (はつばいかいし): start of sales
- 全国発売 (ぜんこくはつばい): nationwide release
- 予約発売 (よやくはつばい): pre-order release
These collocations are frequently used in marketing and media announcements.
Register and Nuance
"発売" is a neutral, formal noun often seen in written announcements, advertisements, and news. It is not casual conversation vocabulary but is essential for discussing product availability.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "発売" with "販売" (はんばい), which also means "sale" but focuses more on the act of selling or distribution rather than the initial release. Use "発売" when emphasizing the launch or first availability of a product.