出卖
chūmài · HSK 7
sell out
🗡️💰 出 (out) + 卖 (sell) = sell OUT, betray for profit
The character 出 means 'out' and 卖 means 'sell.' Together they literally mean 'sell out' — to betray someone, often for money. Think of handing over secrets or allies in exchange for payment.
出 — foot 止 emerging from enclosure 凵
出 is a pictograph showing a foot or plant stepping out of a hollow or enclosure, depicting the act of going forth. The original sense of 'coming out' or 'emerging' has remained stable since oracle bone script. It now broadly means 'to exit, go out, or produce.'
卖 — top 十 + 买 (buy) below
卖 means 'to sell' and is the simplified form of 賣. Historically it pairs 出 (out) over 買 (buy), suggesting goods going out in exchange — the opposite of buying. The simplified shape keeps 买 (buy) underneath with 十 on top as a reduced marker.