Shinagire is a Japanese word that means out of stock. You might see the words in retail stores, or on online marketplaces to indicate that an item is sold-out and not in stock.

Just as in other parts of the world, when popular items are first released in Japan, stores can be out of stock for weeks if not months. For example, when new iPhones are released, they are often sold out everywhere for the first few weeks. An item that has been out of stock for months recently is the newly released Nintendo Switch gaming console.

Another Japanese term that is also often used to mean sold-out is “urikire”. These terms are often used interchangeably. Another useful phrase if you want to ask whether or not something is in stock is “Sumimasen, zaiko arimasuka?”, or “Excuse me, is this in stock?”.

Let’s remember the following useful sentences before going to Japan!

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●Sugoku ninki de hatsubai saretara, sugu shinagire ni narimashita.
(すごく人気で発売されたら、すぐ品切になりました。)
> Due to its popularity, as soon as it went on sale, it was out of stock.

●Iroiro na mise sagashite mimashita kedo, zenbu shinagire deshita.
(いろいろな店探してみましたけど、全部しなぎれでした。)
> I tried looking for it at various stores, but it was sold-out everywhere.

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Now all that’s left is to go out there and try using them in Japan!

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Uminoie (海の家) Fun! Japan Words vol.153