贩卖

贩卖 refers to the act of smuggling or trafficking, typically involving illegal goods or people. It is often used in contexts related to crime and illicit trade.

The character 贩 (fàn) originally meant to buy or trade, while 卖 (mài) means to sell. Together, they form a term that emphasizes the act of trading in a way that bypasses legal systems.

While 贩卖 can be used in formal contexts, it is more commonly associated with criminal activities. In daily conversation, it is often used to describe illegal trade operations, such as human trafficking or drug smuggling.