Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Shopping-and-Bargaining
◀️ Ordering Food and Drinks — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Transport and Travel ▶️ |
As a Mandarin Chinese language teacher, I always emphasize the importance of learning vocabulary related to daily life, as it helps students communicate better and build more confidence in their language abilities. In this lesson, we will explore shopping and bargaining expressions in Mandarin Chinese, which are especially useful for travelers or those living in China. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use various expressions to ask for prices, bargain, and purchase goods in Mandarin Chinese.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: 酒 jiŭ liquor, wine, spirits & 传(傳) chuán transmit.
Shopping Vocabulary
Before we dive into the bargaining expressions, it's essential to learn some basic shopping vocabulary. Here are some common Mandarin Chinese words and expressions related to shopping:
Mandarin Chinese | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
商店 | Shāngdiàn | Store |
购物 | Gòuwù | Shopping |
商品 | Shāngpǐn | Goods |
物品 | Wùpǐn | Item |
现金 | Xiànjīn | Cash |
银行卡 | Yínháng kǎ | Bank card |
收据 | Shōujù | Receipt |
Bargaining Expressions
Bargaining is a fundamental aspect of Chinese culture, and it's expected in many stores and markets, especially for tourists. Here are some common bargaining expressions in Mandarin Chinese:
Asking for Price
- 请问多少钱? (Qǐngwèn duōshǎo qián?) - "Excuse me, how much is it?"
- 这个多少钱? (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) - "How much is this one?"
Counter Offer
- 太贵了. (Tài guìle.) - "It's too expensive."
- 便宜点儿好吗? (Piányi diǎnr hǎo ma?) - "Can you make it cheaper?"
- 能便宜点儿吗? (Néng piányi diǎnr ma?) - "Can you give me a discount?"
- 可以少一点吗? (Kěyǐ shǎo yīdiǎn ma?) - "Can you lower the price a bit?"
Closing the Deal
- 行, 我买了. (Xíng, wǒ mǎile.) - "Ok, I'll take it."
- 好吧, 我再想想. (Hǎo ba, wǒ zài xiǎng xiǎng.) - "Ok, I'll think about it."
- 我觉得还是太贵了. (Wǒ juédé háishì tài guìle.) - "I still think it's too expensive."
It's important to remember that while bargaining is a common practice in China, it's crucial to be respectful and polite throughout the process. Also, keep in mind that the first price offered is usually much higher than the actual value of the product, so don't be afraid to negotiate and ask for a lower price.
Practice Exercise
Now it's time to practice using the new expressions you've learned. Imagine you're at a street market in China and try to negotiate the following items:
1. A silk scarf priced at 300 yuan (use "Can you make it cheaper?") 2. A jade bracelet priced at 1200 yuan (use "It's too expensive.") 3. A painted fan priced at 50 yuan (use "Can you give me a discount?") 4. A tea set priced at 500 yuan (use "Can you lower the price a bit?")
Sources
Other Lessons
- 茶 chá tea
- The Chinese Bigram
- 色 sè color
- Airport
- Weather
- 利 lì sharp (e.g., a knife); benefit
- Fruits
- 国 guó
- Prices and purchases in Chinese
- 感 găn respond; feel
◀️ Ordering Food and Drinks — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Transport and Travel ▶️ |