Chinese Shopping Phrases

Asking the price

Every market conversation starts with 这个多少钱. At street stalls the first price is an opening move, not a verdict — smile and counter.

1. 1 这个多少钱？ zhè ge duō shǎo qián — How much is this?
2. 2 太贵了！ tài guì le — Too expensive!
3. 3 能不能便宜点？ néng bu néng pián yi diǎn — Can you make it cheaper?
4. 4 有折扣吗？ yǒu zhé kòu ma — Is there a discount?

Sizes, colors and the fitting room

Clothes shopping in five moves: ask to try it on, find the fitting room, size up, scan the colors, and claim the red one.

1. 5 可以试穿吗？ kě yǐ shì chuān ma — Can I try it on?
2. 6 试衣间在哪里？ shì yī jiān zài nǎ lǐ — Where is the fitting room?
3. 7 有大一点的尺寸吗？ yǒu dà yī diǎn de chǐ cùn ma — Do you have a bigger size?
4. 8 有别的颜色吗？ yǒu bié de yán sè ma — Do you have other colors?
5. 9 我要红色的。 wǒ yào hóng sè de — I want the red one

Paying, receipts and returns

Seal the deal, sort the payment, keep the receipt — and know how to swap it if you change your mind tomorrow.

1. 10 我想买这个。 wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè ge — I want to buy this
2. 11 可以刷卡吗？ kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma — Can I pay by card?
3. 12 只收现金。 zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn — Cash only
4. 13 请给我收据。 qǐng gěi wǒ shōu jù — A receipt, please
5. 14 不用找零了。 bù yòng zhǎo líng le — Keep the change
6. 15 可以换吗？ kě yǐ huàn ma — Can I exchange this?

Where and when to shop

From wet markets to 24-hour convenience stores — plus the door sign and the closing-time question that save you a wasted trip.

1. 16 市场 shì chǎng — Market
2. 17 便利店 biàn lì diàn — Convenience store
3. 18 营业中 yíng yè zhōng — Open for business

   The sign hanging on the shop door — see it and walk in.

4. 19 商店几点关门？ shāng diàn jǐ diǎn guān mén — What time does the store close?
5. 20 卖完了。 mài wán le — Sold out

In real life: haggling at the market