Situations · 16 phrases · 3 min read
Chinese for shopping
Shopping in China ranges from fixed-price malls to markets where the first number is an opening bid. This page covers both, and says which phrase belongs where.
Looking
我看看wǒ kànkanI'm just lookingDoubling a verb softens it: just have a look.
有别的颜色吗？yǒu bié de yánsè ma?do you have other colours?
有大一点儿的吗？yǒu dà yìdiǎnr de ma?is there a bigger one?
可以试试吗？kěyǐ shìshi ma?can I try it on?
The price
这个多少钱？zhège duōshao qián?how much is this one?
太贵了tài guì lethat's too expensive
便宜一点儿吧piányi yìdiǎnr baa bit cheaper?
最低多少？zuì dī duōshao?what's your lowest price?
Deciding
我要这个wǒ yào zhègeI'll take this
我不要了wǒ bú yào leI don't want it after all
我再看看wǒ zài kànkanI'll look around first
可以退吗？kěyǐ tuì ma?can I return it?
Paying
可以扫码吗？kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma?can I scan to pay?
可以刷卡吗？kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma?can I pay by card?
给我一个袋子gěi wǒ yí gè dàizia bag, please
不用袋子búyòng dàizino bag, thanks
What nobody tells you
Bargain where the price is not written
Markets and tourist stalls expect it. Shops with printed price tags, supermarkets and chains do not, and haggling there will only confuse people.
我再看看 is the polite exit
Saying you will look around first ends a negotiation without offence, and it is often the moment the price comes down.