Shopping

1. 多少钱？

   Duō shǎo qián?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask the price of an item

   Grammar Note

   "多少钱" is the simplest way to ask for price. Chinese currency is the yuan (元, RMB).

2. 能便宜一点吗？

   Néng pián yi yī diǎn ma?

   Can you make it a bit cheaper?

   Usage

   Used when negotiating a lower price

   Grammar Note

   "能～吗" asks for possibility. "一点儿" (a little) adds the erhua northern accent. Essential for market bargaining.

3. 我要这个

   Wǒ yào zhè gè

   I will take this one

   Usage

   Used when deciding to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   "要" means "want/will take". "个 (gè)" is the most versatile measure word for objects.

4. 有别的颜色吗？

   Yǒu bié de yán sè ma?

   Do you have other colors?

   Usage

   Used to ask for different color options

   Grammar Note

   "有～吗" checks availability. Swap "颜色" with "尺码 (chǐmǎ)" (size) as needed.

5. 给我收据

   Gěi wǒ shōu jù

   Receipt, please

   Usage

   Used to request a receipt after purchase

   Grammar Note

   "请给我" is a politer version. "发票 (fāpiào)" is an official tax receipt — important for business expenses.

6. 有没有折扣？

   Yǒu méi yǒu zhé kòu?

   Is there a discount?

   Usage

   Used to ask about discounts or sales

   Grammar Note

   "有没有" is an affirmative-negative question meaning "is there or not". "打折 (dǎ zhé)" (discounted) is also used.

7. 太贵了

   Tài guì le

   It's too expensive

   Usage

   Used when the price is too high; also useful in price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "太～了" expresses "too..." with feeling. Often used as an opening for price negotiation.

8. 我只是看看

   Wǒ zhǐ shì kàn kàn

   I'm just looking

   Usage

   Used to tell a shop assistant you are only browsing

   Grammar Note

   Verb reduplication "看看" signals a light/casual action. Useful because Chinese shop staff often approach proactively.

9. 有没有更小的？

   Yǒu méi yǒu gèng xiǎo de?

   Do you have a smaller one?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a smaller size option

   Grammar Note

   "更 (gèng)" intensifies comparatives. Swap "小" for "大 (dà)" for a larger one: "更大的".

10. 可以用信用卡吗？

    Kě yǐ yòng xìn yòng kǎ ma?

    Can I pay by credit card?

    Usage

    Used to ask if credit card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    In China, Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate; mobile payments are more common than cash or credit cards for tourists.

11. 我不需要收据

    Wǒ bù xū yào shōu jù

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining when the cashier asks "xiǎopiào yào ma?" (do you want the slip?)

    Grammar Note

    "Xūyào" (to need) is negated with "bù". A till slip is also called "xiǎopiào"; the official tax invoice used for expenses is "fāpiào".

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