Essential Chinese for Shopping in China: A Practical Guide

Shopping in China can be an exciting and rewarding experience, offering everything from bustling street markets to modern shopping malls. However, knowing a few key Chinese phrases can transform a potentially confusing outing into a smooth and enjoyable adventure. Whether you’re bargaining at a market stall or making a purchase in a high-end store, clear communication is essential. This guide covers the fundamental expressions you’ll need to navigate Chinese shops confidently.

Getting Started: Greeting and Browsing

When you enter a shop, a simple greeting is often appreciated.

• 你好。(Nǐ hǎo.) – “Hello.” (A universal and polite start)
• The shopkeeper might respond with 要看什么？(Yào kàn shénme?) – “What are you looking for?” or 需要帮助吗？(Xūyào bāngzhù ma?) – “Do you need help?”

As you browse, you might want to pick up an item to examine it. Simply handling items is generally acceptable, but asking politely never hurts:

• 我可以看看吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ kàn kan ma?) – “Can I have a look?”

Asking About Price and Details

One of the most crucial skills is asking for the price and understanding product details.

• 这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – “How much is this?” (The most common way to ask for price)
• 有大一点的吗？(Yǒu dà yīdiǎn de ma?) – “Do you have a bigger one?”
• 这是什么材料做的？(Zhè shì shénme cáiliào zuò de?) – “What material is this made of?”
• 有别的颜色吗？(Yǒu biéde yánsè ma?) – “Do you have other colors?”

Negotiating the Price (Bargaining)

Bargaining, or 砍价 (kǎnjià), is a common and expected practice in many markets, street vendors, and smaller shops, though less so in large department stores or branded outlets.

1. Propose a Lower Price: After hearing the initial price, you can counter-offer.
   • 太贵了。(Tài guì le.) – “It’s too expensive.”
   • 便宜点吧。(Piányi diǎn ba.) – “Can you make it cheaper?”
   • 可以打折吗？(Kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?) – “Can you give a discount?”
   • XX块可以吗？(XX kuài kěyǐ ma?) – “Can you do XX yuan?” (Substitute XX with your offer)
2. Justify Your Offer: Sometimes, giving a reason helps.
   • 我买两个。(Wǒ mǎi liǎng gè.) – “I’ll buy two.”
   • 我朋友上次买是XX块。(Wǒ péngyǒu shàngcì mǎi shì XX kuài.) – “My friend bought it for XX yuan last time.” (Use cautiously)
   • 别的地方更便宜。(Biéde dìfang gèng piányi.) – “It’s cheaper elsewhere.”
3. Responding to Counter-Offers: The vendor might counter your offer.
   • 不行，最低XX块。(Bùxíng, zuìdī XX kuài.) – “No, the lowest is XX yuan.”
   • 好吧，就XX块。(Hǎo ba, jiù XX kuài.) – “Okay, XX yuan then.” (If you accept)

Remember, bargaining is a friendly negotiation. Smile, be polite, and don’t be afraid to walk away if you can’t agree on a price. Often, the vendor might call you back with a better offer.

Making the Purchase and Payment

Once you’ve agreed on a price, it’s time to buy.

• 我要了。(Wǒ yào le.) – “I’ll take it.”
• 我要这个和这个。(Wǒ yào zhè ge hé zhè ge.) – “I want this and this.”
• 刷卡可以吗？(Shuākǎ kěyǐ ma?) – “Can I pay by card?” (Look for the card symbol on the machine)
• 可以微信/支付宝吗？(Kěyǐ Wēixìn / Zhīfùbǎo ma?) – “Can I pay with WeChat Pay / Alipay?” (Extremely common)
• 我没有零钱。(Wǒ méiyǒu língqián.) – “I don’t have change.”

After the Sale: Receipts and Thanks

It’s good practice to check your purchase and receive a receipt, especially for electronics or significant items.

• 有发票吗？(Yǒu fāpiào ma?) – “Do you have a receipt/invoice?”
• 谢谢，再见。(Xièxiè, zàijiàn.) – “Thank you, goodbye.”

Cultural Tips for Shopping in China

• Politeness Goes a Long Way: Using please (请 – qǐng) and thank you (谢谢 – xièxiè) makes interactions smoother.
• Know Where to Bargain: Expect bargaining at markets, small shops, and street vendors. Don’t attempt it at fixed-price stores unless invited.
• Small Change: Having smaller denominations of RMB is helpful for market shopping.
• Cash vs. Digital: While digital payments dominate, carrying some cash is still useful, especially for small vendors or taxis.

Mastering these basic phrases empowers you to shop confidently across China. Practice makes perfect, and using these expressions will enhance your shopping experience significantly. For more practical guides on using Chinese in daily life scenarios, explore our Chinese Knowledge Hub . Engaging in real-world practice, such as conversation sessions, can further solidify your understanding and fluency in these essential interactions.