Chinese Words for Shopping: 12 Useful Phrases

Why Learning Shopping Words is Important

Shopping is one of the most common activities you’ll do as an expat in China, and knowing the right words can make the experience smooth, enjoyable, and even fun. From markets to malls, knowing how to ask for prices, sizes, and payment methods will help you feel confident and independent.

Learning shopping-related words not only expands your vocabulary but also improves your ability to interact in everyday life.

Using Chinese words for shopping helps you understand signs, read product labels, and communicate with shopkeepers. When you can ask for discounts or sizes in Chinese, it also shows respect for the local culture and people appreciate the effort. Let’s explore 12 essential phrases and words that every expat should know.

1. 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) – How much?

This is the most essential question when shopping. You can use it anywhere to ask the price.

这件衣服多少钱？
Zhè jiàn yī fú duō shǎo qián?
How much is this piece of clothing?

水果多少钱一斤？
Shuǐ guǒ duō shǎo qián yì jīn?
How much is a jin of fruit?

2. 太贵了 (tài guì le) – Too expensive

This phrase is helpful for negotiating or expressing your concern about price.

这个包太贵了，我买不起。
Zhè gè bāo tài guì le, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.
This bag is too expensive; I can’t afford it.

你能便宜一点吗？太贵了。
Nǐ néng pián yi yì diǎn ma? Tài guì le.
Can you make it cheaper? It’s too expensive.

3. 可以便宜一点吗 (kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma) – Can it be cheaper?

Polite bargaining is common in many Chinese markets. Using this phrase shows you are engaging respectfully.

这双鞋可以便宜一点吗？
Zhè shuāng xié kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma?
Can these shoes be cheaper?

菜市场的商贩常常会回答你的问题。
Cài shì chǎng de shāng fàn cháng cháng huì huí dá nǐ de wèn tí.
Vendors in the market often answer your question.

4. 我想买 (wǒ xiǎng mǎi) – I want to buy

A simple phrase to indicate your intention to purchase.

我想买这个包。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè gè bāo.
I want to buy this bag.

我想买两斤苹果。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng jīn píng guǒ.
I want to buy two jin of apples.

5. 有别的颜色吗 (yǒu bié de yán sè ma) – Do you have other colors?

Useful when choosing clothing, shoes, or accessories.

这件衣服有别的颜色吗？
Zhè jiàn yī fú yǒu bié de yán sè ma?
Does this piece of clothing come in other colors?

我喜欢红色的，但是你有蓝色的吗？
Wǒ xǐ huān hóng sè de, dàn shì nǐ yǒu lán sè de ma?
I like red, but do you have it in blue?

6. 有更大/小号吗 (yǒu gèng dà/xiǎo hào ma) – Do you have a bigger/smaller size?

Clothing and shoes often come in different sizes. This phrase helps you find the right fit.

这件衣服有更大号吗？
Zhè jiàn yī fú yǒu gèng dà hào ma?
Do you have a bigger size for this clothing?

鞋子太小了，有更大号吗？
Xié zi tài xiǎo le, yǒu gèng dà hào ma?
The shoes are too small, do you have a bigger size?

7. 可以刷卡吗 (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma) – Can I pay by card?

Cashless payment is very common in China. Knowing this phrase ensures you can pay conveniently.

我可以买东西，可以刷卡吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ mǎi dōng xi, kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma?
I want to buy something. Can I pay by card?

大部分商店都可以刷卡，但小摊可能只收现金。
Dà bù fèn shāng diàn dōu kě yǐ shuā kǎ, dàn xiǎo tān kě néng zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn.
Most stores accept card payments, but small stalls may only take cash.

8. 我看看 (wǒ kàn kàn) – I’ll take a look

Polite way to indicate you are browsing.

我只是看看，不买。
Wǒ zhǐ shì kàn kàn, bù mǎi.
I’m just looking, not buying.

服务员不会生气，这是常用的表达。
Fú wù yuán bù huì shēng qì, zhè shì cháng yòng de biǎo dá.
Salespeople won’t be upset; this is a common expression.

9. 打折 (dǎ zhé) – Discount / On sale

A word you’ll often hear in shops and malls.

这件衣服在打折吗？
Zhè jiàn yī fú zài dǎ zhé ma?
Is this piece of clothing on sale?

黑色星期五，很多商品都打折。
Hēi sè xīng qī wǔ, hěn duō shāng pǐn dōu dǎ zhé.
On Black Friday, many items are discounted.

10. 收据 (shōu jù) – Receipt

Always useful for keeping proof of purchase.

我可以要收据吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ yào shōu jù ma?
Can I have a receipt?

商店通常会问你要不要收据。
Shāng diàn tōng cháng huì wèn nǐ yào bù yào shōu jù.
Stores usually ask if you want a receipt.

11. 试穿 (shì chuān) – Try on (clothes/shoes)

Essential when shopping for clothing to ensure a proper fit.

我可以试穿这件衣服吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ shì chuān zhè jiàn yī fú ma?
Can I try on this piece of clothing?

试穿的时候注意镜子和尺码。
Shì chuān de shí hou zhù yì jìng zi hé chǐ mǎ.
When trying on, pay attention to the mirror and size.

12. 太小了 / 太大了 (tài xiǎo le / tài dà le) – Too small / too big

Helps you communicate clearly about size issues.

这件衣服太小了，我需要更大号。
Zhè jiàn yī fú tài xiǎo le, wǒ xū yào gèng dà hào.
This piece of clothing is too small; I need a bigger size.

鞋子太大了，有小号吗？
Xié zi tài dà le, yǒu xiǎo hào ma?
The shoes are too big; do you have a smaller size?

Practice with a Shopping Dialogue

Here’s a short conversation putting these phrases together.

顾客: 这件衣服多少钱？
Gù kè: Zhè jiàn yī fú duō shǎo qián?
Customer: How much is this clothing?

店员: 200元。
Diàn yuán: 200 yuán.
Shop assistant: 200 yuan.

顾客: 太贵了，可以便宜一点吗？
Gù kè: Tài guì le, kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma?
Customer: Too expensive. Can it be cheaper?

店员: 好吧，180元。
Diàn yuán: Hǎo ba, 180 yuán.
Shop assistant: Okay, 180 yuan.

顾客: 我想买这件衣服，我可以刷卡吗？
Gù kè: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè jiàn yī fú, wǒ kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma?
Customer: I want to buy this. Can I pay by card?

店员: 可以。
Diàn yuán: Kě yǐ.
Shop assistant: Yes.

Vocabulary

1. 多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) – How much
2. 太贵了 (tài guì le) – Too expensive
3. 可以便宜一点吗 (kě yǐ pián yí yì diǎn ma) – Can it be cheaper
4. 我想买 (wǒ xiǎng mǎi) – I want to buy
5. 有别的颜色吗 (yǒu bié de yán sè ma) – Do you have other colors
6. 有更大/小号吗 (yǒu gèng dà/xiǎo hào ma) – Do you have bigger/smaller size
7. 可以刷卡吗 (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma) – Can I pay by card
8. 我看看 (wǒ kàn kàn) – I’ll take a look
9. 打折 (dǎ zhé) – Discount / On sale
10. 收据 (shōu jù) – Receipt
11. 试穿 (shì chuān) – Try on
12. 太小了 / 太大了 (tài xiǎo le / tài dà le) – Too small / too big