Quick answer
Start with 多少钱？
多少钱？(duōshao qián?) asks “How much does it cost?” For one item, say 这个多少钱？ At the end, 一共多少钱？ asks for the total. In speech, 块 (kuài) is common for yuan and 元 (yuán) is standard in written prices; the local currency changes by country and region.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Use it when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 多少钱？ | duōshao qián? | How much is it? | Asking a single price; add 这个 or the item name for clarity. |
| 这个多少钱？ | zhège duōshao qián? | How much is this one? | Pointing to or holding one item. |
| 一共多少钱？ | yígòng duōshao qián? | How much altogether? | At the checkout for several items. |
| 可以便宜一点吗？ | kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma? | Could it be a little cheaper? | Markets or informal negotiation; not guaranteed to work. |
| 太贵了。 | tài guì le. | That’s too expensive. | A direct reaction; tone and setting matter. |
| 我再看看。 | wǒ zài kànkan. | I’ll look around a bit more. | A polite way to pause or leave without buying. |
Prices and money words
For ordinary spoken prices, 块 is extremely common: 三块钱 is three yuan, 十块 is ten yuan, and 三块五 is 3.50 yuan. 元 is the standard written unit and appears on signs, receipts and formal prices. 角 (jiǎo) and 毛 (máo) are smaller units of a yuan; 分 (fēn) is smaller still. Usage varies by region, and the actual currency may be yuan, New Taiwan dollars, Hong Kong dollars or another local currency, so a phrase list should not silently turn every price into renminbi.
For larger amounts, use the number system you already know: 一百块, 两百块 or 一百元. Do not confuse 两 and 二 in prices. 两块钱 is natural for two yuan, while 二十块 is twenty yuan. When giving a total, repeat the numeral and unit clearly: 一共三十五块.
Asking about size, colour and options
Useful shopping vocabulary includes 大小 (size), 尺码 (clothing or shoe size), 颜色 (colour), 小号 (small), 中号 (medium), 大号 (large), 试穿 (try on) and 试衣间 (fitting room). A question such as 有没有大一点的？ means “Do you have a larger one?” 有没有别的颜色？ asks whether there is another colour. If the item is unavailable, 没有 or 没有了 means there is none left.
For clothing, ask 可以试穿吗？ before trying an item on. For shoes, 可以试一下吗？ is a natural request. In some shops you must ask staff for a size or a fitting room rather than taking items directly; the phrase is useful, but the service process still follows local store rules.
Paying
The basic payment question is 可以刷卡吗？ “Can I pay by card?” 可以用现金吗？ asks about cash. 手机支付 is mobile payment, and 扫码 means to scan a code. In Mainland China, mobile payment is widely used, but acceptance varies by shop, city and country. Taiwan, Hong Kong and other Chinese-speaking regions have their own payment habits and currencies. Do not assume that one app or one card works everywhere.
At the checkout, 我要这个 means “I want this one.” 请给我一个袋子 asks for a bag; in some places, bags may cost extra. 可以开发票吗？ asks whether an official invoice or receipt can be issued. 收据 means a receipt in many contexts, but the exact document and tax rules vary by jurisdiction.
Discounts: 打折 and 九折
打折 means to give a discount. The phrase 九折 means you pay 90% of the original price, so it is a 10% discount, not 90% off. 八折 means pay 80%, 七五折 means pay 75%, and 半价 means half price. This Chinese discount notation often expresses the price you pay, so translating it as “10% off” is more accurate than “90% off.”
Do not assume that every shop allows bargaining. Department stores, supermarkets, chain stores and online platforms may have fixed prices. Markets, independent sellers and some service contexts may invite negotiation, but 可以便宜一点吗？ is a request, not an entitlement. If the seller says 不可以, 这是最低价 or 已经打折了, accept the answer or use 我再看看.
Units and quantities
Chinese shopping often requires a measure word between the number and the item. 个 is a common general measure word, but it is not universal. 一件衣服 is one piece of clothing; 一双鞋 is a pair of shoes; 一套 is a set; 一瓶 is a bottle; 一盒 is a box; 一斤 is a traditional Chinese unit of weight. 公斤 is a kilogram and 克 is a gram. Learn the unit with the product rather than inserting 个 everywhere.
In food markets, prices may be quoted per 斤, per 公斤 or per portion. Ask 一斤多少钱？ or 一公斤多少钱？ to avoid comparing different units. If you are buying fruit, vegetables or bulk goods, confirm the final weight and total before paying.
Returns and exchanges
退 means to return or refund; 换 means to exchange. 可以退吗？ asks whether a return is possible, and 可以换吗？ asks about an exchange. A receipt may be called 收据; the rules for returns and refunds depend on the shop, product, condition and local law. Keep the receipt and packaging when you may need to return an item.
Useful phrases include 我想退这个 (I want to return this), 我想换一个 (I want to exchange it for another one) and 这个有问题 (this item has a problem). Do not assume that changing your mind is always covered. Ask before purchasing if the return policy matters to you.
Online shopping vocabulary
Online shopping adds another set of words: 购物车 shopping cart, 下单 place an order, 订单 order, 付款 payment, 发货 ship, 快递 courier delivery, 到货 arrival, 退货 return and 退款 refund. 包邮 means shipping is included; 运费 is shipping cost. 客服 means customer service. These terms appear across platforms, but the buttons and policies differ.
Common mistakes to check
- Translating 九折 as “90% off” instead of paying 90% of the price.
- Using 个 with every product instead of learning the correct measure word.
- Assuming bargaining is welcome in every shop.
- Using 元/块 when the local currency is not yuan.
- Confusing 收据 with an official tax invoice.
- Treating return and refund rules as universal.