Practical shopping guide

Shopping in Chinese: Prices, Sizes, Payment & Bargaining

Use the core price questions first, then add the vocabulary for size, payment, discounts and returns.

Pinyin gòuwùStart with 多少钱？Best for shops · markets · online orders

Quick answer: 多少钱？ asks a single price and 一共多少钱？ asks for the total. 可以便宜一点吗？ is a request, not a guarantee, and 九折 means paying 90%, not 90% off. Payment and return rules vary by shop and region.

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.

Core shopping questions
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.

Related phrase guides

Chinese numbers 1–100 How much in Chinese Telling time in Chinese Chinese travel phrases How we verify

Bargaining

便宜点, 太贵了: how bargaining actually works

Bargaining — 砍价 (kǎnjià), or the fuller 讨价还价 (tǎojià huánjià) — in China is less about the words than about where you are. Markets, night markets and tourist stalls expect it; malls, supermarkets, convenience stores and chain shops are 明码标价 (clearly priced, fixed) and asking for a discount there is simply odd. Read the setting first, then choose a phrase.

Bargaining phrases from opening to closing
Chinese	Pinyin	English	When to use it
太贵了	tài guì le	too expensive	The standard opening. Softer than it sounds; it invites a counter-offer.
便宜点	piányi diǎn	a bit cheaper	The everyday request; add 吧 for a friendly tone.
可以便宜一点吗？	kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma	could it be a bit cheaper?	The polite version, fine with a stranger.
最低多少钱？	zuìdī duōshao qián	what is your lowest price?	Asks for the floor price; usually the fastest route to a number.
买两个多少钱？	mǎi liǎng ge duōshao qián	how much for two?	Buying more is the strongest argument you have.
我再看看	wǒ zài kànkan	I'll look around a bit more	The walk-away line. Say it while still holding the item.
一口价	yī kǒu jià	fixed price, take it or leave it	What the seller says to end bargaining; respect it and stop.
明码标价	míngmǎ biāojià	prices are marked, no haggling	The sign that tells you bargaining is not expected here.
成交	chéngjiāo	deal, agreed	Closes the sale at the agreed number.

Two rules keep it friendly. First, never name a price you would not actually pay — 成交 is binding in the moment, and walking back after 成交 loses the goodwill you just built. Second, a single counter-offer is normal and two or three is fine, but repeating 便宜点 after the seller says 一口价 reads as pushy rather than clever. If a stall quotes a price far below the market, check the item before 成交 rather than after; everyday Chinese phrases covers the polite phrases that keep a conversation relaxed.

Paying by phone

微信, 支付宝 and 扫码: how payment actually works in China

Almost every payment in mainland China happens by phone. The seller shows a 二维码 (QR code), you scan it with 微信 or 支付宝, type the amount and confirm. Cash is still legal tender and shops must accept it, but small vendors often have no change, so a phone wallet is the practical default.

Payment words you will see and hear
Chinese	Pinyin	English	What happens
扫码	sǎo mǎ	scan the code	The instruction you will hear most often at a counter.
二维码	èrwéimǎ	QR code	Either the seller's or yours, depending on which side scans.
微信支付	Wēixìn zhīfù	WeChat Pay	The wallet built into WeChat; the most widely accepted.
支付宝	Zhīfùbǎo	Alipay	The other major wallet; both accept foreign cards after setup.
收款码	shōukuǎn mǎ	payment code	The seller's code to scan; 付款码 is the code you show to be scanned.
现金	xiànjīn	cash	Accepted by law, but change can be hard to find.
刷卡	shuā kǎ	pay by card	Common in hotels and malls; rare at small vendors.
找零	zhǎo líng	give change	找零 is the verb; 零钱 is the change itself.
零钱	língqián	small change	有没有零钱？ asks whether the seller has change.
小票	xiǎopiào	till receipt	The printed slip; not the same document as 发票.
发票	fāpiào	official invoice	The tax document; asked for at hotels, not usually at markets.

The practical trap for visitors is that a foreign credit card often works in a hotel but not in a noodle shop. Linking an international card inside 支付宝 or 微信支付 before you travel is what turns the phone into a usable wallet; without it, carry some 现金 as a backup. When a seller says 扫码, hold the phone steady over the code, confirm the amount on screen, and check the payee name on the confirmation — the amount you type is the amount that leaves your account.

Receipts and refunds

正品, 保修 and 退税: authenticity, receipts and visitor tax refunds

The words below decide whether a purchase is returnable, repairable or refundable at the airport. 正品 and 保修 are what you ask about before paying; 退税 is what you claim after, and it needs the paperwork from the same shop.

Authenticity, warranty and tax-refund vocabulary
Chinese	Pinyin	English	Why it matters
正品	zhèngpǐn	genuine, authentic	是正品吗？ asks before you pay, not after.
假货	jiǎhuò	counterfeit	Markets and tourist streets are where the risk is highest.
保修	bǎoxiū	warranty	有保修吗？ Ask for the length and the card in writing.
发票	fāpiào	official tax invoice	The document that makes a warranty or a refund claim possible.
小票	xiǎopiào	till receipt	Proof of purchase; keep it even when no 发票 is issued.
退换	tuìhuàn	return or exchange	退 is refund and 换 is exchange; 可以退换吗？ asks the policy.
免税	miǎnshuì	duty free	免税店 is a duty-free shop, not the same as a tax refund.
退税	tuìshuì	tax refund	The visitor scheme; needs the 退税单 and the goods at the airport.
会员	huìyuán	member	会员价 is a member price; joining is often free.
积分	jīfēn	points, loyalty points	Accumulated at chains and supermarkets, not at markets.
包装	bāozhuāng	packaging	帮我包装一下 asks for gift wrapping; 包装费 is a packing fee.

The tax-refund scheme is for visitors, not residents: you need a passport, a purchase at a participating shop above the minimum spend, the shop's 退税单 filled in on the spot, and the goods unworn and available for inspection before you leave. Refunds are claimed at the airport and the goods must leave the country, so a jacket worn through the trip is not eligible. Ask 可以退税吗？ (can I get a tax refund?) before paying, because the form has to be issued at the time of purchase — it cannot be added later.

Questions about this page

How do you ask how much something costs in Chinese?

多少钱？ means “How much is it?” For one item, 这个多少钱？ is clearer. At checkout, 一共多少钱？ asks for the total.

What is the difference between 块 and 元?

块 is common in spoken prices; 元 is standard in written and formal prices. Both can refer to the yuan unit of currency, but the local currency may differ by country or region.

How do you say it is too expensive in Chinese?

太贵了 (tài guì le) means “That’s too expensive.” It is direct, so tone and context matter. 可以便宜一点吗？ is a softer request for a lower price.

How do you ask to try something on?

For clothing, 可以试穿吗？ asks whether you can try it on. For shoes or a quick trial, 可以试一下吗？ is also useful.

How do you ask for another size or colour?

有没有大一点的？ asks for a larger size, and 有没有别的颜色？ asks whether another colour is available. Replace 大 with 小 or 中 as needed.

How do you ask whether card payment is accepted?

可以刷卡吗？ means “Can I pay by card?” 可以用现金吗？ asks about cash, and 手机支付 refers to mobile payment.

What does 九折 mean?

九折 means you pay 90% of the original price, equivalent to 10% off. It does not mean 90% off.

Is bargaining normal in Chinese-speaking places?

It depends on the shop and context. Markets and independent sellers may allow it; department stores, chains and online shops often use fixed prices. 可以便宜一点吗？ is a request, not a guarantee.

How do you ask about a return or exchange?

可以退吗？ asks about returning an item, and 可以换吗？ asks about an exchange. The actual policy depends on the shop, product, condition and local law.

What are some common online shopping words?

购物车 shopping cart, 下单 place an order, 订单 order, 发货 ship, 快递 courier, 退货 return and 退款 refund.

How do you bargain in Chinese?

Open with 太贵了 (too expensive) or 便宜点 (a bit cheaper), then ask 最低多少钱 to get a floor price. Bargaining works at 市场 and 夜市 but not in malls or supermarkets, which are 明码标价 with fixed prices.

Is cash still used in China?

Cash is legal tender and shops must accept it, but most payments happen by phone through 微信支付 or 支付宝. Small vendors often have no change, so a phone wallet plus a little 现金 as backup is the practical setup.

What is the difference between 发票 and 小票?

小票 (xiǎopiào) is the ordinary till receipt that proves you bought something. 发票 (fāpiào) is the official tax invoice, needed for warranty claims and business expenses, and usually only issued at hotels, malls and larger shops when you ask.

Can tourists get a tax refund in China?

Yes, visitors can claim 退税 under the departure tax-refund scheme. You need a passport, a purchase above the minimum spend at a participating shop, the shop’s 退税单 issued at the time of purchase, and the unused goods available for inspection before you leave.

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Related everyday phrases

Shopping and money 购物 sits among these expressions, but the polite or natural choice still depends on the relationship, time of day and whether the setting is spoken or written.

How much 多少钱 Where is the bathroom 洗手间在哪里 Yes and no 是 / 不 / 没 I don’t understand 我不懂 Numbers 0–100 数字 Time and dates 时间 Family members 家人 Directions and transport 方向 Measure words 量词 Question words 疑问词 Food and restaurants 点菜 Weather 天气 Body and health 身体 Emergency phrases 紧急情况 Festival phrases 节日 All everyday Chinese phrases Chinese travel phrases Colours in Chinese Classical phrases and everyday expressions