The Most Useful Chinese Phrases and Questions to Bargain in Chinese

It’s not acceptable to bargain with shop assistants in most western countries. However, if you have the chance to visit local markets in China, you will notice that Chinese people are “passionate” about bargaining with sellers. The reason behind it is that “leading a thrifty life” is considered a virtue according to traditional Chinese culture. If you would also like to try bargaining with Chinese sellers, the following five Chinese phrases and questions are what you need.

Phrases and Questions to Bargain in Chinese – Ask About the Price

1.How much is this?

People always want to know the price first before they buy something. Chinese people start to bargain with retailers when they don’t think the price is good. A straightforward way to ask about prices is by using the structure “something + “多少钱” (duōshǎo qián), in which “多少钱” (duōshǎo qián) means “how much money”.

2. It’s too expensive.

This is one of the most common Chinese phrases that you can use when you think the price is too high and you’re ready to bargain. The character “贵” (guì) means “expensive”, and the meaning of the structure “太” (tài) + adj. + 了 (le) is “so/too + adj.”. What’s important here is that Chinese phrases and sentences containing this structure can be used to make complaints or pay compliments to other people.

Examples:
太贵了。
Tài guì le.
It’s too expensive. (a complaint)

你的中文太好了。
Nǐ de Zhōngwén tài hǎo le.
Your Chinese is so good. (a compliment)

Phrases and Questions to Bargain in Chinese – Ask About the Price

1. Can you make it a little cheaper?

It’s acceptable to bargain with sellers in China, especially when it comes to those small shops at tourist sites. There are different Chinese phrases you can use to let the seller know that you’re not happy with the price. However, this is a common question Chinese people ask when they bargain with sellers. The keyword is “便宜” (piányi), which means “cheap or inexpensive”.

2. Would 100RMB be ok?

Sometimes the seller might ask you to name your own price if you’re not satisfied with the price offered by them. “…….可以吗” (kě yǐ ma)? is one of the Chinese phrases that are frequently used when people ask about permission for something. Therefore, you can use it to ask if the price offered by you would be acceptable to the seller, which could be another effective way to bargain.

3. I don’t want it anymore.

This is one of the Chinese phrases which may serve as a “tactic” you can adopt if the seller insists that he or she can’t lower the price anymore. Sellers in China usually make concessions after noticing that their customers have the intention to leave. Therefore, there is always room for further discount.

We hope you’ve learned a little bit more about China. To find out more useful Chinese phrases about China and Chinese culture, check out one of our blog posts 5 Interesting Facts About Time in China