CEFR A1-A2
Mandarin Shopping Phrases: Prices, Sizes, Returns and Bargaining
Chinese retail has split sharply between fixed-price modern retail (large chain shops, branded stores, supermarkets) and traditional market culture (street markets, wholesale markets, antique markets). Modern retail is straightforward; markets reward bargaining. These phrases handle both.
How much does it cost?
Duōshǎo qián? (?)
IPA [two˥ʂaʊ˨˩˦ tɕʰjɛn˧˥]
duōshǎo qián
Universal question. 'Zhège duōshǎo qián?' (这个多少钱?, this one, how much?) is the slightly more specific form.
Could I see this one, please?
Wǒ kěyǐ kànkan zhège ma? (?)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ kʰan˥˩kʰan ʈʂɤ˥˩kɤ ma]
wǒ kéyǐ kànkan zhège ma
Doubling the verb ('kànkan') softens the request - 'have a quick look'. Note the tone sandhi: kěyǐ (two third tones) sounds kéyǐ.
Do you have it in a smaller / larger size?
Yǒu xiǎo yìdiǎn / dà yìdiǎn de ma? (/?)
IPA [joʊ˨˩˦ ɕjaʊ˨˩˦ i˥˩tjɛn˨˩˦ / ta˥˩ i˥˩tjɛn˨˩˦ tɤ ma]
yǒu xiǎo yìdiǎn / dà yìdiǎn de ma
Clothing sizes use the Chinese standard which approximates European sizing for the upper tier; lower-end retail uses local sizes that vary. Note tone sandhi: yī (一) becomes yì before fourth-tone diǎn.
What size do you have?
Nǐ chuān duō dà hào? (?)
IPA [ni˨˩˦ ʈʂʰwan˥ two˥ ta˥˩ xaʊ˥˩]
nǐ chuān duō dà hào
Asked by the shop assistant.
Can I try it on?
Wǒ kěyǐ shìshi ma? (?)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ ʂʐ̩˥˩ʂʐ̩ ma]
wǒ kéyǐ shìshi ma
The doubled verb 'shìshi' softens the request. Note the tone sandhi on kěyǐ (sounds kéyǐ).
Where are the fitting rooms?
Shìyījiān zài nǎlǐ? (?)
IPA [ʂʐ̩˥˩i˥tɕjɛn˥ tsaɪ˥˩ na˨˩˦li˨˩˦]
shìyījiān zài nǎlǐ
'Shìyījiān' (试衣间) literally means 'try-clothes-room'.
Do you have it in another colour?
Yǒu bié de yánsè ma? (颜色?)
IPA [joʊ˨˩˦ pjɛ˧˥ tɤ jɛn˧˥sɤ˥˩ ma]
yǒu bié de yánsè ma
I am just looking, thank you.
Wǒ zhǐshì kànkan, xièxie. (, .)
IPA [wo˨˩˦ ʈʂʐ̩˨˩˦ʂʐ̩˥˩ kʰan˥˩kʰan ɕjɛ˥˩ɕjɛ]
wǒ zhǐshì kànkan, xièxie
Polite brush-off for shop assistants who approach you. Common in modern Chinese retail.
Can I pay by mobile?
Kěyǐ yòng shǒujī fùkuǎn ma? (付款?)
IPA [kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ jʊŋ˥˩ ʂoʊ˨˩˦tɕi˥ fu˥˩kʰwan˨˩˦ ma]
kéyǐ yòng shǒujī fùkuǎn ma
Mainland China is mobile-payment first. Alipay (Zhīfùbǎo, 支付宝) and WeChat Pay (Wēixìn Zhīfù, 微信支付) cover almost all transactions. International cards are increasingly accepted at major shops but mobile payment is still the default. Note tone sandhi on kěyǐ (sounds kéyǐ).
Could you give me a discount?
Kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma? (宜?)
IPA [kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ pʰjɛn˧˥i i˥˩tjɛn˨˩˦ ma]
kéyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma
Appropriate at markets and street vendors. Not appropriate at chain retail or branded shops. 'Piányi' (便宜) means 'cheap'; the literal request is 'can it be cheaper a bit?'. Tone sandhi: yī becomes yì before fourth-tone diǎn; kěyǐ sounds kéyǐ.
It is too expensive.
Tài guì le. (贵.)
IPA [tʰaɪ˥˩ kweɪ˥˩ lɤ]
tài guì le
Standard negotiation opener at markets. 'Le' (了) marks the change-of-state evaluation.
Could I have a receipt, please?
Qǐng gěi wǒ yì zhāng fāpiào. (票.)
IPA [tɕʰiŋ˨˩˦ keɪ˧˥ wo˨˩˦ i˥˩ ʈʂaŋ˥ fa˥pʰjaʊ˥˩]
qǐng géi wǒ yì zhāng fāpiào
'Fāpiào' (发票) is the formal Chinese tax receipt; reception will issue it on request. The default till receipt is 'xiǎopiào' (小票). Tone sandhi: yī becomes yì before first-tone zhāng; gěi wǒ (two third tones) sounds géi wǒ.
Can I return this if it does not fit?
Bù héshì dehuà, wǒ kěyǐ tuìhuò ma? (合适, 退货?)
IPA [pu˥˩ xɤ˧˥ʂʐ̩˥˩ tɤxwa˥˩ wo˨˩˦ kʰɤ˧˥i˨˩˦ tʰweɪ˥˩xwo˥˩ ma]
bù héshì dehuà, wǒ kéyǐ tuìhuò ma
Return policies in mainland China are improving for chain retailers; smaller markets and street vendors typically do not accept returns. Note tone sandhi: kěyǐ sounds kéyǐ before the fourth-tone tuì.
Regional notes
Mainland China
Modern Chinese chain retailers (UNIQLO, Muji, Decathlon, Sephora, Watson's, plus Chinese brands like Anta, Li Ning, Bosideng) operate fixed-price retail with predictable return policies. Sales seasons revolve around 11.11 (Singles Day, November) and 6.18 (June). Mobile payment is universal in cities; cash and international cards are usable but less convenient. The Taobao and Tmall e-commerce platforms cover most online retail.
Taiwan
Taiwanese retail follows broadly the same pattern as urban mainland China. Card payment and mobile payment are both widely accepted. Night markets ('yèshì', 夜市) across Taiwan are the main bargaining destination. Taipei 101 and the Xinyi shopping district are the main fixed-price retail zones.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong retail is fully developed with international chains alongside Hong Kong specialty stores. The Octopus card covers small purchases at most shops; Apple Pay, Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. Cantonese is the local language; Mandarin is increasingly understood at retail staff level. Tipping for retail staff is not a custom; the price is the price.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Is it rude to haggle in China?
Not at markets, where haggling is expected and even welcomed. The opening offer at a Chinese market is usually 30-50% above the seller's target; bargaining down to 60-70% of the asking price is normal. It is rude to haggle at fixed-price chain retailers or branded shops, where the price tag is the price.
Can I use international credit cards in China?
Increasingly yes at major hotels, international chain restaurants, and large retail in tourist areas. Smaller restaurants and shops are mobile-payment first (Alipay or WeChat Pay) and may not accept international cards. Always carry some cash as a fallback.
How does Chinese clothing sizing work?
Chinese sizes use a number system that approximates European sizing for higher-end and international-chain retail (XS, S, M, L, XL or 36, 38, 40 European equivalent). Lower-end retail uses local sizes that vary by manufacturer; trying on is the only reliable way to confirm fit. Shoe sizes use the European number standard at modern retail.
What is the difference between 'fāpiào' and 'xiǎopiào'?
'Fāpiào' (发票) is the formal Chinese tax receipt, used for business expense claims and tax purposes. You request it specifically. 'Xiǎopiào' (小票) is the small till receipt automatically issued at most retailers. For business expenses, you need 'fāpiào'; for personal use, 'xiǎopiào' is sufficient.