Simplified Chinese - Lesson 104 of 156: Shopping Essentials

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

我想找___

wǒ xiǎng zhǎo ___.

I'm looking for ___.

Meaning: I'm looking for ___.

When to use: Use this to tell shop staff the item you want when you enter a store or aisle.

我想找一双运动鞋。

wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yì shuāng yùndòng xié.

I'm looking for a pair of sneakers.

我想找适合冬天的夹克。

wǒ xiǎng zhǎo shìhé dōngtiān de jiákè.

I'm looking for a jacket suitable for winter.

请问___在哪里？

qǐngwèn ___ zài nǎlǐ?

Where can I find ___?

Meaning: Where can I find ___?

When to use: Ask this politely to locate an item or section in a shop or supermarket.

请问牛奶在哪里？

qǐngwèn niúnǎi zài nǎlǐ?

Excuse me, where is the milk?

请问试衣间在哪里？

qǐngwèn shìyījiān zài nǎlǐ?

Excuse me, where is the fitting room?

这个多少钱

zhège duōshǎo qián?

How much is this?

Meaning: How much is this?

When to use: Use this when you point to an item and want to know the price.

这个多少钱？(指着一件衬衫)

zhège duōshǎo qián? (zhǐzhe yí jiàn chènshān)

How much is this? (pointing at a shirt)

请问，这个多少钱？

qǐngwèn, zhège duōshǎo qián?

Excuse me, how much is this?

这个有___的吗？

zhège yǒu ___ de ma?

Do you have this in ___?

Meaning: Do you have this in ___?

When to use: Ask this to request a different size, color, or style (e.g. 大号，蓝色).

Tip: Some learners drop 的 and say 这个有大号吗？ — native speakers often include 的 for clarity.

这个有大号的吗？

zhège yǒu dà hào de ma?

Do you have this in size L?

这个有红色的吗？

zhège yǒu hóngsè de ma?

Do you have this in red?

这个可以试穿吗？

zhège kěyǐ shìchuān ma?

Can I try this on?

Meaning: Can I try this on?

When to use: Use this for clothes or shoes when you want to use a fitting room.

这个可以试穿吗？我想看看尺码。

zhège kěyǐ shìchuān ma? wǒ xiǎng kàn kàn chǐmǎ.

Can I try this on? I want to check the size.

这双鞋可以试穿吗？

zhè shuāng xié kěyǐ shìchuān ma?

Can I try these shoes on?

可以刷卡吗

kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?

Do you take cards?

Meaning: Do you take cards?

When to use: Ask this at checkout to confirm whether you can pay by card.

可以刷卡吗？我没有现金。

kěyǐ shuākǎ ma? wǒ méiyǒu xiànjīn.

Can I pay by card? I don't have cash.

这里可以刷卡还是只能付现金？

zhèlǐ kěyǐ shuākǎ háishì zhǐ néng fù xiànjīn?

Can I use a card here or is it cash only?

可以用___付款吗？

kěyǐ yòng ___ fùkuǎn ma?

Can I pay in ___?

Meaning: Can I pay in ___?

When to use: Use this to ask if a specific payment method (WeChat, Alipay, cash) is accepted.

可以用微信付款吗？

kěyǐ yòng wēixìn fùkuǎn ma?

Can I pay with WeChat?

可以用现金付款吗？

kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn fùkuǎn ma?

Can I pay with cash?

有便宜一点的吗？

yǒu piányi yìdiǎn de ma?

Is there a cheaper one?

Meaning: Is there a cheaper one?

When to use: Ask this when you want a lower-priced option or a less expensive model.

这个太贵了，有便宜一点的吗？

zhège tài guì le, yǒu piányi yìdiǎn de ma?

This is too expensive — is there a cheaper one?

你们有便宜一点的手机壳吗？

nǐmen yǒu piányi yìdiǎn de shǒujī ké ma?

Do you have a cheaper phone case?

我要这个

wǒ yào zhège.

I'll take it.

Meaning: I'll take it.

When to use: Say this to confirm you want to buy the item at the register.

这个很好，我要这个。

zhège hěn hǎo, wǒ yào zhège.

This is great — I'll take it.

我要这个，麻烦帮我包好。

wǒ yào zhège, máfan bāng wǒ bāo hǎo.

I'll take this, please wrap it for me.

能给我一张小票吗？

néng gěi wǒ yì zhāng xiǎopiào ma?

Can I get a receipt, please?

Meaning: Can I get a receipt, please?

When to use: Ask this at checkout if you want a small store receipt (小票) after purchase.

Tip: Learners sometimes ask for 发票 (fāpiào) when they only need a small receipt — 发票 is the official tax invoice.

买完了，能给我一张小票吗？

mǎi wán le, néng gěi wǒ yì zhāng xiǎopiào ma?

I finished buying — can I get a receipt?

可以给我小票吗？我要报销。

kěyǐ gěi wǒ xiǎopiào ma? wǒ yào bàoxiāo.

Can you give me the receipt? I need it for reimbursement.

这个打折吗

Zhège dǎzhé ma?

Is this on sale?

Meaning: Is this on sale?

When to use: Ask whether the price has been reduced or the item is currently discounted.

这个打折吗？我昨天看到价格不同。

zhège dǎzhé ma? wǒ zuótiān kàn dào jiàgé bùtóng.

Is this on sale? I saw a different price yesterday.

促销期间，这个会打折吗？

cùxiāo qíjiān, zhège huì dǎzhé ma?

During the promotion, will this be discounted?

有优惠吗

Yǒu yōuhuì ma?

Is there a discount?

Meaning: Is there a discount?

When to use: Use this to ask if any promotions or special offers apply to the item.

买两件有优惠吗？

mǎi liǎng jiàn yǒu yōuhuì ma?

Is there a discount if I buy two?

这个有优惠吗？可以打折吗？

zhège yǒu yōuhuì ma? kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?

Is there a discount for this? Can it be discounted?

这个能退吗

Zhège néng tuì ma?

Can I return this?

Meaning: Can I return this?

When to use: Ask this when you want to know the store's return or exchange policy for the item.

请问这个能退吗？我不确定尺码。

qǐngwèn zhège néng tuì ma? wǒ bù quèdìng chǐmǎ.

Excuse me, can I return this? I'm not sure about the size.

如果不合适，这个能退吗？

rúguǒ bù héshì, zhège néng tuì ma?

If it doesn't fit, can this be returned?

Simplified Chinese - Shopping Essentials

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase asks 'Can I try this on?'

How do you politely ask where something is?

Which is the phrase to confirm 'I'll take it' at checkout?

If you want to know whether the store accepts Alipay, which phrase fits best?

Customer: Excuse me, how much is this? (pointing at a coat)

Customer: Excuse me, do you have this in large? Clerk: Yes, we have three colors.

Customer: Can I pay now? Clerk: Yes, we can accept card or WeChat.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice