Simplified Chinese - Shopping Returns & Questions

Lesson 154 of 156

Shop counter in Simplified Chinese context showing a shopper asking about returns and exchanges in a bustling Chinese market.

Goal: Quick phrases to ask about returns, exchanges and expiration dates

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome back — nice to see you in Lesson 154! This short lesson gives you a handful of very useful phrases for shopping in China. Practice by listening, repeating, and speaking aloud.

Level A1: In this lesson you'll practice four handy shopping phrases: how to say “I’ll keep looking” (我再看看, Wǒ zài kànkan), how to ask if something can be returned (能退吗？, Néng tuì ma?), exchanged (能换吗？, Néng huàn ma?), and how to ask about an expiration date (保质期到什么时候？, Bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou?). These are common in markets, supermarkets, and shops across China — quick, practical, and CEFR-aligned.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level A1: Learn to ask about returns, exchanges, and expiration dates in stores.
  • Be able to politely delay a purchase with 我再看看 (Wǒ zài kànkan).
  • Ask a shop assistant 能退吗？ (Néng tuì ma?) or 能换吗？ (Néng huàn ma?) and understand the answers.
  • Check food or medicine dates by asking 保质期到什么时候？ (Bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou?).
A shopper inspects a milk carton and asks about the 保质期 (expiration date) in Simplified Chinese at a supermarket.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

我再看看

Wǒ zài kànkan.

I’ll keep looking.

Meaning: I’ll keep looking.

When to use: Use this phrase in shops when you want to politely delay buying. It signals you’re not ready and will look around more.

这双鞋我先试试，还是我再看看。

Zhè shuāng xié wǒ xiān shìshi, háishì wǒ zài kànkan.

I'll try these shoes, but I'll keep looking.
谢谢，不用了，我再看看别的款式。

Xièxie, bú yòng le, wǒ zài kànkan bié de kuǎnshì.

Thanks, I don't need it for now — I'll keep looking at other styles.

能退吗

Néng tuì ma?

Can it be returned?

Meaning: Can it be returned?

When to use: Ask this before buying or if you find a problem after purchase. Shops often answer with time limits or conditions.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 退 and 换 interchangeably — 退 means give back/get a refund; 换 means exchange for another item.

这件衣服能退吗？我回家发现有点问题。

Zhè jiàn yīfu néng tuì ma? Wǒ huí jiā fāxiàn yǒudiǎn wèntí.

Can this clothing be returned? I found a problem after I got home.
如果不满意可以退货吗？能退吗？

Rúguǒ bù mǎnyì kěyǐ tuìhuò ma? Néng tuì ma?

If I'm not satisfied can I return it? Can it be returned?

能换吗

Néng huàn ma?

Can it be exchanged?

Meaning: Can it be exchanged?

When to use: Use when the size, color or a defect means you want a different item rather than money back.

Tip: Don't say 退 when you mean 换 (refund vs exchange); specify 换 if you want another size or color.

这双鞋太小了，可以换大一码吗？能换吗？

Zhè shuāng xié tài xiǎo le, kěyǐ huàn dà yī hào ma? Néng huàn ma?

These shoes are too small, can I exchange them for a bigger size? Can they be exchanged?
颜色不对，我想换一件别的颜色，能换吗？

Yánsè bù duì, wǒ xiǎng huàn yī jiàn bié de yánsè, néng huàn ma?

The color's wrong, I want to exchange for a different color — can I?

保质期到什么时候？

Bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou?

When is the expiration date?

Meaning: When is the expiration date?

When to use: Ask this for packaged foods, drinks, or medicine when you want to check freshness or safety.

请问这瓶牛奶的保质期到什么时候？

Qǐngwèn zhè píng niúnǎi de bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou?

Excuse me, when is the expiration date for this bottle of milk?
药上的保质期到什么时候，我要确认能不能带回家。

Yào shàng de bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou, wǒ yào quèrèn néng bù néng dài huí jiā.

When is the medicine's expiration date? I need to confirm if I can take it home.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

At a shoe counter in a small shop

Anna at a shoe counter asks the shop assistant (David) about exchanging and then says 我再看看 while browsing other styles.

What does Anna ask about the shoes?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

这双鞋太小了，能换吗？

Zhè shuāng xié tài xiǎo le, néng huàn ma?

These shoes are too small — can they be exchanged?

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

可以的，您想换大一码还是换别的款式？

Kěyǐ de, nín xiǎng huàn dà yī hào háishì huàn bié de kuǎnshì?

Yes — would you like a bigger size or a different style?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我先再看看别的款式，谢谢。

Wǒ xiān zài kànkan bié de kuǎnshì, xièxie.

I'll keep looking at other styles first, thanks.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

好的，需要我帮忙随时说。

Hǎo de, xūyào wǒ bāngmáng suíshí shuō.

Okay — tell me anytime if you need help.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

What does 我再看看。 mean?

You're buying a sealed carton of milk. Which question asks the expiration date?

If a shirt you bought is the wrong size, which question asks to swap it for a different size?

You open a product at home and discover a fault. Which short question asks if you can get a refund?

I want to buy this yogurt. Excuse me — when is the expiration date for this bottle?

我想买这瓶酸奶，小姐，请问这瓶奶的 ___？

If the shirt I buy doesn't fit at home, can I exchange it — for example for a larger size?

如果我买的衬衫回家不合适，我可以___比如换大一号吗？

The store's clothes look nice; I'm not decided yet. I want to look around first and come back.

这家店的衣服很好看，我还没决定，我想先___再回来。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

我再看看

Wǒ zài kànkan.

I'll keep looking.

Say this phrase out loud:

能退吗

Néng tuì ma?

Can it be returned?

Say this phrase out loud:

能换吗

Néng huàn ma?

Can it be exchanged?

Say this phrase out loud:

保质期到什么时候？

Bǎozhìqī dào shénme shíhou?

When is the expiration date?