Simple Chinese Conversation - Shopping in Beijing, China

Simple Chinese Conversation for Shopping – There are many places to shop in Beijing.

And most of the time, the best shops have staffs that know only Mandarin (Chinese language). English is not that widespread in Beijing, China besides the usual “Hello”, “Thank You” and “Goodbye”.

So, what do you do? There are 3 things you can do:

1. Don’t patronize the Non-English speaking shops (which are most of them in China)

2. Get a Translator for your Shopping needs (usually more for buying a yacht or a cute Panda)

3. Learn some common Chinese shopping phrases!

I guess Choice no. 3 seems the most logical.

Let’s go shopping!

Simple Chinese Conversation - Phrases for Shopping

I want to buy: "Wo Xiang Mai" (Buy: "Mai")

I'm just looking: "Wo Sui Bian Kan Kan" (Look/ looking: "Kan Kan")

How much does it cost: "Duo Shao Qian?" ("How much money?" in direct translation. Money: "Qian")

It's too expensive : "Tai Gui Le" (Too: "Tai" and Expensive: "Gui"）- I say this every time I am bargaining even though I think it is dirt cheap!

Will you change it? :"Ni Neng Huan Ma?" (Change: "Huan")

I'd like a refund: "Wo Xiang Tui Huo" (Refund: "Tui Huo")

I would like to try this on: "Wo Xiang Shi Chuan" (Try on: "Shi Chuan")

Vocabulary:

Buy: "Mai"

Look/ looking: "Kan Kan"

Too: "Tai"

Expensive: "Gui"

Change: "Huan"

Refund: "Tui Huo"

Try on: "Shi Chuan"

I hope these few phrases will be helpful in your shopping and bargaining in Beijing and China in general. I guess the only thing I say is “ " Gui! Gui!" and the salespeople get the message. And that’s all I care fore!

Here’s to your successful bargaining!

For more common Chinese phrases, please click on them