Setting up a home in China can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to buying household items (日用品, rìyòngpǐn) and understanding local stores (商店, shāngdiàn). From groceries and kitchen tools to cleaning supplies and furniture, knowing the right Chinese phrases will help you shop efficiently and confidently.
In this blog-post, we’ll cover practical sentences for asking about prices, sizes, availability, quality, and recommendations, as well as how to handle transactions and politely interact with store staff. These phrases will make everyday shopping easier for expats living in China.
Asking About Product Availability
Before buying, it’s important to check whether the item you want is available (有货, yǒu huò). Here are useful phrases:
- 请问你们有这种洗衣粉吗？(Qǐngwèn nǐmen yǒu zhè zhǒng xǐyī fěn ma?) – Excuse me, do you have this kind of laundry detergent?
- 我找不到拖把，可以帮我找吗？(Wǒ zhǎo bù dào tuōbǎ, kěyǐ bāng wǒ zhǎo ma?) – I can’t find a mop, can you help me look for it?
- 这个型号的电饭煲还有吗？(Zhège xínghào de diànfànbāo hái yǒu ma?) – Do you still have this model of rice cooker?
- 你们什么时候补货？(Nǐmen shénme shíhòu bǔ huò?) – When will you restock?
Polite follow-up phrases:
- 谢谢你的帮助，我会再看看。(Xièxiè nǐ de bāngzhù, wǒ huì zài kàn kàn.) – Thank you for your help, I’ll take another look.
- 可以告诉我其他类似产品吗？(Kěyǐ gàosù wǒ qítā lèisì chǎnpǐn ma?) – Can you show me other similar products?
Asking About Prices and Discounts
Understanding prices (价格, jiàgé) and discounts (折扣, zhékòu) is essential for smart shopping:
- 这个多少钱？(Zhège duōshǎo qián?) – How much is this?
- 可以便宜一点吗？(Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?) – Can it be a little cheaper?
- 这个商品有折扣吗？(Zhège shāngpǐn yǒu zhékòu ma?) – Does this product have a discount?
- 买两件可以打折吗？(Mǎi liǎng jiàn kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?) – Can I get a discount if I buy two?
When the staff responds, you can politely confirm:
- 好的，我买这个。(Hǎo de, wǒ mǎi zhège.) – Okay, I’ll buy this.
- 谢谢，我会考虑一下。(Xièxiè, wǒ huì kǎolǜ yīxià.) – Thank you, I’ll think about it.
Asking About Product Features and Quality
Many household items have different sizes, materials, and features (特点, tèdiǎn). Knowing how to ask about these can prevent mistakes:
- 这个锅是铁的吗？(Zhège guō shì tiě de ma?) – Is this pot made of iron?
- 这款吸尘器吸力大吗？(Zhè kuǎn xīchénqì xīlì dà ma?) – Does this vacuum cleaner have strong suction?
- 可以用洗碗机清洗吗？(Kěyǐ yòng xǐwǎnjī qīngxǐ ma?) – Can it be washed in the dishwasher?
- 这个材质耐用吗？(Zhège cáizhì nàiyòng ma?) – Is this material durable?
Polite responses after explanations:
- 谢谢你的说明，我明白了。(Xièxiè nǐ de shuōmíng, wǒ míngbái le.) – Thank you for the explanation, I understand.
- 可以，我决定买这个。(Kěyǐ, wǒ juédìng mǎi zhège.) – Okay, I’ve decided to buy this.
Asking for Recommendations
Sometimes it’s helpful to ask staff for recommendations (推荐, tuījiàn):
- 你能推荐一下好用的洗衣液吗？(Nǐ néng tuījiàn yīxià hǎo yòng de xǐyī yè ma?) – Can you recommend a good laundry detergent?
- 我想买厨房用品，有什么推荐吗？(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi chúfáng yòngpǐn, yǒu shénme tuījiàn ma?) – I want to buy kitchen items, do you have any recommendations?
- 你们家最畅销的拖把是哪款？(Nǐmen jiā zuì chàngxiāo de tuōbǎ shì nǎ kuǎn?) – Which mop is the best seller here?
- 这个品牌的产品质量好吗？(Zhège pǐnpái de chǎnpǐn zhìliàng hǎo ma?) – Is this brand’s product quality good?
Polite follow-ups:
- 谢谢，我会试试你推荐的。(Xièxiè, wǒ huì shì shì nǐ tuījiàn de.) – Thank you, I’ll try the one you recommended.
- 好的，我觉得这个不错。(Hǎo de, wǒ juéde zhège bùcuò.) – Okay, I think this one is good.
Handling Transactions and Payment
When it’s time to pay (付款, fùkuǎn), these phrases are useful:
- 我可以刷卡吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?) – Can I pay by card?
- 现金可以吗？(Xiànjīn kěyǐ ma?) – Is cash okay?
- 请给我小票。(Qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào.) – Please give me a receipt.
- 我想用手机支付。(Wǒ xiǎng yòng shǒujī zhīfù.) – I want to pay with my phone.
After payment, polite expressions:
- 谢谢您的服务。(Xièxiè nín de fúwù.) – Thank you for your service.
- 商品我收到了，谢谢。(Shāngpǐn wǒ shōu dào le, xièxiè.) – I’ve received the items, thank you.
Dealing with Issues or Exchanges
Occasionally, purchased items may have problems (问题, wèntí). Use these phrases for polite resolution:
- 这个产品有问题，我想换一个。(Zhège chǎnpǐn yǒu wèntí, wǒ xiǎng huàn yī gè.) – This product has a problem, I want to exchange it.
- 可以退货吗？(Kěyǐ tuì huò ma?) – Can I return it?
- 我买错了，可以换吗？(Wǒ mǎi cuò le, kěyǐ huàn ma?) – I bought the wrong one, can I exchange it?
- 谢谢你的帮助，我很感激。(Xièxiè nǐ de bāngzhù, wǒ hěn gǎnjī.) – Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.
New Words
- 日用品 (rìyòngpǐn) – household items
- 商店 (shāngdiàn) – store/shop
- 价格 (jiàgé) – price
- 折扣 (zhékòu) – discount
- 特点 (tèdiǎn) – feature/characteristic
- 推荐 (tuījiàn) – recommend
- 付款 (fùkuǎn) – payment
- 有货 (yǒu huò) – in stock/available
- 问题 (wèntí) – problem/issue
- 小票 (xiǎopiào) – receipt