Shopping is an essential part of daily life, and when you’re in a Chinese-speaking country, knowing some basic shopping phrases can greatly enhance your experience. Whether you’re haggling in a market or trying to find a fitting room, these words and phrases will help you communicate effectively.

购物 (gòuwù) – Shopping
This is the general term for “shopping.”
我喜欢周末去购物。 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhōumò qù gòuwù.) – I like to go shopping on weekends.

商店 (shāngdiàn) – Shop/Store
Used to refer to any kind of shop or store.
这家商店卖很多漂亮的衣服。 (Zhè jiā shāngdiàn mài hěn duō piàoliang de yīfu.) – This store sells a lot of beautiful clothes.

市场 (shìchǎng) – Market
Refers to a public market or a marketplace.
早上的市场非常热闹。 (Zǎoshang de shìchǎng fēicháng rènào.) – The market is very lively in the morning.

买 (mǎi) – To buy
This is the verb for “to buy.”
我想买一本书。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī běn shū.) – I want to buy a book.

卖 (mài) – To sell
The verb for “to sell.”
他们卖各种各样的手工艺品。 (Tāmen mài gè zhǒng gè yàng de shǒugōng yìpǐn.) – They sell all kinds of handicrafts.

价格 (jiàgé) – Price
The term for “price.”
这个价格可以再便宜一点吗？ (Zhège jiàgé kěyǐ zài piányí yìdiǎn ma?) – Can the price be a little cheaper?

多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) – How much is it?
Asking for the price of an item.
这件衣服多少钱？ (Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshǎo qián?) – How much is this piece of clothing?

便宜 (piányí) – Cheap
Used to describe something that is inexpensive.
这里的水果很便宜。 (Zhèlǐ de shuǐguǒ hěn piányí.) – The fruits here are cheap.

贵 (guì) – Expensive
Describes something that is costly.
这家餐厅的食物太贵了。 (Zhè jiā cāntīng de shíwù tài guì le.) – The food in this restaurant is too expensive.

打折 (dǎ zhé) – Discount
Refers to a price reduction or discount.
今天所有的衣服都在打折。 (Jīntiān suǒyǒu de yīfu dōu zài dǎ zhé.) – All clothes are on discount today.

试衣间 (shì yī jiān) – Fitting Room
The place where you try on clothes in a store.
试衣间在哪里？ (Shìyījiān zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is the fitting room?

尺寸 (chǐcùn) – Size
Refers to the size of clothing or shoes.
这件衣服有其他尺寸吗？ (Zhè jiàn yīfu yǒu qítā chǐcùn ma?) – Do you have this piece of clothing in other sizes?

换 (huàn) – To exchange
The verb for exchanging one item for another.
我可以换一个大一点儿的吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ huàn yī ge dà yìdiǎn de ma?) – Can I exchange it for a bigger one?

退货 (tuì huò) – To return (goods)
The process of returning an item after purchase.
如果不合适，我可以退货吗？ (Rúguǒ bù héshì, wǒ kěyǐ tuì huò ma?) – If it doesn’t fit, can I return it?

付款 (fù kuǎn) – Payment
The act of paying for goods or services.
在哪里付款？ (Zài nǎlǐ fù kuǎn?) – Where do I make the payment?

Remembering these fundamental Chinese words and phrases will make your shopping experiences in Chinese-speaking regions more enjoyable and efficient. Happy shopping, or as you might say in Chinese, 购物愉快 (gòuwù yúkuài)!