Chinese for English speakers Townhall · Lesson 2

Give discounts

Chinese bargaining — 这种服务太贵 (This service is too expensive) — and 可以便宜一点吗? (Can you make it cheaper?).

Conversation

  1. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    这种服务太贵，

    zhè zhǒng fú wù tài guì,

    This service is too expensive,

    Tip: 服务 <fúwù> = service 贵 <guì> = expensive

  2. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    可以便宜一点吗？

    kě yǐ pián yì yì diǎn ma?

    Can you make it a little cheaper?

    Tip: 便宜<piányì> = cheap, inexpensive

  3. Bob Bob

    不好意思，女士。

    bù hǎo yì si, nǚ shì.

    I am very sorry, ma'am.

    Tip: 女士<nǚshì> = lady, ma'am

  4. Bob Bob

    我们不能打折扣。

    wǒ men bù néng dǎ zhé kòu.

    We cannot give discounts.

    Tip: 打折扣 <dǎzhékòu> = to give a discount

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you ask for discounts in Chinese?

便宜一点吧? = 'a bit cheaper?'. 可以便宜点吗? = 'can you make it cheaper?'. Common at markets.

What does 太...了 mean?

'Too ...'. 太贵了 = 'too expensive'. Excessive amount.

Chinese for 'cheaper'?

更便宜 (cheaper), 便宜一点 (a bit cheaper), 打折 (discounted).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Chinese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

Next lesson in Townhall Negative imperative →