Bargaining is an art and may be very helpful in daily life. At least, it is so often used in most markets and back-street clothes shops. And when you want to bargain over the price with the salesman. “卖家 (mài jiā) The seller” usually use this Chinese phrase “一分钱，一分货 (yì fēn qián, yì fēn huò) You get what you pay for” as a response.
Key Learning Points: (Preview)
一分钱，一分货 (Yì fēn qián, yì fēn huò) you get what you pay for
“一分 (Yì fēn)” means one cent, “钱 (qián)” means money and “货 (huò)” means goods.
Dialogue:
A: Nǐ zhè tiáo qúnzi zhēn hǎokàn, duōshǎo qián?
A: 你这条裙子真好看， 多少钱？
A: Your skirt is so beautiful! How much is it?
B: Sì bǎi kuài, yǒudiǎn guì.
B: 四百块， 有点贵。
B: Four hundred yuan, a little bit expensive.
A: Shì yǒu diǎn, búguò yì fēn qián yì fēn huò, zhè qúnzi chuān zhe duō yǒu qìzhì ya!
A: 是有点，不过一分钱一分货， 这裙子穿着多有气质呀！
A: Yeah, it is. But you get what you pay for. You look so elegant in this skirt!
In fact, many Chinese like to “砍价 (kǎn jià) drive a hard bargain.” Why? Because they know very well that many daily items are not worth the price that the seller gives, hence there is the phenomenon of “货比三家 (huò bǐ sān jiā) shopping around; comparison shopping; shoppers researching purchases.” In addition, if you spend a few extra minutes negotiating prices, you may save tens or even hundreds of yuan and there will be a great sense of satisfaction such as the psychological satisfaction of saving a small percentage.
Not only that, everyone wants to buy something cheap and beautiful. Therefore, they engage in bargaining and bargaining is like a debate, which for some people, it is very exciting and interesting.
Here Are Some Common And Useful Sentences for Bargaining:
Gěi wǒ dǎ ge zhé ba.
给我打个折吧。
Give me a discount.
Mini-Test Answer: 打折 (DǎZhé) Discount
Kě bù kěyǐ piányi yì diǎn mài gěi wǒ?
可不可以便宜一点卖给我？
Could you give me this for cheaper?
Rúguǒ wǒ duō mǎi xiē néng dǎzhé ma?
如果我多买些能打折吗？
Can I get a discount if I buy more purchases?
Zhè yàng dōngxi wǒ kěyǐ zài bié de dìfang mǎi dào gèng piányi de.
这样东西我可以在别的地方买到更便宜的。
I can get this cheaper at other places.
Zuì dī nǐ néng chū shénme jià?
最低你能出什么价？
What’s the lowest you’re willing to go?
Bàituō, nǐ jiù piányi yì diǎn gěi wǒ ba.
拜托，你就便宜一点给我吧。
Come on, give me a little deal on this.
Key Words:
折扣 (Zhékòu) n. discount
砍价 (Kǎn jià) v. haggle; drive a hard bargain
还价 (Huánjià) v. bargain
Dialogue:
Gùkè: Qĭngwèn zhè dǐng màozi duōshăo qián?
顾客：请问这顶帽子多少钱？
Customer: Excuse me, how much is this hat?
Shòuhuòyuán: Liǎng băi wǔ shí yuán.
售货员： 250 元。
Shop assistant: 250 yuan.
Gùkè: Tài guì la! Néng piányi yì diǎn gěi wǒ ma?
顾客：太贵啦！能便宜一点给我吗？
Customer: That’s too much! Can you give me this for cheaper?
便宜 (PiánYi) Cheap / Let Someone off Lightly (Intermediate)
Shòuhuòyuán: Liǎng bǎi yuán. Zhèshì wǒmen de zuì dī jià le.
售货员：200元。这是我们的最低价了。
Shop assistant: 200 yuan. That’s our rock bottom price.
Let’s take a short quiz to practice some of the vocabulary you’ve learned! Leave your comments below if you have any questions or have any special experiences with bargaining!
And if you want to really experience the fun of bargaining over the prize in Chinese, welcome to register our free trial, to have a role play with our Chinese teacher, come and join us!
1. Read the dialogue and answer the question below.
Xiǎo Hóng: Zhè tiáo kùzi tài guì la, wǒ zuìduō zhǐnéng chū yì bǎi yuán.
小红: 这条裤子太贵啦，我最多只能出100元。
Shòuhuòyuán: Duìbùqǐ, wǒmen jùjué huánjià.
售货员: 对不起，我们拒绝还价。
Which of the following statement is true according to the dialogue? Please choose the best answer.
A. Xiao Hong thinks this pair of trousers is very cheap.
B. Xiao Hong wants to bargain over the price with the salesman.
C. The original price of this pair of trousers is 100 yuan.
D. The price of this pair of trousers is less 100 yuan.