What are some common phrases for asking about prices in Chinese
Here are some common phrases for asking about prices in Chinese:
Basic ways to ask “How much?”
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多少钱？ (Duōshǎo qián?) — “How much is it?” This is the most common and straightforward way to ask the price of something.
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这个多少钱？ (Zhège duōshǎo qián?) — “How much is this?” A slightly more specific way to ask about the price of a particular item.
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总共多少钱？ (Zǒnggòng duōshǎo qián?) — “How much is the total?” Used when asking about the total cost of multiple items.
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这个要多少钱？ (Zhège yào duōshǎo qián?) — “How much does this cost?”
In spoken Chinese, 多少钱 is used in shops, markets, taxis, and restaurants, but the exact phrase depends on whether the price is for one item, several items, or the full bill. 这个 is especially useful when pointing at an item, because the combination of speech and gesture makes the question clear even in a noisy setting.
Useful bargaining phrases
For bargaining or negotiating prices, the following are useful:
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太贵了。 (Tài guì le.) — “It’s too expensive.”
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可以便宜一点儿吗？ (Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎnr ma?) — “Can you make it a little cheaper?”
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100块可以吗？ (Yībǎi kuài kěyǐ ma?) — “Would 100 RMB be okay?”
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我不要了。 (Wǒ bù yào le.) — “I don’t want it anymore.” (Used to indicate willingness to walk away from the deal.)
These phrases are widely used in everyday conversations and shopping contexts in China.
What the words mean
A few small details make these phrases easier to use naturally:
- 钱 (qián) means “money.”
- 块 (kuài) is a very common spoken word for yuan in everyday conversation.
- 元 (yuán) is the standard written currency unit for the Chinese yuan.
- 便宜 (piányi) means “cheap” or “inexpensive.”
- 一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) means “a little bit.”
So 100块可以吗？ sounds more natural in casual speech than a more formal written-style version with 元. In markets and small shops, people often talk about prices quickly and directly, so short phrases are normal.
Pronunciation tips
Chinese price questions are usually short, but tone matters.
- 多少 has rising-third-tone patterns that can be tricky at first.
- 贵 (guì) is fourth tone, which gives 太贵了 a firm, emphatic sound.
- 便宜 can be especially difficult because the tones do not match the English spelling; hearing and repeating the full phrase helps.
Clear rhythm matters as much as exact tone perfection. In real conversation, a learner who says the key words clearly and points to the item is usually understood even with imperfect tones.
Common mistakes
- Using 多少钱？ when the question needs to be more specific. For example, in a restaurant bill, 总共多少钱？ is more natural.
- Saying 便宜 as if it meant “free.” It means “cheap,” not “no cost.”
- Treating 我不要了 as a polite thank-you phrase. It is stronger than that and means the person is backing out of the purchase.
A short practice routine with repeated listening and speaking often helps these phrases become automatic. Conversation practice is especially useful because price questions are quick, interactive, and highly dependent on timing.
These phrases are widely used in everyday conversations and shopping contexts in China.