When shopping in China, especially in markets, knowing how to 砍价 (kǎnjià), or bargain, is a very useful skill. It literally means to 'chop prices' or 'cut prices.' You'll hear this verb used frequently when discussing prices and trying to get a better deal.
For example, if you want to ask 'Can we bargain?', you could say '可以砍价吗？(Kěyǐ kǎnjià ma?).' If you successfully get a lower price, you might say, '我砍价成功了！(Wǒ kǎnjià chénggōng le!)', meaning 'I successfully bargained!'
砍价 في 30 ثانية
- negotiate price
- haggle
- get a discount
You're learning Chinese, and that's great! Today, let's talk about a super practical word: 砍价 (kǎnjià). It means 'to bargain' or 'to haggle over prices.' Whether you're shopping in a market or buying something secondhand, this word is your friend.
§ What is 砍价 (kǎnjià)?
- Definition
- To bargain; to haggle over prices.
Think of it as politely negotiating a better price. It's very common in China, especially in places where prices aren't fixed. Don't be shy to try it!
§ Where You'll Actually Hear 砍价 (kǎnjià)
You won't hear this word in a formal business meeting or at school much, unless someone is talking about buying school supplies or office furniture. But you'll definitely hear it in everyday situations, especially when shopping.
- Markets: This is probably the number one place you'll hear and use 砍价. From fresh produce to clothing, bargaining is part of the experience.
- Small shops: Many smaller, independent stores will be open to bargaining, particularly if you're buying multiple items.
- Secondhand stores/online platforms: If you're buying used goods, 砍价 is almost always expected.
§ Real-Life Examples
Let's look at some examples to show you how 砍价 is used.
我们去砍价吧！这个价格太高了。(Let's go bargain! This price is too high.)
This is a common phrase to use when you think the initial price is unreasonable.
你可以试试砍价，老板人很好。(You can try to bargain, the boss is very nice.)
Someone might suggest this to you, encouraging you to negotiate.
我不太会砍价。(I'm not very good at bargaining.)
It's okay if you're new to it! Practice makes perfect.
他花了一个小时才把价格砍下来。(He spent an hour to bring the price down through bargaining.)
Here, 砍 (kǎn) is used alone, but the meaning of bargaining is clear from the context.
§ Practical Tips for Using 砍价 (kǎnjià)
- Be polite: Even though you're negotiating, always be respectful. A smile goes a long way.
- Start lower: Offer a price lower than what you're actually willing to pay. This leaves room for negotiation.
- Don't be afraid to walk away: If you can't agree on a price, it's okay to leave. Sometimes, the seller will call you back.
- Learn some basic numbers: Knowing your numbers in Chinese is essential for effective bargaining.
Mastering 砍价 will not only save you money but also immerse you deeper into Chinese culture. So next time you're shopping, give it a try!
§ Don't Just Say "Kǎnjià" (砍价)
Many beginners think they can just walk into a store and say "kǎnjià" (砍价) to start bargaining. While the word itself means "to bargain," using it in isolation is often too blunt and can come across as rude or demanding. It's like walking into a shop in English and just saying "Bargain!" It doesn't sound natural.
§ Forgetting Context: When to Bargain and When Not To
Not all places in China are open to bargaining. A common mistake is trying to "kǎnjià" (砍价) in places where prices are fixed. This can be awkward for both you and the vendor. Generally, you can bargain in:
- Small street markets
- Souvenir shops
- Some clothing or electronics stalls
- Used goods markets
However, you should generally NOT try to bargain in:
- Supermarkets
- Department stores
- Restaurants (unless it's a very small, informal eatery and you're buying a large quantity)
- Convenience stores
- Shops with clearly marked, fixed prices (unless you're buying a very large quantity or making a special request)
If you're unsure, observe how locals interact. If you see others bargaining, it's probably okay. If everyone is just paying the listed price, then don't try to haggle.
§ Not Knowing How to Ask Politely
Instead of just blurting out "kǎnjià," learn a few polite phrases to initiate bargaining. Here are some examples:
这个可以砍价吗？
- Translation Hint
- Can this be bargained?
能便宜一点吗？
- Translation Hint
- Can it be a bit cheaper?
最低多少钱？
- Translation Hint
- What's the lowest price?
§ Being Too Aggressive or Giving Up Too Easily
Bargaining is often seen as a friendly negotiation, not a battle. A common mistake is either being too aggressive and demanding a ridiculously low price, or giving up after the first refusal. Find a balance. Start a bit lower than what you're willing to pay, but don't insult the vendor with an offer that's too low. Be prepared to walk away if the price isn't right, but also be open to counter-offers.
§ Not Knowing Your Target Price
Before you start to "kǎnjià" (砍价), have a rough idea of what you think the item is worth or what you're willing to pay. If you have no target price in mind, you might end up paying too much or getting frustrated because you don't know when to stop. Do a quick mental calculation of a fair price in your home currency and convert it to RMB.
How Formal Is It?
"购买大宗商品时，客户通常会要求议价。 (When purchasing bulk goods, customers often request to negotiate prices.)"
"在市场买东西时，我喜欢砍价。 (When shopping at the market, I like to bargain.)"
"这件衣服太贵了，你得帮我杀杀价。 (This dress is too expensive, you need to help me haggle down the price.)"
"双十一的时候，大家都在撸价买东西。 (During Singles' Day, everyone is trying to get the lowest prices when shopping.)"
أمثلة حسب المستوى
这个多少钱？
How much is this?
Basic question to ask about price.
太贵了。
Too expensive.
A common phrase when bargaining.
便宜一点可以吗？
Can it be a bit cheaper?
Polite way to ask for a discount.
我能砍价吗？
Can I bargain?
Directly asking if bargaining is allowed.
这个价格最低了。
This is the lowest price.
Seller's response, often indicating no more room to bargain.
我们砍价吧。
Let's bargain.
Suggesting to start bargaining.
我可以付10块钱。
I can pay 10 yuan.
Stating your offer during bargaining.
我喜欢这个，但是太贵了。
I like this, but it's too expensive.
Expressing interest while also indicating the price is too high.
在中国的市场，砍价是很普遍的，如果你不砍价，可能会买贵。
Bargaining is common in Chinese markets; if you don't bargain, you might overpay.
我喜欢砍价，每次都能省下不少钱。
I enjoy bargaining; I save a lot of money every time.
她很擅长砍价，总能以最低的价格买到心仪的商品。
She's good at bargaining and always gets what she wants at the lowest price.
这件衣服标价太高了，我们去和老板砍砍价吧。
This clothing is overpriced; let's go bargain with the boss.
即使在大型商场，有时候也有砍价的空间。
Even in large shopping malls, there's sometimes room to bargain.
他不习惯砍价，觉得那样很麻烦。
He's not used to bargaining; he finds it troublesome.
如果你想买到物美价廉的东西，一定要学会砍价。
If you want to buy good quality items at a low price, you must learn to bargain.
经过一番激烈的砍价，我们终于以满意的价格买下了那件古董。
After some intense bargaining, we finally bought that antique at a satisfactory price.
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
"讨价还价 (tǎo jià huán jià)"
To bargain; to haggle back and forth
她在市场上喜欢讨价还价。 (She likes to haggle in the market.)
neutral"讲价 (jiǎng jià)"
To bargain; to negotiate a price
这件衣服太贵了，你可以讲讲价。 (This dress is too expensive, you can try to bargain.)
neutral"杀价 (shā jià)"
To cut the price; to drive down the price (often implies a more aggressive bargaining style)
他总是试图杀价。 (He always tries to cut the price.)
informal"还价 (huán jià)"
To make a counter-offer; to bargain back
卖家给了一个价格，我试着还价。 (The seller gave a price, and I tried to counter-offer.)
neutral"便宜点 (pián yi diǎn)"
A bit cheaper (a common phrase used when bargaining)
可以便宜点吗？ (Can it be a bit cheaper?)
informal"能不能少点 (néng bù néng shǎo diǎn)"
Can it be a little less? (another common bargaining phrase)
这个价钱太高了，能不能少点？ (This price is too high, can it be a little less?)
informal"一口价 (yī kǒu jià)"
Fixed price; non-negotiable price
这是我的最低一口价。 (This is my lowest fixed price.)
neutral"漫天要价 (màn tiān yào jià)"
To ask an exorbitant price; to ask sky-high prices
那个小贩总是漫天要价。 (That vendor always asks for exorbitant prices.)
neutral"就地还钱 (jiù dì huán qián)"
To bargain on the spot (literally 'return money on the spot')
我们应该就地还钱，不要让他们赚太多。 (We should bargain on the spot, don't let them earn too much.)
informal"物美价廉 (wù měi jià lián)"
Good quality and cheap prices (often the goal when bargaining)
我喜欢买物美价廉的东西。 (I like to buy things that are good quality and cheap.)
neutralكيفية الاستخدام
When you want to bargain in Chinese, the most direct and useful phrase is 砍价 (kǎnjià). You can use it in a few ways:
- You can say “可以砍价吗？” (kěyǐ kǎnjià ma?) which means “Can I bargain?” or “Is bargaining possible?” This is good for opening the negotiation.
- If you want to suggest a lower price, you can say something like “能便宜点吗？” (néng piányi diǎn ma?) which translates to “Can it be a bit cheaper?” or “最低多少钱？” (zuì dī duōshao qián?) meaning “What’s the lowest price?” while indicating your intent to 砍价.
- You'll often hear people say “我们砍砍价吧” (wǒmen kǎn kǎnjià ba), which is a friendly way to suggest, “Let’s haggle a bit.”
A common mistake for English speakers is to directly translate “discount” or “give a discount.” While you might understand 打折 (dǎzhé) as “to give a discount,” 砍价 specifically refers to the act of *you* negotiating a lower price. 打折 is usually something the seller offers, whereas 砍价 is something the buyer initiates. Don't just say “便宜” (piányi) on its own. While 便宜 means “cheap,” saying it without context like “能便宜点吗？” might sound demanding. Always use it in a full sentence or phrase that clearly indicates you want to bargain.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Imagine a lumberjack **砍** (kǎn, to chop) down prices with his axe! He's **价** (jià, price) at every store, making sure he gets the best deal. So, **砍价** means to chop down the price, to bargain!
ربط بصري
Picture a bustling Chinese market. People are gesturing, laughing, and pointing at goods. In the middle, you see someone energetically trying to get a lower price on a beautiful silk scarf. They're smiling and pointing to the money in their hand, clearly 'chopping' down the price. This lively scene represents **砍价**.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
You're at a souvenir shop in Beijing. You see a really cool fan, but it's a bit pricey. How would you use **砍价** to get a better deal? Write out a short dialogue!
اختبر نفسك 24 أسئلة
她想买那件衣服，所以她去 ___。
The sentence means 'She wants to buy that dress, so she goes to ___.' '砍价' (kǎnjià) means to bargain, which fits the context of buying clothes. The other options are irrelevant.
在商店里，你可以和店主 ___。
The sentence means 'In the store, you can ___ with the owner.' '砍价' (kǎnjià) means to bargain, which is common practice in some stores. The other options are not typical activities with a shop owner.
这件T恤太贵了，我想 ___ 一下。
The sentence means 'This T-shirt is too expensive, I want to ___ a bit.' '砍价' (kǎnjià) means to bargain, which is appropriate when something is considered too expensive. The other options are unrelated to the price.
他喜欢 ___，所以他买东西总是很便宜。
The sentence means 'He likes to ___, so he always buys things cheaply.' '砍价' (kǎnjià) means to bargain, which directly leads to buying things cheaply. The other options do not explain why he gets cheap prices.
请问，我可以 ___ 吗？
The sentence means 'Excuse me, can I ___?' In a shopping context, asking '可以砍价吗？' (kěyǐ kǎnjià ma?) is a common way to ask 'Can I bargain?'. The other options are not fitting for this question.
如果你想省钱，你应该学着 ___。
The sentence means 'If you want to save money, you should learn to ___.' '砍价' (kǎnjià) means to bargain, which is a direct way to save money. The other options are hobbies and not related to saving money in this context.
在买大件商品时，很多人喜欢跟店家___，希望能拿到更好的价格。
这句话的意思是“在购买大件商品时，很多人喜欢和店家讨价还价，希望能得到更好的价格”。“砍价”最符合语境。
她觉得这件衣服太贵了，所以决定试试___。
语境表示衣服价格高，需要尝试降低价格。故“砍价”正确。
市场上的很多小摊位都可以___，这是购物的乐趣之一。
“讲价”是“砍价”的同义词，指商议价格。在口语中，也常用于此场景。
如果你想省钱，在旅游购物时别忘了___。
为了省钱，在购物时需要“砍价”。
他___的技巧很高，每次都能用很低的价格买到好东西。
“还价”是“砍价”的同义词，指在买卖中还价。此处最符合语境。
在一些街边小店，___是很普遍的现象，店家也习惯了。
在街边小店，讨价还价是很常见的情况。
This sentence structure emphasizes the effort put into bargaining.
The phrase '买东西砍价' is a common way to say 'to bargain when buying things'.
This sentence uses '一门艺术和技巧' to describe bargaining as an art and skill.
Imagine you are an antique dealer. A customer is trying to haggle for a lower price on a rare porcelain vase. Write a short dialogue (3-4 sentences for each person) where you skillfully use '砍价' to negotiate the best possible price while making the customer feel valued.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
顾客：老板，这件青花瓷瓶我很喜欢，但是价格有点高，能砍砍价吗？ 你：这位客人真是好眼光！这件可是明代的珍品，升值空间很大。当然，既然您真心喜欢，我也可以给您一个收藏价。您心里价位是多少呢？ 顾客：我觉得八万块比较合适，您看怎么样？ 你：八万块确实有点低了，这件藏品市价至少都在十万以上。不过看您这么有诚意，我最多可以给您九万五。这已经是最低的了，不能再砍了。 顾客：好吧，九万五就九万五，成交！
You are a savvy traveler in a bustling night market in China. You found a handcrafted souvenir you absolutely love, but the vendor's initial price is exorbitant. Write a persuasive argument (4-5 sentences) to the vendor, using '砍价' to explain why they should lower the price. Focus on cultural nuances of bargaining.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
老板，您这件手工艺品真漂亮，我一眼就看中了。不过这个价格，对我们游客来说确实有点高了。来夜市就是要体验砍价的乐趣嘛，您看，我们远道而来，就想带一件有特色的纪念品回去。您就给个实在价吧，也让我感受一下中国人民的热情，好吗？大家开心最重要，咱们也算交个朋友。
Write a short reflective piece (5-6 sentences) on the art of '砍价' in different cultural contexts. Compare and contrast how bargaining might be perceived or conducted in China versus a Western country, considering social norms and expectations.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在许多西方国家，价格通常是固定的，砍价并不常见，甚至可能被视为无礼。然而，在中国，尤其是在街头市场或小商店，砍价是一种被广泛接受的社交互动，甚至可以说是一种乐趣。它不仅仅是关于价格的博弈，更是买卖双方建立联系、展现诚意和幽默感的过程。成功的砍价往往能带来一种成就感，而卖家也可能因此对买家产生好感。了解这种文化差异对于外国人来说至关重要，它能帮助他们更好地融入当地生活。
根据文章，以下哪项不是“砍价”在中国旅行中的重要性？
Read this passage:
在中国旅行时，掌握“砍价”的技巧非常重要。无论是在购买纪念品、服装还是其他商品时，很多时候价格都不是固定的。本地人通常会从很高的开价开始，然后通过反复的协商来达成最终交易。这种过程不仅仅是为了省钱，更是一种文化体验，能够增进买卖双方的互动和理解。有些游客可能会觉得砍价很麻烦，但如果掌握得当，这会成为旅行中很有趣的一部分，甚至能交到一些朋友。
根据文章，以下哪项不是“砍价”在中国旅行中的重要性？
文章中提到砍价是为了省钱、增进文化体验和促进人际互动，但没有提到提升购物效率。相反，砍价过程可能会花费更多时间。
文章中提到砍价是为了省钱、增进文化体验和促进人际互动，但没有提到提升购物效率。相反，砍价过程可能会花费更多时间。
小李在砍价过程中运用了哪些策略？
Read this passage:
小李最近搬了新家，需要添置很多家具。他听说二手市场可以砍价，于是周末便去了。他看中了一张实木餐桌，老板开价三千元。小李凭借自己多年的砍价经验，先是指出餐桌的一些小瑕疵，然后表示自己是真心想买，但预算有限。经过一番唇枪舌战，最终以两千元的价格成交。小李对这次砍价成果非常满意，觉得既省了钱，又锻炼了自己的口才。
小李在砍价过程中运用了哪些策略？
文章中提到小李“先是指出餐桌的一些小瑕疵，然后表示自己是真心想买，但预算有限”，这符合选项C的描述。
文章中提到小李“先是指出餐桌的一些小瑕疵，然后表示自己是真心想买，但预算有限”，这符合选项C的描述。
线上“砍价”与线下“砍价”的主要区别是什么？
Read this passage:
在中国的电商平台上，虽然商品价格通常是固定的，但在一些个人卖家或小店铺中，买家仍然有机会通过私信与卖家协商价格，这也可以视为一种“砍价”行为。不过，这种线上的砍价与线下有所不同，通常需要买家提供合理的理由，比如一次性购买多件商品，或者商品的某些细节不完美等。卖家也会根据实际情况进行考虑，但幅度一般不会像线下市场那么大。
线上“砍价”与线下“砍价”的主要区别是什么？
文章指出，线上砍价“通常需要买家提供合理的理由”，并且“幅度一般不会像线下市场那么大”，因此选项B是正确的。
文章指出，线上砍价“通常需要买家提供合理的理由”，并且“幅度一般不会像线下市场那么大”，因此选项B是正确的。
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
砍价 is essential for getting good deals while shopping in China.
- negotiate price
- haggle
- get a discount
مثال
买东西的时候，我喜欢跟卖家砍价。
محتوى ذو صلة
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
عبارات ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات daily_life
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
