太贵了。

You can use this phrase as a standalone exclamation. When a vendor tells you a price, just look shocked and say 太贵了!. You can also put a subject in front of it. For example, 这个太贵了 means 'This one is too expensive.' It is one of the easiest grammar patterns to master. Just remember to keep the 了 at the end for natural flow.

Use it whenever you feel a price is unfair. It is essential at local street markets. Use it when browsing clothes with friends. It is also fine in casual restaurants if the bill seems wrong. You can even use it jokingly when a friend asks for an expensive favor. It shows you are savvy and not easily fooled.

Avoid saying this loudly in high-end luxury boutiques. In very formal business negotiations, it might sound too blunt. Instead of 太贵了, professionals might say the price is 'a bit high.' Do not use it if you actually intend to pay the full price immediately. It signals that you want a discount or you are walking away. Also, avoid using it for things that aren't about money, like 'expensive' emotions.

Bargaining is a social art form in many parts of China. Saying 太贵了 is often the opening move in a dance. It is not considered rude in markets; it is expected. Vendors often start with a high 'foreigner price' or 'tourist price.' By saying this, you signal that you know the game. It shows you value your hard-earned money. It is a bridge to a conversation about the 'real' price.

If you want to be more polite, try 有一点贵 (a little expensive). To be more dramatic, try 太贵了吧! (Too expensive, right?!). If you are truly horrified by the price, you can say 贵死了 (expensively dead). For a more modern vibe, young people might just say 好贵 (so expensive). Each variation changes the 'temperature' of your complaint.