In 15 Seconds
- Literally means restocking inventory for a business or shop.
- Used colloquially to describe buying items in large quantities.
- Commonly applied to hobbies, groceries, or major sales events.
Meaning
It literally means a shopkeeper buying inventory for their store, but nowadays, it's a fun way to say you're going on a massive shopping spree.
Key Examples
3 of 6Grocery shopping with a roommate
走吧，我们去超市进货。
Let's go, we're going to the supermarket to restock.
Buying many books at a fair
书展太好逛了，我进了很多货。
The book fair was great; I bought a ton of stuff.
A boss talking to a supplier
王经理，我们下周要进一批新货。
Manager Wang, we need to bring in a new batch of stock next week.
Cultural Background
Originally a dry logistics term, it exploded in popularity on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu. It reflects a shift where young consumers jokingly view their hobby collections or grocery hauls as 'business inventory.' It's particularly popular during major shopping festivals like 618 or Double 11.
The 'Boss' Vibe
When you use this with friends, you're acting like the 'boss' of your own house. It makes a boring chore sound like a big business move.
Quantity Matters
Don't use it for small things. If you buy one pencil, saying `进货` sounds weirdly sarcastic unless that's the joke you're making.
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means restocking inventory for a business or shop.
- Used colloquially to describe buying items in large quantities.
- Commonly applied to hobbies, groceries, or major sales events.
What It Means
At its heart, 进货 is a business term. It describes a merchant restocking their shelves. Think of a convenience store owner buying crates of soda. However, the internet changed everything. Now, people use it to describe personal shopping. It implies you aren't just buying one thing. You are buying in bulk. It suggests a mission to gather supplies. It feels more purposeful than just 'shopping.'
How To Use It
You use it like a standard verb-object phrase. You can say you are going to 进货. You can also mention where you are going. It works great for grocery runs. It works even better for hobby supplies. If you buy ten books at once, that is 进货. If you buy five lipsticks, that is 进货. It adds a layer of humor to your spending habits.
When To Use It
Use it when you have a big shopping list. Use it when visiting a wholesale market. It is perfect for Costco or IKEA trips. Use it when talking to friends about your hobbies. If you are a gamer buying many titles, use it. If you are a baker buying 20kg of flour, use it. It makes you sound like a pro collector. It turns a chore into a funny business operation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a single, small item. Buying one apple is not 进货. Do not use it in very high-end luxury settings. You don't 'restock' a single Chanel bag. Avoid it in formal business meetings unless you actually mean inventory. It is too casual for a serious corporate report. Don't use it if you are window shopping. You must actually buy the goods!
Cultural Background
China has a massive e-commerce and wholesale culture. Markets like Yiwu are famous for 'restocking' the world. Young people adopted this 'boss' language for fun. It reflects the 'hoarding' culture seen during big sales. Events like 'Double 11' (Singles' Day) are peak 进货 season. It turns the consumer into a 'business owner' of their own life. It is a playful nod to China's 'World's Factory' identity.
Common Variations
去进货(Going to restock/shop)进了一堆货(Restocked a whole pile of stuff)疯狂进货(Crazy restocking/shopping spree)进货式旅游(Shopping-style travel - where you only go to buy things)
Usage Notes
In a professional setting, it is strictly for inventory management. In social settings, it is a humorous way to describe a large personal purchase.
The 'Boss' Vibe
When you use this with friends, you're acting like the 'boss' of your own house. It makes a boring chore sound like a big business move.
Quantity Matters
Don't use it for small things. If you buy one pencil, saying `进货` sounds weirdly sarcastic unless that's the joke you're making.
The 'Scan' Culture
In China, people often 'scan' (扫货) or 'restock' (进货) at Hong Kong or Japanese pharmacies. It's a specific type of high-volume tourism.
Examples
6走吧，我们去超市进货。
Let's go, we're going to the supermarket to restock.
Treating a big grocery run like a business supply mission.
书展太好逛了，我进了很多货。
The book fair was great; I bought a ton of stuff.
Using the term for hobby items like books.
王经理，我们下周要进一批新货。
Manager Wang, we need to bring in a new batch of stock next week.
This is the original, literal business usage.
看看我今天的进货成果！
Look at my 'restocking' results from today!
Commonly used in 'haul' videos or posts.
双十一到了，大家都在疯狂进货。
Double 11 is here; everyone is on a crazy shopping spree.
Refers to the act of buying many things during a sale.
很久没买衣服了，今天终于进货了。
I haven't bought clothes in ages; I finally restocked today.
Expresses a sense of satisfaction after a long wait.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to describe buying a lot of snacks for a party.
我们要开派对，得去超市___点零食。
`进货` fits because you are buying a large quantity ('stocking up') for an event.
How would a shop owner say they are getting new inventory?
店里的衣服卖完了，我明天要去___。
`进货` is the correct term for a merchant obtaining new stock to sell.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '进货'
Buying 20 lipsticks at once.
进货式购物
A big grocery trip to Costco.
去超市进货
A business buying inventory.
公司进货流程
When to say '进货'
Wholesale Market
Actual business stock
Supermarket
Monthly grocery haul
Hobby Store
Buying 10 model kits
Online Sale
Filling the cart on 11.11
Practice Bank
2 exercises我们要开派对，得去超市___点零食。
`进货` fits because you are buying a large quantity ('stocking up') for an event.
店里的衣服卖完了，我明天要去___。
`进货` is the correct term for a merchant obtaining new stock to sell.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually no. 进货 implies a 'batch' or 'stock.' If you buy one thing, it sounds like you're joking about how important that one thing is.
Mostly, yes. You wouldn't really use it for digital services, though some people might jokingly use it for buying many games in a Steam sale.
Not at all! If you tell a shopkeeper 我来进货了, they will likely think you are a loyal customer or just being funny.
买东西 is generic 'buying things.' 进货 is specifically 'buying stock' and implies a much larger volume.
Yes, if your job involves inventory. If you work in an office and buy 500 pens, you can say you are 进货 for the office.
It's a verb-object phrase. You can say 进点货 (get some stock) or 进了一批货 (brought in a batch of stock).
The business meaning is old, but the slang meaning is very modern and trendy among Gen Z and Millennials.
In a literal business sense, yes. In the slang sense, no—it just means you're buying a lot for yourself.
That means 'wholesale price' or 'cost price.' It's the price the shopkeeper pays before marking it up for you.
Absolutely. A big trip to a warehouse club like Sam's Club is the perfect time to say 去进货.
Related Phrases
扫货 (To sweep up goods/shopping spree)
囤货 (To hoard/stockpile goods)
剁手 (To 'cut one's hand' - spending too much money)
补货 (To replenish stock/restock)
带货 (To promote/sell goods via livestreaming)
