多少钱一斤？

Point at what you want. Say the phrase clearly. The vendor will give you a number. You can add the item name at the start. For example, 苹果多少钱一斤？ (How much are apples per jin?). It is simple, direct, and very effective. Don't worry about complex grammar here. Just point and ask.

You will use this daily at wet markets. Use it at roadside fruit stalls. Use it at the supermarket deli counter. It works whenever items are sold by weight. It is perfect for casual street food scenarios. Even in fancy boutiques selling loose tea, this phrase fits.

Do not use this for items sold by the piece. Don't ask this for a single bottle of water. Avoid using it for clothes or electronics. If you are in a high-end restaurant, prices are usually per dish. Asking the price per weight for a steak might seem odd. Unless, of course, you are picking a live fish from a tank!

In China, the metric system is official, but the jin is king. Most people think in jin, not kilograms. It makes prices look cheaper than they are per kilo! Bargaining often starts right after you hear the answer. It is a social dance between buyer and seller. Knowing this phrase shows you aren't just a lost tourist.

If you want to be super brief, just say 怎么卖？ (How is this sold?). In Southern China, some might use 公斤 (kilogram) in formal settings. You might also hear 这个多少钱？ (How much is this?). But 多少钱一斤 remains the classic market standard. It sounds authentic and gets you the real 'local' price.