In 15 Seconds
- Focuses on the percentage you pay, not the discount amount.
- The number represents tenths of the original price.
- Used everywhere from street markets to luxury shopping malls.
Meaning
In Chinese, sales are calculated by the percentage you actually pay. 'Da ba zhe' means you pay 80% of the original price, which equals a 20% discount.
Key Examples
3 of 6Asking a shopkeeper for a discount
老板，这件衣服能打八折吗？
Boss, can I get 20% off on this shirt?
Seeing a sign in a mall window
全场商品打八折。
Everything in the store is 20% off.
A professional setting discussing a promotion
为了促销，我们可以给新客户打八折。
To promote sales, we can give new customers a 20% discount.
Cultural Background
The 'zhe' system is used everywhere, from supermarkets to online shopping platforms like Taobao. The same system is used, but sometimes people might use '折' in more casual conversation.
The 10-Rule
Always subtract the number from 10 to find the discount percentage. 10 - 8 = 2 (20% off).
In 15 Seconds
- Focuses on the percentage you pay, not the discount amount.
- The number represents tenths of the original price.
- Used everywhere from street markets to luxury shopping malls.
What It Means
In the West, we focus on what is taken off. In China, we focus on what remains. Da ba zhe means you pay 80% of the price. If you see da jiu zhe, you pay 90%. It is a simple math flip. Lower numbers mean bigger savings for you.
How To Use It
You use this like a verb phrase. You can ask a shopkeeper, "Can you da zhe?" They might reply with a specific number. Put the number between da and zhe. It is the most common way to talk about sales.
When To Use It
Use it when shopping at a mall. Use it when bargaining at a street market. You will see it on bright red posters in windows. It is perfect for checking if a deal is real. Even high-end boutiques use this phrasing during seasonal clearances.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for fixed-price items like bus tickets. Avoid using it in high-pressure corporate negotiations for services. It sounds a bit too "retail" for a million-dollar contract. Also, do not confuse da ba zhe (80% cost) with 80% off. That would be da er zhe!
Cultural Background
The character zhe refers to folding or reducing. Historically, it relates to folding a price tag or ledger. Chinese culture values the art of the deal. Bargaining is often expected in smaller shops. Knowing this phrase shows you are not a clueless tourist. It shows you understand the local system of value.
Common Variations
You will often see da te zhe for a special sale. Da liu zhe means 40% off. If a shop is closing, they might da san zhe (70% off). Sometimes people just say da ji zhe? to ask "What is the discount?"
Usage Notes
This is a neutral expression used in all levels of society. Just remember the math is inverted compared to English!
The 10-Rule
Always subtract the number from 10 to find the discount percentage. 10 - 8 = 2 (20% off).
Examples
6老板，这件衣服能打八折吗？
Boss, can I get 20% off on this shirt?
A polite way to start a bargain in a small shop.
全场商品打八折。
Everything in the store is 20% off.
Standard retail signage found in any Chinese city.
为了促销，我们可以给新客户打八折。
To promote sales, we can give new customers a 20% discount.
Used here to describe a business strategy.
快来！这家店今天打八折！
Come quick! This shop is 20% off today!
Excited tone used in casual messaging.
原价一万，打八折还是要八千，我还是买不起。
Original price is 10k, 20% off is still 8k, I still can't afford it.
Self-deprecating humor about one's budget.
才打八折？太贵了。
Only 20% off? That's too expensive.
Expressing that the discount isn't deep enough.
Test Yourself
If an item is 100 yuan and the sign says '打八折', how much do you pay?
How much do you pay?
打八折 means you pay 80% of the price.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesHow much do you pay?
打八折 means you pay 80% of the price.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, exactly! You pay 80%, so you save 20%.
Related Phrases
打折
synonymTo give a discount
折上折
builds onAdditional discount
