促销
促销 in 30 Seconds
- Means 'sales promotion' or 'special offer'.
- Used in retail and e-commerce contexts.
- Can be a noun (a sale) or verb (to promote).
- Broader than just a discount (打折).
- Linguistic Breakdown
- The morphological structure of this word is highly logical, combining a verb of action with a noun of commerce, creating a compound noun that can also function as a verb in specific contexts.
这家超市正在搞促销。
双十一是全年最大的促销活动。
- Cultural Context
- Chinese consumers often pride themselves on their ability to navigate complex promotional rules to maximize their savings, turning shopping into a strategic game.
我们需要制定一个新的促销方案。
国庆节期间有很多促销。
- Practical Application
- Next time you are in a Chinese supermarket, look for the dedicated promotional aisles, usually marked with large banners and enthusiastic staff members offering free samples.
这次促销的效果非常好。
- Noun Usage
- When used as a noun, it is frequently paired with support verbs like 搞 (gǎo - to do/to engage in) or 进行 (jìnxíng - to conduct/to carry out).
商场周末会搞促销。
他们正在促销新款手机。
- Adjectival Modification
- The word can also act as an attributive modifier, functioning similarly to an adjective in English, to describe other nouns related to sales and marketing.
这个商品的促销价很便宜。
由于促销,店里人山人海。
- Negative Forms
- To express the absence of a promotion, you would typically use 没搞 (méi gǎo) or 没有 (méiyǒu) before the word, as in 这家店今天没有促销 (This store has no promotions today).
如果停止促销,销量会下降。
- Supermarkets and Malls
- When you walk into a large Chinese supermarket like RT-Mart or Carrefour, you are often greeted by the sound of employees using portable microphones or automated loudspeakers announcing the daily deals.
超市广播里一直播放着促销信息。
淘宝的首页满是促销广告。
- Live Streaming E-commerce
- Live commerce (直播带货) has revolutionized retail in China. Hosts like Austin Li (Li Jiaqi) constantly use this terminology to describe the exclusive deals they have negotiated for their viewers.
直播间里的促销力度非常大。
经理要求我们总结上个月的促销数据。
- Holiday Marketing
- Traditional holidays like Chinese New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival are also prime times for these activities, focusing on gift boxes and celebratory goods.
春节前夕,各大品牌都在疯狂促销。
- The Discount Distinction
- While a discount is a type of promotion, not all promotions are discounts. Using the terms interchangeably can lead to imprecise communication.
买一送一是促销,不是打折。
我不喜欢接听推销电话,但我喜欢看促销广告。
- Grammar Pitfalls
- Do not try to separate the characters with aspect particles like 了 (le) or 过 (guo) in the middle. Always place them after the entire word.
他们昨天促销了很多商品。
销售额的增长得益于这次促销。
- Contextual Accuracy
- Always ensure you are using the right word for the specific type of commercial activity you are describing to maintain professional clarity.
不要把正常的销售和短期的促销混为一谈。
- Direct Price Reductions
- When the focus is purely on lowering the price, several specific terms are used instead of the broader concept of a promotional event.
这件衣服现在打五折,比平时的促销还划算。
超市的特价区总是有很多促销商品。
- Marketing and Strategy
- In a business context, there are broader terms that encompass promotions as part of a larger strategy.
成功的营销不仅依赖于促销,还需要品牌建设。
那个推销员一直向我推荐没有促销的产品。
- E-commerce Specifics
- In the digital age, words like 秒杀 (miǎoshā - flash sale/sec-kill) and 拼团 (pīntuán - group buying) have become highly specific forms of promotional activities.
秒杀是目前最受欢迎的促销方式之一。
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character 销 (xiāo) has the metal radical (钅) because its earliest meaning was to melt or fuse metal. Over centuries, 'melting away' became a metaphor for goods 'disappearing' from a shop as they were sold, leading to its modern meaning of 'sales'.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'c' as an English 'k' or soft 'c' (s). It must be a 'ts' sound.
- Pronouncing 'x' as an English 'ks' or hard 'sh'. It is a palatal fricative, softer than 'sh'.
- Getting the tones wrong: saying 'cǔ' (3rd tone) instead of 'cù' (4th tone).
- Mispronouncing 'iao' as two separate syllables instead of a smooth triphthong.
- Dropping the 'i' in 'xiao', making it sound like 'xao'.
Difficulty Rating
The characters are common, but 销 has many strokes. Easy to recognize in context.
Writing 销 from memory can be tricky for beginners due to the metal radical and right-side components.
Pronunciation requires mastering the 'c' and 'x' sounds and the 4th-1st tone combination.
Often heard in loud environments, but the context (shopping) makes it highly predictable.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb + Object Structure
搞促销 (to do a promotion). In Chinese, abstract nouns often need a 'dummy' verb to function in a sentence.
Noun as Adjective (Attributive)
促销价 (promotional price). Nouns can directly modify other nouns by being placed in front of them.
Time Phrases with 期间
促销期间 (during the promotion). Time phrases usually act as adverbials and are placed before the main verb.
Expressing Purpose with 为了
为了增加销量,他们搞了促销 (In order to increase sales, they ran a promotion).
Passive Voice with 被
我被促销广告吸引了 (I was attracted by the promotional ad).
Examples by Level
超市有促销。
The supermarket has a promotion.
Basic Subject + 有 (to have) + Noun structure.
这个促销吗?
Is this on sale?
Using 吗 to form a simple yes/no question.
今天没有促销。
There is no promotion today.
Using 没有 to negate 有.
促销很好。
The promotion is very good.
Simple Subject + 很 + Adjective structure.
我喜欢促销。
I like sales.
Basic Subject + Verb + Object structure.
这是促销商品。
This is a promotional product.
Using 促销 as a modifier before a noun (商品).
促销在哪里?
Where is the promotion?
Asking for location using 在哪里.
大促销!
Big sale!
Adding 大 (big) to emphasize the scale.
这家店周末搞促销。
This store is having a sale on the weekend.
Using the colloquial verb 搞 with 促销.
促销价是多少钱?
How much is the promotional price?
Using 促销价 as a compound noun.
因为有促销,所以人很多。
Because there is a promotion, there are many people.
Using the 因为...所以... (because... so...) conjunction pattern.
我买了很多促销的衣服。
I bought a lot of clothes on sale.
Using 促销的 to modify a noun (衣服).
促销活动明天结束。
The promotional event ends tomorrow.
Using 促销活动 to specify the event.
那个手机现在不促销了。
That phone is no longer on sale now.
Using 不...了 to indicate a change of state.
你想去看看促销吗?
Do you want to go see the sale?
Using 想 (want to) and reduplication of verb 看看.
他们在网上做促销。
They are doing a promotion online.
Using 在网上 to indicate the location of the action.
双十一是最大的网络促销活动。
Double 11 is the biggest online promotional event.
Using superlatives (最大的) and complex noun phrases.
打折和促销不一样。
Discounting and sales promotions are not the same.
Comparing two concepts using A和B不一样.
为了增加销量,经理决定开展促销。
In order to increase sales volume, the manager decided to launch a promotion.
Using 为了 (in order to) to express purpose.
这种促销手段非常有效。
This kind of promotional method is very effective.
Using 手段 (method/means) in a business context.
消费者很容易被促销广告吸引。
Consumers are easily attracted by promotional advertisements.
Using the passive voice marker 被.
买一送一是最常见的促销方式。
Buy one get one free is the most common promotional method.
Introducing specific types of promotions (买一送一).
促销期间,很多商品都卖光了。
During the promotional period, many goods were sold out.
Using 期间 to indicate a specific time frame.
他们正在大力促销这款新车。
They are vigorously promoting this new car.
Using 促销 as a verb with an adverbial modifier (大力).
制定一个成功的促销方案需要深入的市场调研。
Formulating a successful promotional plan requires in-depth market research.
Using formal business vocabulary (制定, 方案, 调研).
过度频繁的促销可能会降低消费者的购买欲望。
Overly frequent promotions might reduce consumers' desire to purchase.
Expressing complex cause-and-effect relationships.
电商平台通过算法为用户提供个性化的促销信息。
E-commerce platforms provide personalized promotional information to users through algorithms.
Using 通过 (through/by means of) to explain a process.
这次促销活动的预算超标了。
The budget for this promotional event exceeded the limit.
Using financial terminology (预算, 超标).
品牌商希望通过跨界合作来进行联合促销。
Brand owners hope to conduct joint promotions through cross-industry cooperation.
Discussing advanced marketing strategies (跨界合作, 联合).
虚假促销不仅违法,还会严重损害企业声誉。
False promotions are not only illegal but will also severely damage corporate reputation.
Using the 不仅...还... (not only... but also...) structure.
销售人员必须清楚了解所有的促销规则。
Sales personnel must clearly understand all promotional rules.
Using modal verbs (必须) for requirements.
限时秒杀是一种利用消费者心理的促销策略。
Limited-time flash sales are a promotional strategy that utilizes consumer psychology.
Defining a concept using 是...的 structure.
在激烈的市场竞争中,价格战和恶性促销往往是两败俱伤的。
In fierce market competition, price wars and vicious promotions often result in mutual destruction.
Using advanced idioms (两败俱伤) and complex modifiers.
企业应将促销视为短期刺激手段,而非长期发展的核心动力。
Enterprises should view promotions as a short-term stimulus method, rather than the core driving force for long-term development.
Using formal comparative structures (将...视为..., 而非...).
大数据分析使得精准营销和动态促销成为可能。
Big data analysis makes precision marketing and dynamic promotions possible.
Discussing technological impacts on business practices.
监管部门加大了对电商平台“先提价后打折”等欺诈性促销行为的打击力度。
Regulatory authorities have increased their crackdown on fraudulent promotional behaviors by e-commerce platforms, such as 'raising prices before discounting'.
Using formal bureaucratic language (监管部门, 打击力度).
评估促销效果不能仅看短期销量,还要考量客户留存率和品牌忠诚度。
Evaluating the effectiveness of a promotion cannot solely look at short-term sales volume; it must also consider customer retention rate and brand loyalty.
Using correlative conjunctions (不能仅..., 还要...).
这种饥饿营销式的促销手段,虽然能引发一时的轰动,但容易引起消费者的反感。
This hunger-marketing style of promotional method, although able to cause a temporary sensation, easily provokes consumer resentment.
Using concessive clauses (虽然...但...) with advanced vocabulary.
为了消化库存压力,零售商不得不采取断崖式的降价促销。
In order to digest inventory pressure, retailers had to adopt cliff-like price reduction promotions.
Using vivid metaphors (断崖式) in an economic context.
促销组合的优化需要综合考虑产品生命周期、目标受众和竞争态势。
The optimization of the promotional mix requires comprehensive consideration of the product life cycle, target audience, and competitive landscape.
Using academic marketing terminology (促销组合, 生命周期).
宏观经济下行周期内,企业往往倾向于通过高频次的促销来维持现金流,但这无异于饮鸩止渴。
During macroeconomic downturn cycles, enterprises often tend to maintain cash flow through high-frequency promotions, but this is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.
Integrating classical idioms (饮鸩止渴) into macroeconomic analysis.
平台经济下的算法合谋,使得所谓的个性化促销实质上沦为对消费者剩余的精准榨取。
Algorithmic collusion under the platform economy has reduced so-called personalized promotions to the precise extraction of consumer surplus.
Employing advanced economic theory concepts (消费者剩余, 算法合谋).
从长远来看,构建品牌护城河远比依赖同质化的促销战更能抵御市场周期的波动。
In the long run, building a brand moat is far more capable of resisting market cycle fluctuations than relying on homogenized promotional wars.
Using strategic business metaphors (护城河) and comparative structures (远比...更能...).
该法案的颁布旨在规制无序的商业促销行为,重塑公平竞争的市场生态。
The promulgation of this bill aims to regulate disorderly commercial promotional behaviors and reshape a market ecology of fair competition.
Using highly formal legal and bureaucratic phrasing (旨在规制, 重塑).
在消费者主权时代,传统的填鸭式促销已然失效,取而代之的是基于价值共创的互动式营销。
In the era of consumer sovereignty, traditional force-feeding style promotions have already become ineffective, replaced by interactive marketing based on value co-creation.
Discussing paradigm shifts in marketing theory (消费者主权, 价值共创).
跨国企业在进行本土化促销时,必须敏锐地捕捉并契合当地的文化语境与消费心理。
When multinational enterprises conduct localized promotions, they must acutely capture and align with the local cultural context and consumer psychology.
Addressing complex global business strategies and cultural nuances.
过度促销所引发的棘轮效应,使得企业一旦停止让利,便面临销量断崖式下跌的窘境。
The ratchet effect triggered by excessive promotions puts enterprises in the dilemma of facing a cliff-like drop in sales once they stop yielding profits.
Applying specific economic theories (棘轮效应) to business outcomes.
学者们对“双十一”等狂欢式促销的异化现象进行了深刻的社会学批判。
Scholars have conducted profound sociological critiques on the alienation phenomenon of carnival-style promotions like 'Double 11'.
Using academic sociological terminology (异化现象, 批判).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A big sale or major promotional event. Used to emphasize the scale of the discounts.
国庆节有大促销。 (There is a big sale during the National Day holiday.)
— A limited-time promotion. Creates a sense of urgency for the buyer.
这是限时促销,赶快买! (This is a limited-time promotion, buy it quickly!)
— Holiday promotion. Sales events tied to specific public holidays.
春节期间的节日促销很多。 (There are many holiday promotions during the Spring Festival.)
— Promotional period. The specific timeframe during which the sale is active.
促销期只有三天。 (The promotional period is only three days.)
— Promotional items. Goods that are specifically put on sale or given away as gifts.
这些是免费的促销品。 (These are free promotional items.)
— To participate in a promotion. Used for both businesses offering it and consumers joining it.
很多商家参与了这次促销。 (Many merchants participated in this promotion.)
— The intensity or magnitude of the promotion (how good the deal is).
这次的促销力度很大。 (The magnitude of this promotion is very large.)
— Crazy sale/frenzied promotion. Used colloquially to describe massive, chaotic sales.
黑五是疯狂促销的日子。 (Black Friday is a day of crazy promotions.)
— Bundled promotion. Selling multiple items together at a lower combined price.
买电脑送鼠标是捆绑促销。 (Buying a computer and getting a mouse free is a bundled promotion.)
— Spend-and-save promotion. (e.g., spend 100, get 20 off). Very common in China.
淘宝经常有满减促销。 (Taobao often has spend-and-save promotions.)
Often Confused With
打折 strictly means to give a percentage discount. 促销 is the umbrella term for all promotional activities, including discounts, gifts, and coupons.
推销 means to peddle or push sales aggressively (like a door-to-door salesman). 促销 is a marketing event that attracts customers.
销售 is the general noun/verb for 'sales' or 'selling'. 促销 is specifically 'sales promotion' (a temporary event to boost sales).
Idioms & Expressions
— Small profits but quick turnover. A business strategy closely related to running promotions.
这家店的策略是薄利多销。 (This store's strategy is small profits but quick turnover.)
Business/Proverb— High quality and inexpensive. Often the goal or claim of a promotional event.
促销的商品真是物美价廉。 (The promotional goods are truly high quality and inexpensive.)
Everyday/Advertising— 'Jump-off-a-building price'. Slang for an absurdly low, desperate clearance price.
老板破产了,全部跳楼价! (The boss went bankrupt, everything is at a jump-off-a-building price!)
Slang/Street vendor— To lose all one's capital. A risk if a promotion is poorly planned.
如果促销失败,可能会血本无归。 (If the promotion fails, one might lose all their capital.)
Formal/Business— To buy the wooden box and return the pearls. A metaphor for poor judgment, sometimes used when consumers are tricked by flashy promotional packaging rather than the product.
不要因为包装好看就买,那是买椟还珠。 (Don't buy it just because the packaging is nice; that's buying the box and returning the pearls.)
Literary/Idiom— The wool comes from the sheep's back. Meaning that the cost of the 'free' promotion is ultimately paid by the consumer.
别以为促销你赚了,羊毛出在羊身上。 (Don't think you profited from the promotion; the wool comes from the sheep.)
Colloquial/Proverb— To compare goods across three stores (shop around). What consumers do during promotions.
买大件商品一定要货比三家。 (When buying large items, you must definitely shop around.)
Everyday/Proverb— Supply does not meet demand. The desired outcome of a highly successful promotion.
促销开始后,商品立刻供不应求。 (After the promotion started, the goods were immediately in short supply.)
Formal/Business— The courtyard is like a market. Describes a place crowded with people, like a store during a big sale.
打折促销让这家店门庭若市。 (The discount promotion made this store as crowded as a market.)
Literary/Idiom— Rare commodities can be hoarded for profit. The opposite of a promotion; holding back stock to raise prices.
有些限量版商品被黄牛奇货可居。 (Some limited edition goods are hoarded for profit by scalpers.)
Literary/IdiomEasily Confused
Both relate to saving money.
打折 is a specific mathematical reduction in price (e.g., 20% off). 促销 is the whole event, which might not even involve a price drop (e.g., a free gift with purchase).
这次促销的活动是不打折,但是送礼物。 (The promotion this time doesn't offer a discount, but gives a gift.)
Both end in 销 and relate to selling.
推销 is proactive and often annoying (pushing a product on someone). 促销 is attractive (offering a deal so people come to buy).
我讨厌推销员,但我喜欢促销活动。 (I hate salespeople, but I like promotional events.)
Both are business terms ending in 销.
营销 is 'marketing' (the entire strategy including product, price, place, promotion). 促销 is just the 'promotion' part of marketing.
促销只是营销策略的一部分。 (Promotion is only a part of the marketing strategy.)
Both mean things are cheaper.
减价 just means the price went down. It could be permanent. 促销 implies a special, temporary event.
这款旧手机减价了,这不是促销。 (This old phone's price dropped; this is not a promotion.)
Ends in 销, related to commerce.
畅销 means 'best-selling' (an adjective describing a popular product). 促销 is the action taken to make a product sell well.
通过促销,这本书成了畅销书。 (Through promotion, this book became a best-seller.)
Sentence Patterns
[Place] 有 促销。
超市有促销。 (The supermarket has a promotion.)
[Place] 在 搞 促销。
商场在搞促销。 (The mall is running a promotion.)
为了 [Goal], [Subject] 决定 开展 促销。
为了提高销量,公司决定开展促销。 (To increase sales, the company decided to launch a promotion.)
在 促销 期间,[Action]。
在促销期间,商品不退换。 (During the promotional period, goods cannot be returned or exchanged.)
[Subject] 采用了 [Type] 的 促销 手段。
他们采用了买一送一的促销手段。 (They adopted the promotional method of buy-one-get-one-free.)
与其 [Action A], 不如 搞 促销。
与其花钱做广告,不如直接搞促销。 (Rather than spending money on ads, it's better to directly run a promotion.)
[Subject] 不仅 是 一种 促销,更是 [Deeper meaning]。
双十一不仅是一种促销,更是一种文化现象。 (Double 11 is not only a promotion, but also a cultural phenomenon.)
过度依赖 促销 势必 导致 [Negative consequence]。
过度依赖促销势必导致品牌价值受损。 (Over-reliance on promotions will inevitably lead to damaged brand value.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high. It is one of the most common words encountered in daily urban life and digital environments in China.
-
这家店在打折促销。 (Meaning: This store is having a promotion, but using both words redundantly when not needed)
→
这家店在搞促销。 / 这家店在打折。
While '打折促销' is sometimes used as a compound noun, using both as verbs is clunky. Choose one based on whether it's a general event (促销) or a specific percentage off (打折).
-
他向我促销保险。
→
他向我推销保险。
You cannot '促销' a product directly to a single person in a pushy way. That is 推销 (tuīxiāo - to peddle/pitch). 促销 is an event that attracts people.
-
我促了销。
→
我搞了促销。
促销 is not a separable verb in modern Chinese. You cannot put aspect particles like '了' inside it. Use a support verb like 搞 and put '了' after it.
-
这个手机的促销很便宜。
→
这个手机的促销价很便宜。
A 'promotion' (促销) itself cannot be cheap. The 'price' (价) is cheap. You must use the compound noun 促销价 (promotional price).
-
超市做很多促销。
→
超市搞很多促销活动。
While '做促销' is understandable, '搞促销活动' is much more natural and grammatically complete when referring to multiple events.
Tips
Use 搞 for Natural Speech
Instead of saying 商店有促销 (The store has a promotion), say 商店在搞促销. The verb 搞 (gǎo) makes you sound instantly more like a native speaker.
Look for the Red Signs
In Chinese supermarkets, promotional items are almost always marked with bright red and yellow signs. If you see these colors, look for the characters 促销 or 特价.
Double 11 is the King of Promotions
If you want to experience the ultimate 促销 event, check out Taobao on November 11th. It is the largest shopping day globally and a cultural phenomenon in China.
Don't Confuse with 推销
Be careful not to say 推销 (tuīxiāo) when you mean 促销. 推销 sounds like you are aggressively forcing someone to buy something, like a telemarketer.
Compound Words
Get used to seeing 促销 attached to other words. 促销价 (promo price), 促销员 (promoter), and 促销活动 (promo event) are treated as single vocabulary items.
Supermarket Announcements
Next time you are in a Chinese supermarket, listen to the loudspeakers. You will hear the word 促销 repeated constantly alongside prices and product names.
Asking for Deals
A great phrase to memorize is '这个参与促销吗?' (Does this participate in the promotion?). Use this when you aren't sure if an item is included in the sale.
Formal Contexts
If you are writing a business email or report, avoid 搞促销. Use 开展促销活动 (launch promotional activities) or 进行促销 (conduct promotions) for a professional tone.
Not Always Cheaper
Remember that a 促销 doesn't always mean a lower price. It could be a 'buy one get one' (买一送一) or a free gift (赠品). If you want a lower price, ask if it's 打折 (discounted).
剁手 (Chop Hands)
During massive 促销 events, people buy so much they joke about needing to 'chop off their hands' (剁手 - duò shǒu) to stop shopping. You'll hear this a lot around Double 11.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine you have to URGE (促 - cù) people to buy your shoes (sounds like 销 - xiāo). You urge them to buy shoes by having a big SALE PROMOTION.
Visual Association
Picture a giant red banner in a supermarket. On the left side is a person pushing (促) a shopping cart, and on the right side is a cash register ringing up sales (销).
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you see an ad online or walk past a store with a red sign, say '促销' out loud and try to identify what kind of promotion it is (discount, buy-one-get-one, etc.).
Word Origin
The word is a modern compound created to translate Western business and marketing concepts into Chinese. It combines existing classical characters to form a new specific meaning for the capitalist/market economy era.
Original meaning: 促 originally meant to urge, hurry, or press close. 销 originally meant to melt metal, which evolved to mean to expend, to cancel, and eventually to sell (as in liquidating goods).
Sino-Tibetan, Chinese.Cultural Context
There are no specific cultural sensitivities or offensive connotations associated with this word. It is a standard, neutral business term.
In English-speaking countries, 'sales' are often tied to specific holidays (Black Friday, Boxing Day). In China, while holidays are important, e-commerce platforms have invented their own massive promotional holidays (Double 11, 618) that dominate the retail calendar.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Supermarket Shopping
- 促销价
- 买一送一
- 搞促销
- 特价区
Online Shopping (E-commerce)
- 双十一
- 满减促销
- 秒杀
- 加入购物车
Business Meetings
- 促销方案
- 促销预算
- 营销策略
- 提高销量
Street Markets
- 大减价
- 清仓促销
- 跳楼价
- 随便挑
Restaurant Dining
- 套餐促销
- 节日促销
- 打折优惠
- 赠送饮料
Conversation Starters
"你知道最近哪家商场在搞促销吗? (Do you know which mall is having a sale recently?)"
"双十一你打算买什么?促销力度大吗? (What do you plan to buy on Double 11? Are the promotions big?)"
"你觉得这种满减促销真的划算吗? (Do you think this spend-and-save promotion is really worth it?)"
"那个牌子的手机现在有促销,你要换手机吗? (That brand of phone is on sale now, do you want to change phones?)"
"我最讨厌那些规则复杂的促销活动了,你呢? (I hate those promotional events with complicated rules the most, what about you?)"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you bought something just because it was on a '促销'. Did you regret it?
Explain the difference between '促销' and '打折' in your own words.
Write about the biggest shopping festival in your country. How does it compare to China's Double 11?
If you owned a coffee shop, what kind of '促销活动' would you run to get more customers?
Write a short dialogue between a '促销员' (promoter) and a hesitant customer.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it can be used as a verb meaning 'to promote sales'. For example, '他们在促销新产品' (They are promoting new products). However, it is more commonly used as a noun in daily speech, paired with verbs like 搞 (gǎo) or 进行 (jìnxíng).
打折 (dǎzhé) specifically means 'discount' (reducing the price by a percentage). 促销 (cùxiāo) means 'sales promotion', which is a broader term. A promotion might include a discount, but it could also be 'buy one get one free', free shipping, or giving out coupons. All discounts are promotions, but not all promotions are discounts.
You can say '在搞促销' (zài gǎo cùxiāo) or '有促销' (yǒu cùxiāo). If you mean specifically discounted, you say '在打折' (zài dǎzhé). For example, 'This shirt is on sale' can be translated as '这件衣服在搞促销'.
促销价 (cùxiāo jià) translates to 'promotional price'. It is the special, lowered price offered during the promotional event, as opposed to the 原价 (yuánjià), which is the original price.
Absolutely. It is heavily used in e-commerce. You will see it constantly on apps like Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, especially during major shopping festivals like Double 11 (双十一).
A 促销员 (cùxiāo yuán) is a sales promoter. These are the staff members in supermarkets or malls who stand at booths, offer free samples, and explain the promotional deals to customers to encourage them to buy.
No, it is a neutral business term and is generally viewed positively by consumers looking for deals. However, the related word 推销 (tuīxiāo - to peddle/push sales) can have a negative or annoying connotation.
You can ask: '促销活动什么时候结束?' (Cùxiāo huódòng shénme shíhou jiéshù?). 结束 means to end or finish.
满减 (mǎn jiǎn) is a very common type of promotion in China. It means 'spend a certain amount, get a certain amount off'. For example, '满100减20' means if you spend 100 RMB, you get 20 RMB off.
When referring to the abstract concept, no measure word is needed. When referring to a specific promotional event, you can use 次 (cì - time) or 场 (chǎng - session/event), e.g., 一次大促销 (one big promotion).
Test Yourself 200 questions
Translate into Chinese: 'The supermarket is having a big sale today.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '在搞' for 'is having' and '大促销' for 'big sale'.
Use '在搞' for 'is having' and '大促销' for 'big sale'.
Translate into Chinese: 'What is the promotional price of this phone?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '促销价' for promotional price.
Use '促销价' for promotional price.
Translate into Chinese: 'During the promotional period, there are many people.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '促销期间' for during the promotional period.
Use '促销期间' for during the promotional period.
Write a sentence using the phrase '促销活动'.
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Ensure '促销活动' is used as a noun phrase meaning promotional event.
Ensure '促销活动' is used as a noun phrase meaning promotional event.
Translate into Chinese: 'I don't like telemarketing (pushy sales), but I like sales promotions.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Contrast '推销' (peddling) with '促销' (promotion).
Contrast '推销' (peddling) with '促销' (promotion).
Write a formal sentence stating: 'The company decided to conduct a promotion.'
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Use the formal verb '进行' instead of '搞'.
Use the formal verb '进行' instead of '搞'.
Translate into Chinese: 'Buy one get one free is a promotional method.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use '促销手段' for promotional method.
Use '促销手段' for promotional method.
Translate into Chinese: 'This product is not participating in the promotion.'
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Use '参与' for participate.
Use '参与' for participate.
Write a sentence using '促销员'.
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Use '促销员' to refer to the sales staff.
Use '促销员' to refer to the sales staff.
Translate into Chinese: 'The promotional budget exceeded the limit.'
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Use '促销预算' for promotional budget.
Use '促销预算' for promotional budget.
Translate into Chinese: 'False promotions are illegal.'
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Use '虚假促销' for false promotions.
Use '虚假促销' for false promotions.
Write a sentence explaining the difference between 打折 and 促销.
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Highlight that promotion includes more than just discounts.
Highlight that promotion includes more than just discounts.
Translate into Chinese: 'The magnitude of this promotion is very large.'
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Use '促销力度' for the magnitude/intensity.
Use '促销力度' for the magnitude/intensity.
Translate into Chinese: 'Clearance sale.'
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Use '清仓' for clearance.
Use '清仓' for clearance.
Write a sentence using '满减促销'.
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Use '满减促销' for spend-and-save promotion.
Use '满减促销' for spend-and-save promotion.
Translate into Chinese: 'Holiday promotion.'
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Use '节日' for holiday.
Use '节日' for holiday.
Translate into Chinese: 'They are vigorously promoting the new product.'
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Use 促销 as a verb here.
Use 促销 as a verb here.
Write a sentence using '联合促销'.
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Use '联合促销' for joint promotion.
Use '联合促销' for joint promotion.
Translate into Chinese: 'Promotional strategy.'
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Use '策略' for strategy.
Use '策略' for strategy.
Translate into Chinese: 'The promotion ends tomorrow.'
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Use '结束' for ends.
Use '结束' for ends.
How would you ask a shop assistant if a specific pair of shoes is on sale?
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Polite inquiry using 请问 and the basic 有促销 structure.
Tell your friend that the supermarket is having a big sale today.
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You said:
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Using the colloquial 搞 and 大 for emphasis.
Explain briefly in Chinese that 'buy one get one free' is a type of promotion.
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You said:
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Directly defining the concept.
Say 'I don't like telemarketing (推销), I like sales promotions (促销).'
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You said:
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Practicing the contrast between the two similar-sounding words.
Ask when the promotional event ends.
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You said:
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Using 什么时候 for 'when' and 结束 for 'end'.
State that the promotional price is very cheap.
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You said:
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Using the compound noun 促销价.
Tell someone that during the promotion, there are many people.
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You said:
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Using 期间 for 'during the period'.
Say 'This is a limited-time promotion.'
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Using the common phrase 限时促销.
As a manager, suggest: 'We need to change our promotional strategy.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Using formal business vocabulary 策略.
Complain that the promotion rules are too complicated.
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Using 规则 (rules) and 复杂 (complicated).
Say 'Double 11 is the biggest promotional event.'
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You said:
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Using superlatives.
Ask if this item participates in the spend-and-save promotion.
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Using 参与 and 满减.
State that false promotions are illegal.
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Using 虚假 (false) and 违法 (illegal).
Say 'The sales promoter is very enthusiastic.'
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Using 促销员 and 热情.
Suggest doing a clearance sale.
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You said:
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Using 清仓 (clearance) and the suggestion particle 吧.
Say 'The intensity of this promotion is very large.'
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You said:
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Using 力度 (intensity/magnitude).
State that they are vigorously promoting the new car.
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You said:
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Using 促销 as a verb with 大力.
Say 'I bought a lot of promotional items.'
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You said:
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Using 促销品.
Explain that the budget exceeded the limit.
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Using 预算 and 超标.
Say 'Don't confuse normal sales with promotions.'
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Using the advanced idiom 混为一谈.
Listen to the audio: '各位顾客请注意,生鲜区正在进行限时促销,全场八折。' What is happening in the fresh food area?
'限时促销' means limited-time promotion, '八折' means 20% off.
Listen to the audio: '我昨天去商场,本来没想买衣服,但是促销力度太大了,没忍住。' Why did the speaker buy clothes?
'促销力度太大了,没忍住' means the promotion was so strong they couldn't hold back.
Listen to the audio: '这份促销方案还需要修改,预算超出了我们的预期。' What is wrong with the promotional plan?
'预算超出了我们的预期' means the budget exceeded expectations.
Listen to the audio: '你好,我是这个品牌的促销员,可以耽误您一分钟介绍一下我们的新产品吗?' Who is speaking?
The speaker identifies as '这个品牌的促销员'.
Listen to the audio: '这种先提价再打折的虚假促销,严重损害了消费者的信任。' What kind of promotion is being criticized?
'先提价再打折的虚假促销' is the deceptive practice mentioned.
Listen to the audio: '双十一不仅是打折,更是一场全民参与的促销狂欢。' How is Double 11 described?
'全民参与的促销狂欢' means a promotional carnival everyone participates in.
Listen to the audio: '这个手机恢复原价了,昨天的促销已经结束了。' What is the current price status of the phone?
'恢复原价了' means it returned to the original price.
Listen to the audio: '为了应对竞争对手的降价,我们不得不提前开始节日促销。' Why did they start the holiday promotion early?
'为了应对竞争对手的降价' means to cope with the competitor's price reduction.
Listen to the audio: '买电脑送鼠标,这是一种典型的捆绑促销。' What is given as an example of a bundled promotion?
'买电脑送鼠标' means buy a computer, get a mouse free.
Listen to the audio: '不要相信那些跳楼价的广告,很多都是劣质产品的推销,不是真正的促销。' What is the speaker warning against?
Warning against '跳楼价的广告' which are peddling '劣质产品' (inferior goods).
Listen to the audio: '促销期只有三天,错过就要等明年了。' How long is the promotional period?
'只有三天' means only three days.
Listen to the audio: '比起打折,满减促销更容易让顾客买更多东西。' What does the spend-and-save promotion encourage customers to do?
'更容易让顾客买更多东西' means makes it easier for customers to buy more things.
Listen to the audio: '我们的营销策略需要从单纯的价格促销转向品牌建设。' What shift in strategy is needed?
'从单纯的价格促销转向品牌建设' means shifting from pure price promotions to brand building.
Listen to the audio: '直播间里的秒杀促销太快了,我根本抢不到。' Why couldn't the speaker buy the item?
'秒杀促销太快了' means the flash sale promotion was too fast.
Listen to the audio: '这家店常年搞促销,大家都知道它的原价是虚高的。' What do people know about this store's original prices?
'原价是虚高的' means the original price is artificially high.
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
促销 (cùxiāo) is the go-to word for any sales event or marketing push designed to get you to buy. Remember, while all discounts are promotions, not all promotions are discounts!
- Means 'sales promotion' or 'special offer'.
- Used in retail and e-commerce contexts.
- Can be a noun (a sale) or verb (to promote).
- Broader than just a discount (打折).
Use 搞 for Natural Speech
Instead of saying 商店有促销 (The store has a promotion), say 商店在搞促销. The verb 搞 (gǎo) makes you sound instantly more like a native speaker.
Look for the Red Signs
In Chinese supermarkets, promotional items are almost always marked with bright red and yellow signs. If you see these colors, look for the characters 促销 or 特价.
Double 11 is the King of Promotions
If you want to experience the ultimate 促销 event, check out Taobao on November 11th. It is the largest shopping day globally and a cultural phenomenon in China.
Don't Confuse with 推销
Be careful not to say 推销 (tuīxiāo) when you mean 促销. 推销 sounds like you are aggressively forcing someone to buy something, like a telemarketer.
Example
超市正在进行买一送一的促销活动。
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More business words
本事
A2Skill; ability; capability.
相应地
B1Correspondingly.
账号
A2account (e.g., bank, online)
客户经理
A2account manager
账户
B1A record of financial transactions for an individual or business, usually at a bank; or a user profile for a digital service.
会计
A2accounting, accountant
收购
B1To purchase; to acquire (a company).
商业活动
A2Business activity.
广告费
A2Advertising expenses.
调整
B1To change something slightly in order to make it more correct, effective, or suitable.