There are certain things I always hear when shopping. So, I’ve gone ahead and tracked them down so we can understand every word.
- Literal, word by word translations appear in [brackets].
- Optional words appear in (parentheses)
- Notes appear with an asterisk (*in parentheses)
- Measure words are translated in {curly brackets}.
- Alternative translations are separated by a slash (/)
First words
nǐ xiǎng/yào mǎi diǎn shénme? 你想/要买点什么?
= What would you like to buy? [you want buy little what]
nǐ xiǎng/yào mǎi diǎn shá? 你想/要买点啥?
= What would you like to buy? [you want buy little what (*northern dialect)]
nǐ yào shénme? 你要什么?
= What would you like? [you want what]
mǎi shénme? 买什么?
= What would you like? [buy what]
Time to pay
shōu nǐ bā kuài qián 收你八块钱
= Received your 8 yuan
zhǎo nǐ yí kuài qián 找你一块钱
= Here’s your 1 yuan change [find you 1 yuan]
Please wait
(shāo) děng yíhuìr 稍等一会儿
= just a moment [(little) wait a moment]
(shāo) děng yíxià 稍等一下
= just a moment [(little) wait a moment]