What does 买 mean in Chinese?

买 (mǎi) means "to buy; to purchase" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 买?

买 is pronounced "mǎi" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 买?

买 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 买?

Common words with 买 include 孟买 (Mumbai (formerly Bombay)), 采买 (purchase), 收买 (to purchase), 置买 (to purchase), 做买卖 (to buy and sell).

How do you write 买?

买 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 乙. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

买 (mǎi), to buy

买

mǎi

to buy; to purchase

HSK 1verb6 strokes

Traditional: 買

Character Breakdown

A head reaching for goods — to buy

Radical: 乙 (no. 5)Strokes: 6Traditional: 買

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to buy
to purchase

Example Sentences

我想买一本书。

Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī běn shū

I want to buy a book

Words Containing 买

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
孟买	Mèng mǎi	Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
采买	cǎi mǎi	purchase
收买	shōu mǎi	to purchase	HSK 7-9
置买	zhì mǎi	to purchase
做买卖	zuò mǎi mài	to buy and sell

→

内购(nèi gòu)· buying direct from your company at preferential prices

→

增订(zēng dìng)· to revise and enlarge (a book)

→

套购(tào gòu)· a fraudulent purchase

→

Grammar Notes

Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1

Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

This/That with 这/那HSK 1

这/那 + Measure Word + Noun

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Appears in these articles

Chinese Speaking Practice: How to Start Talking (Even If You\'re Terrified)

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

买: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 买 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

买