Clothes Shopping
beginner买衣服
Learn to shop for clothes, try on outfits, discuss sizes and colors, and bargain for a better price in Chinese.
36 words12 phrases2 dialogues~25 min study time
Vocabulary
36 words — click any row for an example sentence
Clothing Items
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 衬衫 | chènshān | shirt; dress shirt | noun |
| 裤子 | kùzi | pants; trousers | noun |
| 裙子 | qúnzi | skirt; dress | noun |
| 外套 | wàitào | jacket; coat; outerwear | noun |
| 鞋子 | xiézi | shoes | noun |
| T恤 | T xù | T-shirt | noun |
| 牛仔裤 | niúzǎikù | jeans | noun |
| 帽子 | màozi | hat; cap | noun |
| 袜子 | wàzi | socks | noun |
| 连衣裙 | liányīqún | dress (one-piece) | noun |
Sizes
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 大号 | dàhào | large size | noun |
| 中号 | zhōnghào | medium size | noun |
| 小号 | xiǎohào | small size | noun |
| 肥 | féi | loose; baggy (for clothes) | adjective |
| 瘦 | shòu | tight; slim-fitting (for clothes) | adjective |
| 合适 | héshì | suitable; fitting; right | adjective |
| 尺码 | chǐmǎ | size (clothing) | noun |
Shopping Actions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 试 | shì | to try; to try on | verb |
| 换 | huàn | to exchange; to change | verb |
| 退 | tuì | to return (goods) | verb |
| 打折 | dǎ zhé | to give a discount | verb |
| 便宜一点 | piányi yìdiǎn | a little cheaper | phrase |
| 买 | mǎi | to buy | verb |
| 付款 | fùkuǎn | to pay; to make a payment | verb |
| 试衣间 | shìyījiān | fitting room; changing room | noun |
Descriptions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 颜色 | yánsè | color | noun |
| 款式 | kuǎnshì | style; design | noun |
| 面料 | miànliào | fabric; material | noun |
| 好看 | hǎokàn | good-looking; attractive | adjective |
| 合身 | héshēn | to fit well (on the body) | adjective |
| 时尚 | shíshàng | fashionable; trendy | adjective |
| 质量 | zhìliàng | quality | noun |
| 穿 | chuān | to wear; to put on | verb |
| 贵 | guì | expensive | adjective |
| 便宜 | piányi | cheap; inexpensive | adjective |
| 新款 | xīnkuǎn | new style; new arrival | noun |
Key Phrases
Essential expressions
我可以试一下吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ shì yíxià ma?
Can I try this on?
Asking a shop assistant for permission to try on a piece of clothing.
有没有大一号的？
Yǒu méiyǒu dà yí hào de?
Do you have one size bigger?
Asking for a larger size when the current one does not fit.
这件多少钱？
Zhè jiàn duōshao qián?
How much is this one?
Asking the price of a specific item in a store.
能不能便宜一点？
Néng bù néng piányi yìdiǎn?
Can you make it a little cheaper?
Attempting to negotiate a lower price, especially common at markets.
试衣间在哪里？
Shìyījiān zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the fitting room?
Asking for the location of the fitting room in a clothing store.
这件有别的颜色吗？
Zhè jiàn yǒu bié de yánsè ma?
Does this come in other colors?
Asking whether the same item is available in a different color.
我只是随便看看。
Wǒ zhǐshì suíbiàn kànkan.
I am just browsing.
Politely telling a shop assistant that you are not looking for anything specific.
买两件打折吗？
Mǎi liǎng jiàn dǎ zhé ma?
Is there a discount if I buy two?
Asking whether buying multiple items qualifies for a discount.
可以退换吗？
Kěyǐ tuìhuàn ma?
Can I return or exchange it?
Asking about the return and exchange policy before purchasing.
你穿这件很好看。
Nǐ chuān zhè jiàn hěn hǎokàn.
You look great in this one.
Complimenting someone who is trying on clothes.
可以用微信支付吗？
Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn zhīfù ma?
Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
Asking about mobile payment options, which are very common in China.
这个是什么面料的？
Zhège shì shénme miànliào de?
What material is this made of?
Asking about the fabric or material of a garment.
Dialogues
Practice conversations
Trying on Clothes at a Store
A customer walks into a clothing store looking for a new jacket and wants to try on different sizes.
Speaker A
欢迎光临！请问您想看看什么？
Speaker B
我想买一件外套。有没有适合秋天穿的？
Speaker A
有的。这几款是今年的新款，款式很时尚。您穿什么尺码的？
Speaker B
我一般穿中号的。这件灰色的可以试试吗？
Speaker A
当然可以，试衣间在右边。
Speaker B
这件有点小，有没有大一号的？
Speaker A
我帮您看看。这件大号的您试试。
Speaker B
嗯，这件很合身。多少钱？
Cultural note: In Chinese clothing stores, sales staff are usually very attentive and may follow you around the store offering suggestions. It is polite to say "我只是随便看看" (I am just browsing) if you want space. Saying "这件很合身" (this fits well) is a natural way to express satisfaction.
Bargaining at a Market
A customer finds a dress at a market stall and tries to negotiate the price with the vendor.
Speaker A
老板，这条裙子多少钱？
Speaker B
这条两百块。面料很好的，纯棉的。
Speaker A
两百太贵了吧！能不能便宜一点？
Speaker B
那给你打个八折吧，一百六。
Speaker A
一百块行不行？我买两条。
Speaker B
一百太少了，两条一共给你两百五吧。
Speaker A
好吧，成交。可以用微信支付吗？
Speaker B
可以的，扫这个二维码就行。
Cultural note: Bargaining (讨价还价, tǎojià huánjià) is expected at traditional markets and small shops in China, but not at department stores or chain retailers. The vendor's first price is usually inflated. A common tactic is to offer about half the asking price and negotiate from there. Even at market stalls, mobile payment via WeChat Pay or Alipay is standard.
Cultural Notes
Context that textbooks miss
Test Yourself
8 questions covering vocabulary, phrases, and dialogue comprehension.
Take the Clothes Shopping Quiz (8 questions)→HSK Level Overlap
19 of 36 words appear in HSK levels
Further Reading
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