Mandarin Monday: Your Supermarket Shopping Lingo

Andy P. theBeijinger

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There are times when going to the mall or a grocery store is far better and more convenient than shopping online, especially if we want to buy fresh food or items that we want to see physically first. Yet while our enjoyment of shopping might transcend the challenges of the language barrier, it doesn’t hurt to know some of the words that will help you in your supermarket visits in the long run.

Discounts, promos, and prices

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Watch Out for These Shopping Terms

促销活动
cùxiāo huódòng
sales promotion

买一送一
mǎi yī sòng yī
buy one, get one free

(amount) + 元两件
(amount) + yuán liǎng jiàn
buy two (items) for RMB (amount)

全场
quánchǎng
entire store

(number) + 起
(number) + qǐ
starting at (number) or from (number) and up

半价
bànjià
half-price

件
jiàn
measure word for clothing, furniture, or items

满
mǎn
to reach a certain limit/amount (before you get a discount)

Chinese Supermarket Sections

区
qū
section/area

蔬菜区
shūcài qū
vegetable section

鱼肉区
yúròu qū
meat and fish section

生鲜冷冻区
shēngxiān lěngdòng qū
fresh and frozen food items section

水果
shuǐguǒ
fruits

调味料
tiáowèiliào
spices and condiments

烘焙谷物
hōngbèi gǔwù
baked goods, cereals, grains

乳制品
rǔzhìpǐn
dairy

零食区
língshí qū
snacks area

进口食品
jìnkǒu shípǐn
imported food items

日用品
rìyònɡpǐn
household items

家电区
jiādiàn qū
electronics

杂货店
záhuòdiàn
grocery store

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At the Counter

收银台
shōuyíntái
cashier desk

刷卡
shuā kǎ
to use a bank card

现金
xiànjīn
cash

袋子
dàizi
bag

会员卡
huìyuán kǎ
membership card

购物车
ɡòuwù chē
shopping cart

付钱
fùqián
to pay money

Other Useful Words

价格
jiàgé
price

砍价
kǎnjià
to bargain

重量
zhòngliàng
item weight

克
kè
gram

斤
jīn
500 grams

公斤
gōngjīn
1 kilogram

生产日期
shēngchǎn rìqí
manufacturing date

保质期
bǎozhìqī
shelf life

保质期至
bǎozhìqī zhì
expiry date

Take it easy and try to remember the words and phrases that you will need in a certain moment. For example, if you're going to the fruits and vegetable section, take photos of the tags or receipts and decipher them using a translator app whenever you get a chance. That way, it will be easier to associate the new words with the supermarket section you go to.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication Jingkids International.