How to Ask for Something at a Store - Examples and Variations

Master how to ask for something at a store with the key pattern

Lesson Notes

Unlock Lesson Notes and Transcripts for every single lesson. Sign Up for a Free Lifetime Account and Get 7 Days of Premium Access.

Select your level

Or sign up using Facebook

By clicking Join Now, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive our email communications, which you may opt out at any time.

Already a Member?

Let’s look at some more examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

请给我那个。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ nèige.)

请给我水。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ.)

请给我水和香蕉。(Qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ hé xiāngjiāo.)

请给我这个。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ zhèige.)

我要水，谢谢。(Wǒ yào shuǐ, xièxie.)

Did you notice how I used a different pattern?

我要水，谢谢。(Wǒ yào shuǐ, xièxie.)

Literally, "I want water, thanks," but translating as, “I’d like some water, thanks.”

我要水，谢谢。(Wǒ yào shuǐ, xièxie.)

First is 我 (Wǒ), translating as “I,” in this context. 我 (Wǒ).

Next is 要 (yào), “to want.” 要. 要 (yào).

Last is 水 (shuǐ), “water.” 水.

Finally, to make the request sound more polite, is 谢谢. "Thanks." 谢谢.

All together it's 我要水，谢谢。(Wǒ yào shuǐ, xièxie.)

In Chinese, pointing at something, and using the pattern “I want...” is not considered rude; actually, it's pretty common and colloquial.

However, adding a 谢谢, “thanks,” at the end of your request definitely makes the request more polite, as in the example.

我要水，谢谢。(Wǒ yào shuǐ , xièxie.)

”I’d like some water, thanks.”

Hide