Let's look at the sentence pattern. |
Do you remember how the character said, |
"Excuse me, how much is this painting?" |
请问,这幅画多少钱? (Qǐngwèn, zhè fú huà duōshǎo qián?) |
请问,这幅画多少钱? (Qǐngwèn, zhè fú huà duōshǎo qián?) |
This sentence follows the pattern here: |
First pattern: |
[Demonstrative] + [Measure Word] + [Noun] + 多少钱? |
([Demonstrative] + [Measure Word] + [Noun] + duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is...?" |
This is a common question structure used to ask about the price of something. |
这 (zhè) is the demonstrative meaning "this." |
幅 (fú) is a measure word used for paintings and pictures. |
画 (huà) means "painting." |
多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) means "how much (money)?" |
So, 请问,这幅画多少钱? literally means "Excuse me, this painting how much money?" But in natural English, we say, "Excuse me, how much is this painting?" |
Second pattern: |
[Demonstrative] + [Measure Word] + [Noun] + (是) + [Price] |
([Demonstrative] + [Measure Word] + [Noun] + (shì) + [Price]) |
"[Demonstrative item] is [price]" |
This is a declarative pattern used to state the price. |
The subject is again 这幅画 (zhè fú huà), meaning "this painting." |
是 (shì) is the verb "to be," it's optional here. In everyday Chinese, it's very often left out. |
And 2,500元 (liǎng qiān wǔ bǎi yuán) is the price: "2,500 yuan." |
So, 这幅画是2,500元 means "This painting is 2,500 yuan." |
These two patterns are both essential when shopping or discussing prices in Chinese. One is for asking, the other is for answering. |
Now you can use this structure to ask about the price of anything when shopping in China! |
In China, bargaining is very common in many places, especially in open-air markets, tourist shops, and smaller local stores. |
Shoppers often negotiate the price by offering a lower amount and going back and forth with the seller. |
However, in supermarkets, chain stores, and department stores, prices are usually fixed, and bargaining is not accepted. |
So if you're shopping in a street market in China, don't be afraid to bargain—but always do it with a smile! |
Now let's look at some speaking examples. |
那双鞋子多少钱?(Nàshuāng xiézi duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is that pair of shoes?" |
Can you see how the pattern applies here? |
Let's break it down: |
那 (nà) means "that" or "those" – it's a demonstrative. |
双 (shuāng) is a measure word used for items that naturally come in pairs. |
鞋子 (xiézi) means "shoes." |
多少钱 (duōshǎo qián) means "how much (money)?" |
So, 那双鞋子多少钱? literally means "That pair of shoes how much money?" but "How much is that pair of shoes?" in natural English. |
This sentence fits the pattern: |
[Demonstrative] + [Measure Word] + [Noun] + 多少钱? |
Here's another example |
那辆车多少钱?(Nà liàng chē duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is that car?" |
那辆车多少钱?(Nà liàng chē duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is that car?" |
Let's try one more, |
这个钟表四十元。(Zhège zhōngbiǎo sìshí yuán.) |
"This clock is 40 yuan." |
这个钟表四十元。(Zhège zhōngbiǎo sìshí yuán.) |
"This clock is 40 yuan." |
Another one. |
这个包多少钱?(Zhège bāo duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is this bag?" |
这个包多少钱?(Zhège bāo duōshǎo qián?) |
"How much is this bag?" |
One last example. |
那个智能手机七百四十元钱。(Nàge zhìnéng shǒujī qībǎi sìshí yuán qián.) |
"That smartphone is 740 yuan." |
那个智能手机七百四十元钱。(Nàge zhìnéng shǒujī qībǎi sìshí yuán qián.) |
"That smartphone is 740 yuan." |
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