Lesson Transcript

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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