| 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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