PrettyFluent
This is just a lesson preview. Get the interactive lesson free on PrettyFluent
Scene illustrating a Simplified Chinese-language bargaining conversation
Lesson

Bargaining: Bargaining for souvenirs including dialogue to check for size, color, numbers and calculating money.

Get Full Lesson
Practice pronunciation and master this lesson with smart-repetition via the PrettyFluent App

Key Phrases

我可以帮你吗?

wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ ma

Can I help you?

不同的颜色和大小

bù tóng de yán sè hé dà xiǎo

Different colors and sizes

我能看一下多少钱

wǒ néng kàn yī xià duō shǎo qián

Can I see how much

Skills You'll Learn

Asking for assistance

询问帮助

xún wèn bāng zhù

Discussing product variety

讨论产品种类

tǎo lùn chǎn pǐn zhǒng lèi

Inquiring about price

询问价格

xún wèn jià gé

Lesson Roleplay

Imagine you're visiting a souvenir shop in China. You're interested in buying a specific souvenir and inquire about its availability in different colors and sizes. You engage in a conversation with the shopkeeper to negotiate the price and finally decide on a purchase, wrapping up your shopping experience.

你好, 我可以帮你吗?

nǐ hǎo wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ ma

Hello, can I help you?

你好, 我想看看这个纪念品。

nǐ hǎo wǒ xiǎng kàn kàn zhè gè jì niàn pǐn

Hello, I would like to see this souvenir.

这个有不同的颜色和大小吗?

zhè gè yǒu bù tóng de yán sè hé dà xiǎo ma

Does this come in different colors and sizes?

有的,这里有红色和蓝色,大小也有中和大。

yǒu de zhè lǐ yǒu hóng sè hé lán sè dà xiǎo yě yǒu zhōng hé dà

Yes, we have it in red and blue, and sizes are medium and large.

我能看一下大号的红色吗?

wǒ néng kàn yī xià dà hào de hóng sè ma

Can I see the large red one?

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

👉

你

nǐ

You

See breakdown →
👍

好

hǎo

Good

💬 In [你好], [好] doesn't literally mean "good" so much as a friendly greeting. You'll see the same pattern in [大家好] ("hello everyone") and [老师好] ("hello, teacher").

See breakdown →
👋

你好

nǐ hǎo

Hello

🇨🇳 [你好] is standard and polite, but in small shops people often greet with practical questions instead, like [看点什么?] or [要不要看看?]. Don't be surprised if "hello" is skipped and the interaction starts right away.

See breakdown →
🔹

可以

kě yǐ

Can

💬 [可以] is a handy "can / may / is okay" word for permission or possibility. You can swap in another action after it: [可以看看吗?] ("Can I take a look?"), [可以便宜一点吗?] ("Can it be a bit cheaper?").

See breakdown →
🆘

帮

bāng

Help

See breakdown →
❓🆘

我可以帮你吗?

wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ ma

Can I help you?

💬 Chinese often says the topic first, then the action: [我] + [可以] + [帮你] + [吗]. You can reuse that pattern with other verbs, like [我可以试一下吗?] ("Can I try it?").

See breakdown →
🙂➡️

想

xiǎng

Would like

💬 [想] before a verb often means "want to" or "would like to," not just "think." For example, [我想看看] means "I'd like to have a look."

See breakdown →
🙋‍♂️🤔

我想

wǒ xiǎng

I want to

💬 [我想] is a softer way to say what you want than a blunt command, especially in shops. Add almost any action after it: [我想买这个] ("I want to buy this"), [我想看看别的] ("I'd like to see others").

See breakdown →
🚀

Learn this vocabulary list the easy way

Get PrettyFluent for smart practice & lasting retention

Similar Simplified Chinese Lessons

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Download PrettyFluent on the App StoreGet Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Shanghai business dinners require real Mandarin skills. This app’s scenario-based approach meant I could keep up with clients after just a month of practice.”

Ryan M., 36, Consultant

“Spent three months in Taiwan and this app was my lifeline. The tonal practice with real scenarios helped me sound less like a textbook and more like a person.”

Laura H., 28, Photographer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer