便宜一点吧。
Make it cheaper.
직역: Cheap a little bit (particle).
Use this phrase to negotiate prices in informal markets to show you are a savvy, local-minded shopper.
15초 만에
- The essential phrase for bargaining at Chinese street markets.
- Combines 'cheap,' 'a little,' and a softening suggestion particle.
- Best used with a friendly smile and a calm tone.
뜻
This is the go-to phrase for bargaining in China. It literally translates to 'be a little cheaper,' and it is your magic key to getting a better price at local markets.
주요 예문
3 / 6Buying a souvenir at a street stall
老板，这个太贵了，便宜一点吧。
Boss, this is too expensive, make it a bit cheaper.
Negotiating rent with a landlord
房租能不能再便宜一点吧？
Can the rent be a little bit cheaper?
Buying fruit from a street vendor
我买这么多，便宜一点吧！
I'm buying so much, give me a discount!
문화적 배경
Bargaining is deeply rooted in Chinese 'mianzi' (face) culture and social interaction. Historically, prices were flexible based on relationships, and today, haggling remains a standard social ritual in traditional marketplaces to establish a fair 'market price' through dialogue.
The Walk-Away Move
If the seller won't budge, start walking away slowly. Often, they will call you back with a lower price. It's the ultimate bargaining power play!
Don't Over-Bargain
If a price is already very low (like for a small snack), don't bargain. It can seem disrespectful to the seller's hard work.
15초 만에
- The essential phrase for bargaining at Chinese street markets.
- Combines 'cheap,' 'a little,' and a softening suggestion particle.
- Best used with a friendly smile and a calm tone.
What It Means
This phrase is the bread and butter of shopping in China. 便宜 (piányi) means cheap. 一点 (yìdiǎn) means a little bit. 吧 (ba) is a soft suggestion particle. Together, they form a polite but firm request for a discount. It is not just about the money. It is a social dance between buyer and seller.
How To Use It
Use it when you are at a street market or a small boutique. You usually say it after the seller gives you the first price. Don't look too excited about the item. Keep your voice calm and friendly. You can add 老板 (lǎobǎn), which means 'boss,' at the start. Say: 老板，便宜一点吧！ It makes the seller feel respected while you ask for a deal.
When To Use It
Use it at outdoor clothing markets or souvenir stalls. It works great at fruit stands if you are buying in bulk. Use it when renting an apartment to negotiate the monthly rate. It is perfect for silk markets or electronic hubs. Basically, use it anywhere prices aren't printed on a barcode.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this in a high-end mall like Gucci or Apple. Do not use it in chain supermarkets or convenience stores. They will just look at you confused. Avoid using it in formal restaurants with printed menus. If there is a digital cash register and a scanner, bargaining is usually a no-go. You will look a bit silly trying to haggle for a Starbucks latte!
Cultural Background
Bargaining is a sport in China. It is a way to build a quick 'relationship' with the vendor. Sellers often start with a 'tourist price' expecting you to haggle. If you don't ask for a discount, you are overpaying. It is expected behavior in traditional commerce. It shows you are savvy and know the local ways. Just remember to keep it 'win-win' so everyone stays happy.
Common Variations
If you want to be even more direct, say 太贵了 (tài guì le), meaning 'too expensive.' Follow it up with 能不能便宜点? (néng bù néng piányi diǎn?), which means 'can you make it cheaper?' If you are buying many items, try 多买点，便宜点 (duō mǎi diǎn, piányi diǎn). This means 'I'm buying more, so give me a better price.' It is the ultimate power move for a shopper.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is informal and best suited for markets. Avoid using it where prices are clearly marked on digital displays or in high-end corporate environments.
The Walk-Away Move
If the seller won't budge, start walking away slowly. Often, they will call you back with a lower price. It's the ultimate bargaining power play!
Don't Over-Bargain
If a price is already very low (like for a small snack), don't bargain. It can seem disrespectful to the seller's hard work.
The 'Boss' Secret
Calling a small vendor `老板` (Lǎobǎn - Boss) gives them 'face' and makes them more likely to give you a discount.
예시
6老板，这个太贵了，便宜一点吧。
Boss, this is too expensive, make it a bit cheaper.
Using 'Boss' (laoban) builds a friendly rapport before asking.
房租能不能再便宜一点吧？
Can the rent be a little bit cheaper?
Adding 'can or cannot' makes it a formal request for a long-term deal.
我买这么多，便宜一点吧！
I'm buying so much, give me a discount!
Leveraging the quantity of items to get a better price.
亲，便宜一点吧，求你了。
Dear, make it cheaper, I beg you.
Using 'Qin' (dear) is standard for online shopping in China.
咱们是好朋友，便宜一点吧！
We are best friends, make it cheaper for me!
Using friendship as a humorous leverage point.
我是学生，没有钱，便宜一点吧。
I'm a student and have no money, please make it cheaper.
The 'poor student' card is a classic bargaining tactic.
셀프 테스트
You are at a market and want a discount. Which word completes the phrase?
这个太贵了，___ 一点吧。
The word `便宜` (piányi) means cheap, which is necessary for asking for a lower price.
Choose the correct particle to make the request sound softer and more like a suggestion.
便宜一点 ___。
The particle `吧` (ba) is used for suggestions and softens the tone of the request.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Where to Bargain
Expected and encouraged.
便宜一点吧！
Possible if buying multiple items.
能便宜点吗？
Fixed prices, do not try.
N/A
Socially awkward/impossible.
N/A
Bargaining Scenarios
Silk Market
Haggling for a scarf
Apartment Hunting
Lowering the monthly rent
Fruit Stand
Buying 5kg of apples
Second-hand App
Chatting on Xianyu
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not at all in the right context! In local markets, it is expected and seen as a normal part of the transaction.
Generally no, unless it is a very small family-run stall and you are making a massive order. Stick to markets for this phrase.
It softens the sentence. Without 吧, it sounds like a command; with it, it sounds like a friendly suggestion.
In tourist markets, you can often start by offering half the asking price and meet in the middle.
Yes, on apps like Taobao or Xianyu, you can message the seller and ask 可以便宜一点吗？.
That means 'no.' You can either accept the price or try the 'walk-away' tactic to see if they change their mind.
You can say 能不能便宜一点？ (Néng bù néng piányi yìdiǎn?), which translates to 'Is it possible to be a bit cheaper?'
Yes! Bargaining is a social interaction. A friendly smile goes a long way in getting a better price.
Less so in modern malls, but they definitely still do it on second-hand platforms and in traditional markets.
The opposite is 贵 (guì), which means expensive. You often say 太贵了 (tài guì le) before asking for a discount.
관련 표현
太贵了
Too expensive.
打折吗？
Is there a discount?
最低价是多少？
What is the lowest price?
老板
Boss (used to address shopkeepers).
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