买
mǎi
The Chinese word for 'buy' is 买 (mǎi).
买 means to obtain something with money.
Meaning: to obtain something with money (verb)
Which one should you use?
Be careful not to confuse 买 (mǎi), which means 'to buy', with 卖 (mài), which means 'to sell'. These two words are distinguished only by their tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
买 is the standard word for 'buy' in Mandarin Chinese.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the meaning of the verb by adding particles to indicate different aspects of the action. Adding the particle 了 after 买 indicates the completed action of buying, often translated as 'bought'. Adding the particle 过 after the verb indicates the experience of having bought something in the past.
How do you pronounce it?
mǎi
Did you know?
- The word for 'buy' 买 is used in the term 买路钱, referring to 'road-buying money' or a toll paid to bandits or local lords for safe passage through a territory.
- In Chinese culture, the act of 'buying' 买 is often accompanied by 'haggling' 讨价还价. In traditional markets, paying the first price mentioned by the seller is considered a mistake rather than a courtesy.
- In modern digital culture, the phrase 买买买 (buy buy buy) is a popular slang term used to describe the act of 'retail therapy' or compulsive shopping.
Examples in context
- 我要买什么？What should I buy?This sentence shows how to use 买 to ask about a purchase.Tatoeba #423156 by GlossaMatik, translation #423157 by CM
- 他不能买车。He is unable to buy a car.This sentence uses 买 to express an inability to purchase something.Tatoeba #8692916 by crescat, translation #298495 by CK
- 我没买面包。I didn't buy bread.This sentence uses 买 to express a negative past action.Tatoeba #10002066 by GlossaMatik, translation #6274448 by CK
- 我需要购买一本汉语词典。I need to buy a Chinese dictionary.
- 我要去买点水果。I'm going to buy some fruit.
- 能便宜一点吗?Can you make it cheaper?
- 231 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
佳怡 and 伟 are at a supermarket.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你想买点什么？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi diǎn shénme?What do you want to buy?
- 伟 Wei我想买一些水果。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē shuǐguǒ.I want to buy some fruit.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们也买点牛奶吧。Nà wǒmen yě mǎi diǎn niúnǎi ba.Then let's buy some milk too.
- 伟 Wei好的，没问题。Hǎo de, méi wèntí.Okay, no problem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
