买那个
mǎi nà ge
The English phrase 'buy that one' is translated into Chinese as 买那个 (mǎi nà ge).
This phrase is used to indicate a specific item that a person wants to purchase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 买 (buy) and the demonstrative phrase 那个 (that one).
How does it change in a sentence?
The demonstrative phrase 那个 (nà ge) can be replaced with 这个 (zhè ge) to mean 'buy this one'.
How do you pronounce it?
mǎi nà ge
Did you know?
- When using 那个 (nà ge) to point at something, it is culturally common to use a flat palm rather than a single finger to indicate the item you want to 'buy', as pointing with one finger can sometimes be perceived as rude.
- In rapid speech, 那个 often sounds like nèi ge rather than nà ge, a pronunciation shift that is common across most of mainland China.
- The word 那个 (nà ge) is so common as a hesitation marker that it is often used by native speakers much like 'uh' or 'um' is used in English, often losing its demonstrative meaning entirely in casual speech.
Examples in context
- 买那个吧。Mǎi nàge ba.Let's buy that one.
- 我想买那个。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi nàge.I want to buy that one.
- 我们就买那个吗？Wǒmen jiù mǎi nàge ma?Are we just buying that one?
Example conversation
Two friends are shopping for a gift.
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，你喜欢哪个？Jùnjié, nǐ xǐhuān nǎge?Junjie, which one do you like?
- 俊杰 Junjie我决定买那个。Wǒ juédìng mǎi nàge.I've decided to buy that one.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个颜色很漂亮。Nàge yánsè hěn piàoliang.That color is very beautiful.
- 俊杰 Junjie对，所以我买那个。Duì, suǒyǐ wǒ mǎi nàge.Right, so I'll buy that one.
