Piányi diǎn ba.
Make it cheaper, come on.
Safe with anyone
The universal opener. The ba softens it into a request, so even first time hagglers can say it without friction.
REAL SPOKEN CHINESE
How do you haggle in Chinese?
Open by asking for the lowest price, answer their offer with a lower one, and be ready to walk away slowly. In Chinese markets haggling is expected and friendly, the seller starts high on purpose, and the slow walk toward the exit is the strongest move you have.
Liǎng jiàn néng bù néng zài shǎo diǎn?
If I take two, can you go lower?
Safe with anyone
Offering volume before asking for the discount gives the seller a reason to say yes. Works in shops as well as markets.
Lǎobǎn, zuìdī duōshao qián?
Boss, what is your lowest price?
Friends and coworkers
Laoban is how you address any stall keeper. Asking for the floor price straight away skips three rounds of theatre.
Tài guì le, shǎo diǎn.
Too expensive, take some off.
Friends and coworkers
Blunt but normal market talk. The trick is to sound mildly surprised by the price, not angry at the seller.
Wǒ cháng lái, gěi ge shízai jià.
I come here often, give me an honest price.
Friends and coworkers
You are trading future loyalty for today's discount. Shizai jia, the honest price, is the phrase every seller understands.
Língtóu jiù mǒ le ba.
Just drop the small change.
Friends and coworkers
Asking to round down instead of a big cut. Sellers agree to this easily, which makes it a good closing move.
Xíng, wǒ zài qù bié jiā kànkan.
Alright, I will go look at other stalls.
Friends and coworkers
The walk away. Say it politely and leave slowly. Half the time the seller calls you back with a better number.
Wǎngshang cái mài yíbàn.
Online it sells for half of that.
Friends and coworkers
The modern counter. Only use it if you actually checked, a seller who knows the real online price will call your bluff.
Zhè jià nǐ kēng shéi ne?
Who do you think you are ripping off?
Close friends only
Mock outrage, only with a vendor you already joke with. Said to a stranger this starts a fight, said to a familiar face it starts the real haggling.
What the labels mean
- Safe with anyone
- Fine at work, fine with your partner's parents.
- Friends and coworkers
- Normal among people your own age. Skip it with elders, clients and officials.
- Close friends only
- Carries a swear or an insult. Only with people who would swear back.
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