Chinese Numbers and Prices for Beginners
Learn Mandarin phrases for asking prices, hearing prices, and confirming quantities.
Useful phrases
这个多少钱？
Zhège duōshao qián?
How much is this?
我要两个。
Wǒ yào liǎng ge.
I want two.
太贵了。
Tài guì le.
That is too expensive.
How to use this pattern
For shopping, the key pieces are price and quantity. Learn one to ten first, then practice teens and tens.
Practice routine
Use the same item and change the quantity: “我要一个”, “我要两个”, “我要三个”.
Common mistake
Watch “两” versus “二”: before quantities, “两” is common, as in “两杯咖啡” and “两个苹果”.
FAQ
What is the difference between “多少钱” and “多少”?
“多少钱” asks price. “多少” asks quantity. In shops, use “多少钱？”
Why is it “两杯” and not “二杯”?
Before measure words, Mandarin often uses “两”, such as “两杯”, “两个”, and “两张”.
Keep learning
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