Shopping

1. 這个偌濟錢？

   Tsit-ê juā-tsē tsînn?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Ask the price of an item at a market or shop. Regional variation: 偌濟 is said guā-tsē, guā-tsuē or juā-tsē.

   Grammar Note

   "Juā-tsē" means "how much/many." "Tsînn" means money

2. 會使算較俗無？

   Ē-sái sǹg khah-sio̍k bô?

   Can you give me a discount?

   Usage

   Bargain for a lower price at a night market or market stall

   Grammar Note

   "Ē-sái" means can/possible. "Sio̍k" is the Taiwanese word for cheap/inexpensive

3. 我欲買這个

   Guá beh bé tsit-ê

   I'll take this one

   Usage

   Tell the vendor you want to purchase a specific item

   Grammar Note

   "Beh" expresses intent. "Bé" is the Taiwanese pronunciation of "buy"

4. 有較大的無？

   Ū khah-tuā-ê bô?

   Do you have a bigger size?

   Usage

   Ask if a larger size is available for clothing or shoes

   Grammar Note

   "Khah" is a comparative adverb meaning "more." "Khah-tuā" means bigger

5. 我看看咧

   Guá khuànn-khuànn-leh

   I'm just browsing

   Usage

   Tell a sales staff you are just looking around, no purchase decided yet

   Grammar Note

   Verb reduplication "khuànn-khuànn" indicates a light, casual action. "Leh" adds a soft, ongoing nuance

6. 有無折扣？

   Ū-bô tsiat-khàu?

   Is there a discount?

   Usage

   Ask if there is a sale or discount available

   Grammar Note

   "Ū-bô" (have or not) is a classic Taiwanese yes/no question structure

7. 會使刷卡無？

   Ē-sái suat-khah bô?

   Can I pay by credit card?

   Usage

   Check whether card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Suat-khah" literally means "slide card." A colloquial term for card payment

8. 無欲買，多謝

   Bô-beh-bé, to-siā

   No thank you, I don't need it

   Usage

   Politely decline to buy something

   Grammar Note

   "Bô-beh" negates the desire. Adding "to-siā" keeps the refusal polite

9. 有無包裝袋？

   Ū-bô pau-tsong-tē?

   Do you have a bag?

   Usage

   Ask for a shopping bag when buying items

   Grammar Note

   Since 2018, plastic bags in Taiwan are often charged or banned, so asking is important

10. 會使換無？

    Ē-sái uānn bô?

    Can I exchange this?

    Usage

    Ask to exchange an item for another

    Grammar Note

    "Uānn" means to exchange or swap. For a refund, use "thè-hùe" instead

11. 我毋免收據

    Guá m̄-bián siu-kì

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining when the cashier offers you the receipt

    Grammar Note

    "M̄-bián" means "not necessary, no need", and the example "m̄-bián pó-ke" (no need for a guarantor) shows it taking a bare noun. A short "Bián--lah" also declines. The affirmative is "Guá beh siu-kì".

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