Need to know how to say discount in Chinese? The word is 打折 (dǎ zhé), and you’ll use it every time you shop, eat out, or bargain at a market in China. After twelve years of living in Tianjin as an American expat, I’ve learned that 打折 is basically the magic word that turns a regular purchase into a victory. Whether you’re hitting the malls, ordering at a restaurant, or just trying to ask about prices, this phrase will save you money.
The first time I successfully used 打折 was at a clothing market near Tianjin’s Binjiang Dao. I pointed at a jacket, the vendor said 三百块 (sān bǎi kuài, 300 yuan), and I managed to say 能打折吗? (Néng dǎ zhé ma? Can you give a discount?). She laughed, probably at my accent, but then she knocked it down to 二百二 (èr bǎi èr, 220 yuan). I walked out feeling like a negotiation master. That was in 2013, and I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about 打折, from pronunciation and character breakdown to real-world scenarios where it works. I’ll also cover some related vocabulary that comes in handy when you’re trying to get a better deal in China.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Chinese phrase for discount is 打折 (dǎ zhé), literally meaning “hit fold” or “break fold.”
- You’ll use 打折 at markets, restaurants, and stores when you want a lower price.
- Related words like coupon (优惠券) and expensive (贵) often come up in the same conversations.
Character Breakdown of 打折
Let’s break down the two characters in 打折 so you understand what you’re actually saying:
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Component Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 打 | dǎ | to hit, to strike, to make | Hand (扌) + Nail (丁) |
| 折 | zhé | to fold, to break, to discount | Hand (扌) + Ax (斤) |
打 means “to hit” or “to strike.” The left side is the hand radical (扌), and the right side (丁) represents a nail or small object. So 打 is literally “hand hitting a nail.” In the context of discounts, think of it as “striking a deal” or “making a break” in the price.
折 means “to fold” or “to break.” The left side is again the hand radical (扌), and the right side (斤) is an ancient ax or weight measure. The idea is that you’re “breaking” the original price into a smaller piece, like folding a piece of paper in half.
Together, 打折 literally means “hit fold.” The imagery is vivid: you’re breaking the price down, folding it into something smaller. When you hear 打八折 (dǎ bā zhé), it means “hit 80% fold,” which translates to a 20% discount. The math works backward from what English speakers expect, which is why understanding the logic matters.
How to Pronounce 打折
Pronouncing 打折 correctly is straightforward once you know the tones:
dǎ zhé
- dǎ, Third tone (falling-rising). Start mid-level, dip down, then rise back up. Think of it like saying “duh-ah” with your voice doing a little dip and bounce.
- zhé, Second tone (rising). Start low and rise up, like you’re asking a question. It sounds like “juh” with an upward inflection.
The third tone followed by the second tone creates a nice rhythm. 打折 has a bouncy, upward feel at the end, which is kind of fitting when you think about it. You’re asking for something, and your tone naturally lifts in hope.
Here’s a pro tip from my years in Tianjin: when you say 打折, say it with confidence but not aggression. Chinese vendors respond to friendly negotiation, not confrontation. A smile and a casual 能打折吗? works way better than a demanding tone. I learned this after getting flat-out rejected a few times for sounding too pushy. Preply has some solid articles on Chinese negotiation culture if you want to understand the mindset before you shop.
If you want to check your pronunciation, MDBG Dictionary has excellent audio examples for both characters. I still use it when I run into words I haven’t heard before.
When and Where to Ask for 打折
Your 打折 isn’t just for clothing markets. In China, discounts happen in more places than you might expect. Here’s where they come up in real life.
Markets and Street Vendors
This is the obvious one. When you’re asking about prices at a local market, the first price is almost never the final price. Bargaining is expected, and 打折 is your opening move. Vendors in places like Beijing’s Silk Market or Shanghai’s AP Plaza expect foreigners to negotiate.
The phrase you’ll use most often is 能打折吗? (Néng dǎ zhé ma?, Can you give a discount?). Sometimes vendors will proactively say 已经打折了 (Yǐ jīng dǎ zhé le, It’s already discounted) to shut down further negotiation. Don’t believe it. That’s just the opening line.
Restaurants and Cafes
Here’s something that surprised me after years in China: some restaurants, especially smaller local ones, will give you a discount if you ask. Not chain restaurants or fancy spots, but the neighborhood joints where the owner is also the cook. When you’re paying the bill, a friendly 老板，能打折吗? (Lǎo bǎn, néng dǎ zhé ma?, Boss, can I get a discount?) can knock 10-20% off.
I do this regularly at my favorite lamb skewer place in Tianjin. The owner knows me now, so he usually just rounds down without me even asking. But it started with me asking for 打折 every time I went. Building that relationship pays off.
Retail Stores and Malls
Big box stores and malls in China often have official sales with big red signs screaming 打折 everywhere. During Singles Day (November 11) and Chinese New Year, the discounts get ridiculous. I’m talking 50-70% off. When you’re handling money at checkout, those discounts are already applied, but knowing the vocabulary helps you understand what’s happening. SupChina did a great breakdown of how Singles Day became the world’s biggest shopping event if you want the full story.
Some stores also have membership cards that give automatic 打折. When you’re using a coupon or membership discount, the cashier might ask 有会员卡吗? (Yǒu huì yuán kǎ ma?, Do you have a membership card?). Worth signing up if you shop there regularly.
Related Vocabulary for Bargaining
Once you know 打折, you’ll quickly run into these related words. They’re the vocabulary cluster that every shopper in China needs:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expensive | 贵 | guì | When you want to complain about the price |
| Cheap | 便宜 | pián yi | When you want to praise a good deal |
| Coupon | 优惠券 | yōu huì quàn | Digital or paper vouchers for discounts |
| Membership card | 会员卡 | huì yuán kǎ | For store loyalty discounts |
| Sale | 促销 | cù xiāo | Store-wide sales and promotions |
The word 贵 (guì, expensive) is especially useful. When a vendor quotes a high price, responding with 太贵了 (Tài guì le, Too expensive!) is a classic bargaining move. It sets up the negotiation and gives the vendor a reason to drop the price. I use this one all the time at the fruit market near my apartment.
便宜 (pián yi, cheap) is the opposite. When you finally get a good price, you can say 很便宜 (Hěn pián yi, Very cheap) to compliment the vendor. It’s a nice way to close the deal on a positive note. Vendors appreciate customers who acknowledge a good offer. Sapore di Cina has an excellent guide on Chinese shopping etiquette if you want to dive deeper into how locals bargain.
Common Phrases with 打折
Here are the phrases I use most often when trying to get a discount in China. These are practical, real-world expressions:
- 能打折吗? (Néng dǎ zhé ma?), Can you give a discount?
- 打几折? (Dǎ jǐ zhé?), What discount do you offer?
- 打八折 (Dǎ bā zhé), 20% off (pay 80% of original price)
- 太贵了，能便宜一点吗? (Tài guì le, néng pián yi yì diǎn ma?), Too expensive, can you make it cheaper?
- 已经打折了 (Yǐ jīng dǎ zhé le), It’s already discounted (what vendors say)
That last one is what vendors say to you, not what you say to them. But it’s good to recognize. When you hear 已经打折了, it usually means there’s still room to negotiate, but you’ll need to push a little harder. Try responding with 还能再便宜一点吗? (Hái néng zài pián yi yì diǎn ma?, Can it be even cheaper?).
One more thing about numbers: 打八折 means you pay 80% of the original price, which is a 20% discount. 打五折 means 50% off. The number after 打 indicates the percentage you PAY, not the percentage you SAVE. This trips up a lot of foreigners at first. When a vendor says 打九折, they mean 10% off, not 90% off. I made that mistake once and got laughed at. Fair enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
How do you say discount in Chinese?
Discount in Chinese is 打折 (dǎ zhé). It literally means “hit fold” and refers to reducing the original price. The number after 打 indicates what percentage of the original price you pay.
What does 打八折 mean?
打八折 (dǎ bā zhé) means you pay 80% of the original price, which is a 20% discount. The number after 打 shows the percentage you pay, not the discount amount.
Can you bargain at restaurants in China?
At small local restaurants, yes, you can sometimes ask for a discount. Chain restaurants and high-end places typically have fixed prices. Try asking 老板，能打折吗? at neighborhood spots.
How do I ask “Can you make it cheaper?” in Chinese?
Say 能便宜一点吗? (Néng pián yi yì diǎn ma?) for a casual request, or 太贵了，能打折吗? (Tài guì le, néng dǎ zhé ma?) when you want to mention the price is too high first.
What is the difference between 打折 and 优惠券?
打折 (dǎ zhé) is a percentage discount applied directly at purchase. 优惠券 (yōu huì quàn) is a coupon or voucher that gives a specific discount amount. Both work in stores, but coupons are usually pre-obtained.
Do malls in China have fixed prices?
Most malls and department stores have fixed prices, but they run frequent sales with 打折 signs. During major holidays like Singles Day and Chinese New Year, discounts can reach 50-70% off.
How do Chinese discount numbers work?
Chinese discounts use a reverse system. 打八折 means pay 80% (20% off). 打五折 means pay 50% (50% off). The number after 打 indicates the percentage of the original price you actually pay.
Advanced ways for how to say discount in Chinese sentences
-
Chinese: 这件衣服能打折吗？
Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yī fu néng dǎ zhé ma?
English: Can you give a discount on this piece of clothing? (Standard opening when you’re hitting the malls.) -
Chinese: 今天全场打五折。
Pinyin: Jīn tiān quán chǎng dǎ wǔ zhé.
English: Today everything in the store is 50% off. (What you’ll see on sale signs during major holidays.) -
Chinese: 用会员卡可以打八折。
Pinyin: Yòng huì yuán kǎ kě yǐ dǎ bā zhé.
English: With a membership card you can get 20% off. (When the cashier asks if you have a loyalty card.) -
Chinese: 太贵了，能不能再便宜一点？
Pinyin: Tài guì le, néng bù néng zài pián yi yì diǎn?
English: Too expensive, can you make it any cheaper? (The classic follow-up when a vendor claims the price is fixed.) -
Chinese: 如果买两件，可以打折吗？
Pinyin: Rú guǒ mǎi liǎng jiàn, kě yǐ dǎ zhé ma?
English: If I buy two, can I get a discount? (A great tactic for bulk discounts at markets.)
After twelve years in Tianjin, I’ve learned that 打折 is more than just a shopping word. It’s a social skill. From restaurant bills to clothing markets to electronics malls, knowing how and when to ask for a discount saves you serious money over time.
Want to keep building your shopping vocabulary? Check out our guides on asking about prices, using coupons, and handling money. Each one builds on the basics and gets you closer to shopping in China like a local.
