Shopping
Money, prices, and bargaining
Markets and shops are where you put your Cantonese to work, so this unit covers the language of spending money. You will count dollars and cents, ask what something costs, react when the price feels steep, and politely buy what you came for.
Each lesson builds on the last, ending with the small grammar trick that makes asking for a discount sound natural. Work through it and you will handle a real stall or shop with confidence.
- 1
MoneyHong Kong dollars and cents - 2
Asking PricesHow much? Too expensive! - 3
BargainingCan it be cheaper? - 4
Buying ThingsI want to buy this 
A bit cheaperGrammar
Test your knowledgeQuiz
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask how much something costs in Cantonese?
The everyday phrase is 幾多錢 (gei2 do1 cin2), which means “how much?”. You can point at an item and say it on its own, and a shopkeeper will understand right away.
How do you bargain in Cantonese?
Start by asking 平啲啦 (peng4 di1 laa1), “make it cheaper”, or ask for the lowest price with 最平幾多 (zeoi3 peng4 gei2 do1). Friendly persistence at markets and small shops is normal and expected.
What is the Cantonese word for money or dollars?
A dollar is 蚊 (man1), so $10 is 十蚊 (sap6 man1). Smaller change is counted in 毫 (hou4), where 五毫 (ng5 hou4) is fifty cents.
Is this shopping unit good for beginners?
Yes. It assumes only basic numbers and builds up phrase by phrase, so you can start using prices and bargaining lines after a single sitting. The whole course is free to read online, and in the app your first lesson is free to try.