ioChinese

买

HSK 1
mǎi

Definitions & Senses

#1 mǎi 动 HSK 1

To exchange money or goods for something in return. To buy, purchase, or obtain anything; also to win over or bribe. A net (乛) cast over a coin (贝, now 头) shows money trading hands.

Never Mix Up Buying (买) and Selling (卖)

One tone and one stroke make all the difference

买 (mǎi) means to buy, 卖 (mài) means to sell. The trick is in the tone and the top stroke.

Key Contrast: 买 vs. 卖 (mài)

买 has a third tone (mǎi) and a flat top (乛), while 卖 has a fourth tone (mài) and an extra '十' on top. The extra stroke in 卖 represents the seller putting something out for sale.

Memory Hook

Think: 买 (mǎi) has a 'net' (乛) catching coins (贝) — you're taking money out. 卖 (mài) has a 'ten' (十) on top — the seller is holding up the goods for ten times the price.

Everyday Phrases Native Speakers Use Constantly

Natural spoken combinations for daily life

买东西 mǎi dōngxi
to go shopping; to buy things
The universal default for 'shopping' in casual speech.
买单 mǎi dān
to pay the restaurant bill
Say this to the waiter when you finish eating.
买票 mǎi piào
to buy a ticket
Use for train, movie, or event tickets.
买衣服 mǎi yīfu
to buy clothes
A common errand phrase.
买房子 mǎi fángzi
to buy a house
Big purchase, often used in real estate contexts.

Plug-and-Play Sentence Templates

Ready-to-use patterns for errands and transactions

Pattern 去 + [Place] + 买 + [Noun]

State your destination and what you're picking up.

我去超市买水果。

Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi shuǐguǒ.

I'm heading to the supermarket to get fruit.

Pattern 买 + [Noun] + 给 + [Person]

Say who you're buying something for.

我买礼物给妈妈。

Wǒ mǎi lǐwù gěi māma.

I'm buying a gift for my mom.

Pattern 在 + [Place] + 买 + [Noun]

Specify where you bought something.

我在网上买书。

Wǒ zài wǎngshàng mǎi shū.

I buy books online.

Real Context Sentences 3 occurrences

Source Reading: 《五个苹果三块钱》HSK 1
Source Reading: 《这还是茶馆儿吗？》HSK 3

Character Breakdown

买
mǎi HSK 1

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