To exchange money or goods for something in return. To buy, purchase, or obtain anything; also to win over or bribe.
买
Common Usage & Traps
- 买东西 — to buy things / go shopping
- 买一个 — to buy one (of something)
- 买什么 — to buy what / what are you buying
- 买衣服 — to buy clothes
- 买不买 — to buy or not / whether to buy
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买钱换钱 or 花钱买 needs the thing you get. Cash is what you hand over, not what you normally buy.
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买一个东西们买东西 or 买一个东西们 attaches to people, not objects. 东西 does not take 们.
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我买他我在他那儿买的 or 我买他的东西我买他 sounds like you bought him as a person. Use 在...那儿 or 他的 to show the seller.
买 vs 卖: How to remember which one is buy and which is sell?
卖 (mài) has a 十 (price tag) on top because you put a price tag on goods to sell them. 买 (mǎi) has no price tag because you take goods in. 卖 gives away, 买 takes home.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Character shape | 卖 has 十 on top | Mixing up 买 and 卖 |
| Transaction direction | 买 takes home; 卖 gives away | Remembering by tone alone |
| Everyday example | 我买这个 (I'll buy this) | 我卖这个 when you mean buy |
Can you just shout 买 to a shopkeeper?
You can answer 买 if asked 'Do you want it?', but shouting 买 at a shopkeeper sounds like a command, not 'I'll take it.'
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Answering a yes/no question | 买! | 买! as a request to staff |
| Choosing in a shop | 我要这个 / 我买这个 | 买! |
| Tone | Polite and clear | Barking 买 at the owner |
Why does 买东西 mean go shopping but 买一个东西 sounds like exactly one object?
买东西 is the everyday phrase for shopping; 买一个东西 is literal and pins the purchase to one item.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| General shopping | 买东西 | 买一个东西 for general shopping |
| Exactly one item | 买一个东西 | 买东西 if you mean exactly one |
| Literal translation | Everyday phrase | Buy east west |
Can you say 我买他 for 'I bought it from him'?
No; 我买他 sounds like you bought him. Say 我在他那儿买的 or 我买他的东西.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Buy from him | 我在他那儿买的 / 我买他的东西 | 我买他 |
| Buy for him | 我给他买 | 我买他 |
| Literal person-buying | 我买他 if you really mean buying a person | Using 我买他 for normal shopping |
Appears in Stories 17 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
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今天白天的时候,我去我家这边的超市 买 东西。
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我 买 了三个小苹果,两个大苹果。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我很爱 买 东西。
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今天我正在一个商店 买 东西。
This short story follows a simple shopping trip in Beijing. You will learn words for buying a phone in Chinese.
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在北京的一个商店,我 买 了一个手机。
In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.
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钱学中喜欢吃,经常找爸妈要钱 买 东西吃。
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
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我给女朋友 买 了一个苹果,现在没钱了。
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A: 买 苹果?
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
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老先生天天来, 买 一杯热茶。
Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.
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我和妈妈去那个商店 买 点喝的东西。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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游客想去喝茶,还要 买 门票。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
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买 了五只小猫,七百零五块钱。
This simple story introduces you to a family and what each member likes to do. Learn helpful words for food and daily activities as you read about Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and the kids.
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姐姐 买 衣服。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
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去年 买 了新电脑。
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明年我想 买 新车。
Welcome! This short poem helps you practice the months, weekdays, and mealtimes in Chinese. Read it aloud and notice the rhythm. You already know many of these words!
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星期日和天,日日和爱人,超市 买 菜米,回家做饭忙。
Read this short story about people waiting in the rain for a new phone. You will practice numbers, time, and everyday vocabulary.
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晚上,我坐出租车去大学那边的苹果商店 买 手机。
Join a shopper on a quick trip to the store. You'll learn simple words for shopping and feelings in this easy-to-follow story.
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我想 买 电视。
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这个商店没有我想 买 的电视。
In this easy story, you will follow a simple trip to the supermarket to buy apples. Practice numbers, question words, and nationalities in a real-life shopping context.
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今天去超市 买 东西。
Before you read, think about the questions you ask every day. This simple poem shows you how to ask age, price, time, and more in friendly Chinese.
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买 东西,多少钱?
Shopping for fruit is a common daily task in China. Practice saying prices, counting items, and using simple shopping phrases while buying five apples for three yuan.
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今天我在一个商店 买 东西。
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今天我 买 了五个苹果。
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