Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)
买
mǎi
to buy
Third tone mǎi (to buy); don't mix it up with fourth-tone (mài, to sell). (mǎi dōngxi) means to go shopping.
Speed:
Basic
基本
Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bù mǎi).
| affirmative | 我买这个。Wǒ mǎi zhège. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 太贵了，我不买。Tài guì le, wǒ bù mǎi. | |
| question | 你买什么？Nǐ mǎi shénme? |
Completed
了
Something that has happened. Negative with (méi), and then 了 drops.
| affirmative | 我买了一本书。Wǒ mǎile yì běn shū. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我什么都没买。Wǒ shénme dōu méi mǎi. | |
| question | 你买了吗？Nǐ mǎi le ma? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我在网上买过衣服。Wǒ zài wǎngshang mǎiguo yīfu. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在这儿买过东西。Wǒ méi zài zhèr mǎiguo dōngxi. | |
| question | 你在网上买过东西吗？Nǐ zài wǎngshang mǎiguo dōngxi ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
: what you want to buy (also when ordering in a shop). : you've changed your mind.
| affirmative | 我要买两斤苹果。Wǒ yào mǎi liǎng jīn píngguǒ. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不买了。Wǒ bù mǎi le. | |
| question | 您要买什么？Nín yào mǎi shénme? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
: it's possible or allowed to buy. (mǎi bu qǐ): can't afford it.
| affirmative | 在网上可以买票。Zài wǎngshang kěyǐ mǎi piào. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 这儿不能买票。Zhèr bù néng mǎi piào. | |
| question | 在这儿可以买票吗？Zài zhèr kěyǐ mǎi piào ma? | |
| can't | 太贵了，我买不起。Tài guì le, wǒ mǎi bu qǐ. |
Result
结果补语
: to manage to buy, to get. (mǎi bu dào): impossible to get.
| affirmative | 我买到票了。Wǒ mǎidào piào le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没买到票。Wǒ méi mǎidào piào. | |
| question | 你买到票了吗？Nǐ mǎidào piào le ma? | |
| can't | 现在买不到票了。Xiànzài mǎi bu dào piào le. |
Examples
- 我去超市买东西。Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi dōngxi.I'm going to the supermarket to do some shopping.
- 这个多少钱？我买两个。Zhège duōshao qián? Wǒ mǎi liǎng ge.How much is this? I'll take two.
- 你在哪儿买的？Nǐ zài nǎr mǎi de?Where did you buy it?