There are certain things I always hear when shopping. So, I've gone ahead and tracked them down so we can understand every word.

• Literal, word by word translations appear in [brackets].
• Optional words appear in (parentheses)
• Notes appear with an asterisk (*in parentheses)
• Measure words are translated in {curly brackets}.
• Alternative translations are separated by a slash (/)

First words

nǐ xiǎng/yào mǎi diǎn shénme? 你想/要买点什么?= What would you like to buy? [you want buy little what]nǐ xiǎng/yào mǎi diǎn shá? 你想/要买点啥?= What would you like to buy? [you want buy little what (*northern dialect)]nǐ yào shénme? 你要什么?= What would you like? [you want what]mǎi shénme? 买什么?= What would you like? [buy what]

Time to pay

shōu nǐ bā kuài qián 收你八块钱= Received your 8 yuanzhǎo nǐ yí kuài qián 找你一块钱= Here's your 1 yuan change [find you 1 yuan]

Please wait

(shāo) děng yíhuìr 稍等一会儿= just a moment [(little) wait a moment](shāo) děng yíxià 稍等一下= just a moment [(little) wait a moment]See also Stuff you might be hearing - Restaurants