Chinese for the Print Shop: Asking About Special Paper
Learn to ask for coated, kraft, or matte paper in a Chinese print shop, specify thickness, and confirm availability using natural, polite questions.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you need printing on special paper, the key is to name the paper type and ask whether the shop stocks it. In Chinese print shops, staff expect you to mention the paper first, then the job. This lesson teaches you three common paper terms—铜版纸 (coated paper), 牛皮纸 (kraft paper), and 哑光 (matte)—and two essential patterns: 有这种纸吗? (Do you have this kind of paper?) and 厚度是多少? (What is the thickness?). You will also learn how to ask for a specific thickness and check if a sample is available. The language is neutral and practical, suitable for a quick conversation at the counter. No prior print vocabulary is needed, but you should be ready to combine paper names with simple question forms. By the end, you can walk into a shop, state your paper preference, and get clear answers without switching to English.
By the end, you can…
- name three common paper types in Chinese: 铜版纸, 牛皮纸, and 哑光.
- ask whether a print shop has a specific paper using 有这种纸吗?
- ask about paper thickness using 厚度 and understand the answer.
- request to see or feel a paper sample before printing.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
有这种纸吗？
Do you have this kind of paper?
yǒu zhè zhǒng zhǐ ma?
Use this while pointing to a sample or a picture on your phone. It works for any paper type.
我要铜版纸。
I want coated paper.
wǒ yào tóng bǎn zhǐ.
铜版纸 is smooth and common for flyers and photos. Say this to state your preference directly.
有牛皮纸吗？
Do you have kraft paper?
yǒu niú pí zhǐ ma?
牛皮纸 is brown and textured, often used for envelopes or rustic designs. Use this to check availability.
这个厚度是多少？
What is the thickness of this?
zhè ge dù hòu shì duō shǎo?
Ask this while holding a paper sample. The answer may be in 克 (grams) or 毫米 (millimeters).
我想摸一下哑光的样品。
I'd like to feel a matte sample.
wǒ xiǎng mō yī xià yǎ guāng de yàng pǐn.
哑光 means matte. Use this to request a physical sample before deciding.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 有…吗? (yǒu…ma?) means 'Do you have…?' and is the most direct way to ask about availability. Insert the paper name before 吗. For example: 有铜版纸吗? (Do you have coated paper?), 有牛皮纸吗? (Do you have kraft paper?), 有哑光的吗? (Do you have matte ones?). To ask about thickness, use 厚度是多少? (What is the thickness?) or 这个厚度是多少? (What is the thickness of this?). If you want a specific thickness, say 我要…克的 (I want … grams) or 我要…毫米的 (I want … millimeters). For instance, 我要250克的铜版纸 (I want 250-gram coated paper). These patterns are polite and neutral, suitable for any print shop.
When to use it
Use 有这种纸吗? when you are not sure of the exact name or want to confirm stock. Point to a sample or show a photo. Use 有铜版纸吗? or 有牛皮纸吗? when you know the term. For matte, you can say 有哑光的吗? (Do you have matte ones?) because 哑光 is an adjective; adding 的 makes it a noun phrase. Ask 这个厚度是多少? only when you have a sample in hand or are pointing at a specific option. If the staff gives a number, you can repeat it to confirm: 是250克吗? (Is it 250 grams?). To request a sample, say 我想摸一下样品 (I'd like to feel a sample) or 有样品吗? (Do you have a sample?). These questions keep the conversation focused and help you avoid misunderstandings.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，我想印一些宣传单。有铜版纸吗？
Hello, I'd like to print some flyers. Do you have coated paper?nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yìn yī xiē xuān chuán dān. yǒu tóng bǎn zhǐ ma?有的。你要多少克的？
Yes, we do. What gram weight do you want?yǒu de. nǐ yào duō shao kè de?我要250克的。这个厚度是多少？
I want 250-gram. What is the thickness of this?wǒ yào èr bǎi wǔ shí kè de. zhè ge dù hòu shì duō shǎo?大概0.25毫米。你要哑光的还是亮光的？
About 0.25 millimeters. Do you want matte or glossy?dà gài líng diǎn èr wǔ háo mǐ. nǐ yào yǎ guāng de hái shì liàng guāng de?A little context goes a long way
In Chinese print shops, staff often ask about 克 (grams) rather than millimeters for paper thickness. 克 refers to paper weight, which correlates with thickness. If you are unsure, ask to feel samples: 我想摸一下样品. Politeness is maintained by using 请 (please) or 麻烦你 (sorry to trouble you) when making requests. Avoid assuming the shop has every paper in stock; asking 有…吗? is standard and not considered rude. If you need a specific brand, describe it by color or finish rather than naming a company, as staff may not carry that brand.
One thing to watch for
Asking '有铜版纸?' without 吗, which sounds abrupt or incomplete.
Try this instead: Add 吗 to form a yes/no question: 有铜版纸吗? (Do you have coated paper?). Alternatively, use the affirmative-negative form: 有没有铜版纸? (Do you have coated paper or not?). Both are natural and polite.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if the shop has kraft paper?
Show a sample answer
有牛皮纸吗？
This uses the pattern 有…吗? with the paper name 牛皮纸. You could also ask 有没有牛皮纸? which is equally correct.
2You want to know the thickness of a paper sample. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
这个厚度是多少？
This asks 'What is the thickness of this?' while pointing at the sample. You can also say 这个有多厚? (How thick is this?) in casual speech.
3How do you request to feel a matte sample?
Show a sample answer
我想摸一下哑光的样品。
This politely states your wish to touch a matte sample. You could shorten it to 有哑光的样品吗? (Do you have a matte sample?) if you just want to know availability.
Name the paper first, then ask 有…吗? for availability and 厚度是多少? for thickness. Pointing and asking to feel samples is normal and helps you choose confidently.
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