How to Buy Stamps for Postcards at a Chinese Post Office (Mandarin)
Learn to ask for stamps for your postcards, say how many you need, and ask about international postcard rates at a Chinese post office in clear, polite Mandarin.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
At a Chinese post office (邮局, yóujú), buying stamps for postcards is a short, predictable exchange. You will greet the clerk, say you need stamps for postcards, give the number, and ask the price for international mail. This lesson gives you the exact sentences for that errand, with pinyin and tone marks. You will also learn the counter for flat items (张, zhāng) and how to ask 多少钱 (duōshao qián), 'how much money.' Keep your sentences short and polite; that is normal and appreciated. If the clerk answers with a number you do not catch, you can ask them to write it down or repeat it slowly.
By the end, you can…
- ask for stamps for my postcards at a post office.
- say how many stamps or postcards I need using 张.
- ask the price for international postcards.
- understand and respond to a simple price answer.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
你好，我要买邮票。
Hello, I want to buy stamps.
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào mǎi yóupiào.
A clear opening line at the counter. 要 (yào) means 'want/need' and is direct but polite in shops.
我要寄这些明信片。
I want to send these postcards.
Wǒ yào jì zhèxiē míngxìnpiàn.
Use this when you place the postcards on the counter. 寄 (jì) means 'to mail/send.'
这些明信片需要几张邮票？
How many stamps do these postcards need?
Zhèxiē míngxìnpiàn xūyào jǐ zhāng yóupiào?
A practical question. 几 (jǐ) asks 'how many' and usually expects a small number; 张 (zhāng) is the counter for stamps and postcards.
寄到美国多少钱？
How much does it cost to send to the United States?
Jì dào Měiguó duōshao qián?
Replace 美国 (Měiguó) with your country: 英国 (Yīngguó, UK), 加拿大 (Jiānádà, Canada), 澳大利亚 (Àodàlìyà, Australia).
国际明信片多少钱一张？
How much is one international postcard (per postcard)?
Guójì míngxìnpiàn duōshao qián yì zhāng?
国际 (guójì) means 'international.' This asks the rate for one postcard, useful when you have several.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 我要 + verb + object is your basic 'I want to...' frame: 我要买邮票 (I want to buy stamps), 我要寄明信片 (I want to send postcards). To ask how many, use 几 + counter: 几张邮票 (how many stamps). The counter 张 (zhāng) is used for flat things such as stamps, postcards, tickets and paper. So 'three stamps' is 三张邮票 (sān zhāng yóupiào), not 三个邮票. To ask a price, use 多少钱 (duōshao qián) after the item: 邮票多少钱？ (How much are the stamps?).
When to use it
Use 你好 (nǐ hǎo) when you reach the counter, then state your need. If you already know the rate, you can say 我要五张邮票，寄明信片 (I want five stamps, for postcards). If you are unsure, ask 这些明信片需要几张邮票？ Clerks may answer with a total price, for example 一共三十块 (thirty yuan altogether). If you do not understand, say 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn, please say it again) or 请写下来 (qǐng xiě xiàlái, please write it down). Numbers are often the hardest part, so asking for them in writing is completely normal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，我要买邮票。
Hello, I want to buy stamps.Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào mǎi yóupiào.好的。寄到哪里？
Okay. Where are you sending them?Hǎo de. Jì dào nǎlǐ?寄到美国。这些明信片需要几张邮票？
To the United States. How many stamps do these postcards need?Jì dào Měiguó. Zhèxiē míngxìnpiàn xūyào jǐ zhāng yóupiào?一张六块。你有几张明信片？
Six yuan each. How many postcards do you have?Yì zhāng liù kuài. Nǐ yǒu jǐ zhāng míngxìnpiàn?A little context goes a long way
Chinese post offices often have separate counters for mail, parcels and banking, so look for the mail counter or ask 寄明信片在哪儿？ (Where do I mail postcards?). Clerks usually speak fast; it is fine to ask them to repeat or write down the price. Paying by mobile payment is common, but cash is still accepted. Keep your request short and polite; adding 谢谢 (xièxie) at the end is natural.
One thing to watch for
Using 个 (gè) for stamps and postcards, as in 三个邮票.
Try this instead: Use the counter 张 (zhāng) for flat items: 三张邮票 (three stamps), 五张明信片 (five postcards). 个 is for many general objects but sounds wrong with stamps. If you are unsure of the counter, you can often just say the number and the item: 我要五张邮票 is the safe, correct form.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You have four postcards to send to the UK. Ask how many stamps they need.
Show a sample answer
这些明信片需要几张邮票？
This asks how many stamps are needed. You could also say 我要寄四张明信片，需要几张邮票？ (I want to send four postcards; how many stamps do they need?).
2Ask the price for one international postcard.
Show a sample answer
国际明信片多少钱一张？
This asks the per-item price. 多少钱 (how much money) plus 一张 (one item) is clear and natural. 国际明信片一张多少钱？ is also correct.
3Say you want to buy five stamps.
Show a sample answer
我要买五张邮票。
This uses 我要买 (I want to buy) plus number + 张 + 邮票. 我要五张邮票 is also acceptable and shorter.
At the post office, say 你好, then 我要买邮票 and 寄到 + country. Ask 几张邮票？ for the number and 多少钱？ for the price. Use 张 for stamps and postcards, and ask the clerk to repeat or write down any number you miss.
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