How to Say 'This One Is Cheaper, Bigger, Fresher' in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to compare items while shopping in Mandarin using 这个 (zhège) with adjectives like 便宜 (piányi), 大 (dà), and 新鲜 (xīnxiān). Build phrases to point out qualities and make better choices at markets or stores.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When shopping in Chinese-speaking places, you often need to compare items directly. Instead of just choosing between two options, you might want to say that a particular item is cheaper, bigger, or fresher. In Mandarin, this is done with the pattern 这个 + adjective. This lesson teaches you how to use 这个 (zhège, 'this one') with common adjectives to highlight qualities. You'll learn to say phrases like 'This one is cheaper' or 'This one is fresher' and understand how to use them in real shopping situations. We'll focus on the structure and vocabulary needed to make simple comparisons without using complex grammar.
By the end, you can…
- say that a specific item is cheaper, bigger, or fresher in Mandarin.
- use 这个 (zhège) with adjectives to point out qualities when shopping.
- understand and respond to simple comparisons about products.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个便宜。
This one is cheap.
Zhège piányi.
Use when pointing at an item that costs less. 便宜 (piányi) means 'cheap' or 'inexpensive'.
这个更大。
This one is bigger.
Zhège gèng dà.
Add 更 (gèng) before the adjective to mean 'more' or '-er'. Here, 大 (dà) means 'big'. Without 更, 这个大 means 'This one is big' rather than 'bigger'.
这个新鲜。
This one is fresh.
Zhège xīnxiān.
Use for food like produce or meat. 新鲜 (xīnxiān) means 'fresh'.
这个贵。
This one is expensive.
Zhège guì.
The opposite of 便宜 (piányi). Use when an item costs more.
这个好。
This one is good.
Zhège hǎo.
A general positive comment. 好 (hǎo) means 'good'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is 这个 + adjective. For example, 这个便宜 (zhège piányi) means 'This one is cheap.' To say 'This one is cheaper,' you can add 更 (gèng) before the adjective: 这个更便宜 (zhège gèng piányi). However, in everyday shopping, simply saying 这个便宜 is often enough to imply a comparison. You can also use 这个 with other adjectives like 大 (dà, big), 小 (xiǎo, small), 新鲜 (xīnxiān, fresh), 贵 (guì, expensive), and 好 (hǎo, good). Remember that adjectives in Chinese do not change form; they stay the same regardless of the noun. Also, adjectives can stand alone as predicates without 是 (shì).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a market, store, or any shopping situation where you want to comment on a specific item. For instance, if you see two apples and one looks fresher, you can point and say 这个新鲜 (zhège xīnxiān). If you are comparing prices, say 这个便宜 (zhège piányi). It's common to use these phrases when talking to a vendor or a friend. You can also combine them: 这个又便宜又新鲜 (zhège yòu piányi yòu xīnxiān) means 'This one is both cheap and fresh.' The pattern is flexible and easy to use.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你看，这个苹果新鲜吗？
Look, is this apple fresh?Nǐ kàn, zhège píngguǒ xīnxiān ma?这个新鲜，那个不新鲜。
This one is fresh, that one is not fresh.Zhège xīnxiān, nàge bù xīnxiān.这个便宜吗？
Is this one cheap?Zhège piányi ma?这个便宜，那个贵。
This one is cheap, that one is expensive.Zhège piányi, nàge guì.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese shopping contexts, it's common to comment on product qualities directly. Vendors may also point out that their items are 新鲜 (xīnxiān) or 便宜 (piányi). When speaking, using 这个 (zhège) while pointing is perfectly acceptable. Politeness is often shown through tone and context rather than complex grammar. In more formal settings, you might add 比较 (bǐjiào, relatively) before the adjective, as in 这个比较便宜 (zhège bǐjiào piányi), to soften the comparison.
One thing to watch for
Adding 是 (shì) before the adjective, as in 这个是便宜 (zhège shì piányi).
Try this instead: In Chinese, adjectives can function as predicates without 是. Simply say 这个便宜 (zhège piányi). Use 是 only when identifying nouns, like 这是苹果 (zhè shì píngguǒ, 'This is an apple').
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'This one is bigger' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
这个更大。
这个 (zhège) means 'this one', and 更大 (gèng dà) means 'bigger'. You can also say 这个大 (zhège dà) in context, but 更 makes the comparison explicit. Both are acceptable.
2What does 这个新鲜 mean?
Show a sample answer
This one is fresh.
这个 (zhège) is 'this one', and 新鲜 (xīnxiān) means 'fresh'. It's used for food items. Alternative phrasing could include 这个很新鲜 (zhège hěn xīnxiān) for emphasis.
3Translate: 'This one is cheap, that one is expensive.'
Show a sample answer
这个便宜，那个贵。
这个便宜 (zhège piányi) means 'this one is cheap', and 那个贵 (nàge guì) means 'that one is expensive'. You could also use 更 (gèng) for 'cheaper' and 'more expensive', but simple adjectives work fine.
To compare items while shopping, use 这个 + adjective. For example, 这个便宜 (this one is cheap), 这个新鲜 (this one is fresh). Add 更 (gèng) for '-er' comparisons. Practice with common adjectives like 大 (big), 小 (small), 贵 (expensive), and 好 (good).
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