Chinese for Print Shops: Requesting a Scan of an Old Photo
Learn Mandarin phrases to ask a print shop to scan an old photo, specify high resolution, and have the file sent to your email, with polite register and practical dialogue.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you bring a fragile old photo to a neighborhood print and repair shop in China, you need precise Mandarin to explain what you want without confusion. This lesson teaches the core vocabulary 扫描 (sǎo miáo, to scan), 老照片 (lǎo zhào piàn, old photo), and 高清 (gāo qīng, high resolution), plus two essential sentence patterns: 能扫成电子版吗 (Néng sǎo chéng diàn zǐ bǎn ma? Can you scan it into a digital file?) and 发我邮箱 (fā wǒ yóu xiāng, send it to my email). You will practice asking staff directly, confirming file format, and giving your email address clearly. The focus is on polite, natural requests that work in small independent shops, not on policies or prices, which vary by store.
By the end, you can…
- ask a print shop to scan an old photo into a digital file.
- specify that I want a high-resolution scan.
- ask the staff to send the scanned file to my email address.
- confirm the file format and give my email clearly.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
能扫成电子版吗？
Can you scan it into a digital file?
Néng sǎo chéng diàn zǐ bǎn ma?
Use this polite yes/no question when you first hand over the photo. 电子版 means a digital copy, not a physical print.
我想扫描这张老照片。
I'd like to scan this old photo.
Wǒ xiǎng sǎo miáo zhè zhāng lǎo zhào piàn.
A clear statement of intent. 张 is the measure word for flat objects like photos.
要高清的，可以吗？
I need it in high resolution, is that possible?
Yào gāo qīng de, kě yǐ ma?
高清 (gāo qīng) means high definition or high resolution. Adding 可以吗 softens the request.
能发我邮箱吗？
Can you send it to my email?
Néng fā wǒ yóu xiāng ma?
A direct but polite request. 发 means to send; 邮箱 is email inbox.
我的邮箱是……
My email is...
Wǒ de yóu xiāng shì...
Use this to give your address. Spell it slowly if needed, saying 艾特 (ài tè) for @ and 点 (diǎn) for dot.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 能……吗 (Néng... ma?) means 'Can you...?' and is the safest way to make a request in a shop. For example, 能扫成电子版吗？ (Can you scan it into a digital file?) and 能发我邮箱吗？ (Can you send it to my email?). You can also use 可以……吗 (Kě yǐ... ma?) with almost the same meaning: 可以扫描吗？ (Can you scan it?). Both are polite. To specify a quality, add 要……的: 要高清的 (I want a high-resolution one). Avoid bare imperatives like 扫描这个 (Scan this), which can sound abrupt.
When to use it
Use 能扫成电子版吗？ when you are not sure whether the shop offers scanning, or when you want to confirm before handing over the photo. If the shop clearly has a scanner, you can state your need directly: 我想扫描这张老照片。 Then add 要高清的，可以吗？ to specify resolution. After the scan is done, ask 能发我邮箱吗？ and give your address with 我的邮箱是……. If you prefer a USB drive, say 能存到U盘吗？ (Can you save it to a USB drive?). Always wait for the staff to confirm before assuming the file will be sent.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
您好，我想扫描这张老照片。
Hello, I'd like to scan this old photo.Nín hǎo, wǒ xiǎng sǎo miáo zhè zhāng lǎo zhào piàn.可以，您要什么格式的？
Sure, what format do you want?Kě yǐ, nín yào shén me gé shì de?要高清的，能扫成电子版吗？
I need it in high resolution. Can you scan it into a digital file?Yào gāo qīng de, néng sǎo chéng diàn zǐ bǎn ma?没问题。扫好了发您邮箱？
No problem. Shall I send it to your email when it's done?Méi wèn tí. Sǎo hǎo le fā nín yóu xiāng?A little context goes a long way
In small Chinese print shops, staff often ask for your email or a USB drive to deliver scanned files. Giving your email is common, but some shops may prefer you to bring a USB drive. Address staff as 您 (nín) for politeness, especially with older shopkeepers. It is normal to ask about file format and resolution before the scan, but prices and turnaround times vary by shop, so ask on site rather than assuming.
One thing to watch for
Using 扫描仪 (sǎo miáo yí, scanner) as a verb, as in 扫描仪这张照片.
Try this instead: 扫描仪 is a noun meaning 'scanner'. To say 'scan this photo', use 扫描这张照片 (sǎo miáo zhè zhāng zhào piàn) or 把这张照片扫描一下 (bǎ zhè zhāng zhào piàn sǎo miáo yī xià). The verb is simply 扫描.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a print shop to scan an old photo into a digital file?
Show a sample answer
能扫成电子版吗？
This uses 能……吗 to make a polite request and 电子版 for a digital copy. You could also say 可以扫成电子版吗？ which is equally acceptable.
2You want a high-resolution scan. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
要高清的，可以吗？
高清 means high resolution, and 要……的 specifies the quality you want. Adding 可以吗 makes it a polite request. 要高分辨率的 is also correct but less common in everyday speech.
3How do you ask the staff to send the file to your email?
Show a sample answer
能发我邮箱吗？
This directly asks 'Can you send it to my email?' You can also say 可以发到我邮箱吗？ which is slightly more formal. Both are polite and clear.
Use 能……吗 to make polite requests, 扫描 for the action, 电子版 for a digital file, 高清 for high resolution, and 发我邮箱 to ask for email delivery. Confirm format and resolution before the scan, and give your email clearly.
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