In this workshop you will practice asking whether a student or senior discount is available, and you will learn to understand the answers you might hear. You will work with short, realistic exchanges set in a shop or ticket counter. Each native line is provided as a recording reference, and you will first read its English meaning before you practice saying it. By the end, you should be able to ask the question yourself, recognize a yes answer, and remember who says what in the exchange.
Asking Whether a Discount Exists
The simplest way to ask about a discount is a short yes-or-no question. «有学生折扣吗？» means "Is there a student discount?" and «有老年人优惠吗？» means "Is there a senior discount?" These two questions are close in shape, so the main thing to notice is the word that changes: one asks about students, the other about seniors. A slightly longer way to ask is «学生可以打折吗？», which means "Can students get a discount?" and «老年人可以优惠吗？», which means "Can seniors get a discount?" Both forms are useful when you are standing at a counter and want a quick answer. Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed, keeping your tone light and polite.
Understanding the Reply
When you ask, the person at the counter may answer with a yes and then explain what you need. In one exchange, the customer asks «你好，有学生折扣吗？», which means "Hello, is there a student discount?" The staff member replies «有的，你需要出示学生证。», which means "Yes, you need to show your student ID." So the answer is yes, but there is a condition: you must show your student ID. In another exchange, the customer asks «老年人有优惠吗？», which means "Is there a senior discount?" The staff member replies «是的，65岁以上可以享受优惠。», which means "Yes, those 65 and older can enjoy the discount." Here the answer is also yes, and the condition is about age. Listen for the yes at the start, then listen for the extra detail that tells you what is required.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
有学生折扣吗？
Is there a student discount?
Yǒu xuésheng zhékòu ma?
有老年人优惠吗？
Is there a senior discount?
Yǒu lǎoniánrén yōuhuì ma?
学生可以打折吗？
Can students get a discount?
Xuésheng kěyǐ dǎzhé ma?
老年人可以优惠吗？
Can seniors get a discount?
Lǎoniánrén kěyǐ yōuhuì ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你好，有学生折扣吗？
Hello, is there a student discount?有的，你需要出示学生证。
Yes, you need to show your student ID.老年人有优惠吗？
Is there a senior discount?是的，65岁以上可以享受优惠。
Yes, people aged 65 and older can receive the discount.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You are at a ticket counter. One learner plays the customer and the other plays the staff member. Use the recordings to guide your lines.
Your task: Customer: say the line from «你好，有学生折扣吗？». Staff member: reply with the line from «有的，你需要出示学生证。». Then swap roles and repeat. After that, Customer: say the line from «老年人有优惠吗？». Staff member: reply with the line from «是的，65岁以上可以享受优惠。». Swap roles and repeat.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Answer
Read each situation and choose the reply that fits. The recordings give you the exact lines to compare.
Your task: Situation 1: A customer asks «你好，有学生折扣吗？». Which reply fits: «有的，你需要出示学生证。» or «是的，65岁以上可以享受优惠。»? Situation 2: A customer asks «老年人有优惠吗？». Which reply fits: «有的，你需要出示学生证。» or «是的，65岁以上可以享受优惠。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line.
Recall the Exchange with Correct Roles
Cover the recording references and try to remember the two short exchanges. Then check yourself.
Your task: First, say the customer question about a student discount, then the staff reply. Next, say the customer question about a senior discount, then the staff reply. If you are working with a partner, swap roles after one full round, but keep the same order: question first, reply second.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every line before I speak?
No. Start by reading the English meaning, then say the line from the recording slowly. Repeat it a few times, and only then try to recall it without looking. Short, repeated practice is more useful than trying to memorize everything at once.
What should I listen for in the staff reply?
Listen for the yes at the beginning, then listen for the extra detail. In one reply the detail is about showing a student ID, and in the other it is about being 65 or older. That detail tells you what is needed to get the discount.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask about discountsChecked September 2026
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