In this workshop you will practice asking for a bag in Chinese, choosing between plastic and paper, and asking how much it costs. You will use short, polite requests and simple questions. The practice moves from a guided exchange to listening for the right reply, then to recalling the whole conversation with the correct roles. Each native example is provided as a recording reference so you can hear the exact line before you say it.
Making a simple request
Start with a short request for a bag. «可以给我一个袋子吗？» means “Can I have a bag?” It is a general, polite way to ask. If you want to be specific, «我要一个塑料袋。» means “I want a plastic bag,” and «请给我一个纸袋。» means “Please give me a paper bag.” Notice that the item changes, but the basic request stays short. You can also ask whether a box is available with «有盒子吗？», which means “Do you have a box?” Practice each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep your tone even and friendly. When you speak, say the whole line without stopping in the middle.
A shop exchange: asking and answering
Now put the requests into a short shop conversation. A customer begins with «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？», which means “Hello, can I have a bag?” The staff member replies with «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？», meaning “Sure, do you want a plastic bag or a paper bag?” The customer then says «我要塑料袋。多少钱？», which means “I want a plastic bag. How much?” Finally, the staff member answers with «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。», meaning “Plastic bag is 50 cents, paper bag is free.” In this exchange, the customer asks first, the staff member answers, the customer asks a follow-up about price, and the staff member gives the price. Keep that order when you practice. If you swap roles, the order of the lines stays the same; only who speaks each line changes.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
可以给我一个袋子吗？
Can I have a bag?
Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi ma?
我要一个塑料袋。
I want a plastic bag.
Wǒ yào yí ge sùliàodài.
请给我一个纸袋。
Please give me a paper bag.
Qǐng gěi wǒ yí ge zhǐdài.
有盒子吗？
Do you have a box?
Yǒu hézi ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？
Hello, can I have a bag?好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？
Sure, do you want a plastic bag or a paper bag?我要塑料袋。多少钱？
I want a plastic bag. How much?塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。
Plastic bag is 50 cents, paper bag is free.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided shop exchange
You are the customer in a small shop. The staff member is ready to help. Use the recording references to say your lines in order.
Your task: Read the customer’s lines aloud in this order: «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？», then «我要塑料袋。多少钱？». After each line, pause and let your partner read the staff reply: «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？» after «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？», and «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。» after «我要塑料袋。多少钱？». Then swap roles and repeat, keeping the same order.
Choose the right reply
You will hear a line and choose the reply that fits. The lines come from the shop exchange.
Your task: First, read «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？» aloud. Which reply fits: «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？» or «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。»? Then read «我要塑料袋。多少钱？» aloud. Which reply fits: «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？» or «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line.
Recall the conversation with correct roles
Work with a partner. One person is the customer and one is the staff member. Cover the lines and recall them from memory.
Your task: The customer begins with «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？». The staff member replies with «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？». The customer continues with «我要塑料袋。多少钱？». The staff member finishes with «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。». Say each line aloud in that order. Then swap roles and repeat the same order.
Common questions
Can I practice alone if I do not have a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles by reading each line aloud and pausing between them. For example, say «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？» as the customer, pause, then say «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？» as the staff member. There is no automatic assessment, so use the success criteria to check yourself.
What should I focus on when I say the lines?
Focus on saying the whole line clearly and keeping the order of the exchange. In the shop scene, the customer asks first with «你好，可以给我一个袋子吗？», the staff member answers with «好的，你要塑料袋还是纸袋？», the customer asks about price with «我要塑料袋。多少钱？», and the staff member gives the price with «塑料袋五毛，纸袋免费。». Keep that order even when you swap roles.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: request a bagChecked September 2026
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