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March 24, 2026
买(買)mǎi(mai3)
The character 买 (mǎi) means 'to buy' or 'to purchase.' It is commonly used in everyday transactions and shopping contexts. In addition to its primary meaning, it can also imply the act of persuading or bribing in certain contexts, but this usage is less common.
Strokes6Radical大Frequency#246DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, haggling is common in markets where 买 is frequently used. The ability to negotiate is seen as a skill, making the act of buying not just a transaction but also a social interaction.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person holding a large 'M' shaped bag filled with money, excitedly 'buying' items at a market. The shape of the bag (M) reminds you of the sound 'mǎi' and its meaning of purchasing.
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AI Study Notes for 买
Quick Contrast
卖 (mài) - use 买 (mǎi) when referring to the action of purchasing, while 卖 (mài) refers to the act of selling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person holding a large 'M' shaped bag filled with money, excitedly 'buying' items at a market. The shape of the bag (M) reminds you of the sound 'mǎi' and its meaning of purchasing.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 买 with other verbs like 卖 (mài), which means 'to sell.' Remember that 买 is used when you are obtaining something. It is generally informal, so it fits well in conversational contexts such as shopping dialogues.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 买 helps students understand basic transactional vocabulary. Focus on using it in simple sentences related to shopping and incorporate it with other basic verbs like 卖 (to sell) for contrast.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, haggling is common in markets where 买 is frequently used. The ability to negotiate is seen as a skill, making the act of buying not just a transaction but also a social interaction.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 买 (mǎi) with 卖 (mài), leading to sentences like '我想卖这个' (Wǒ xiǎng mài zhège) which incorrectly means 'I want to sell this.' The correct form should be '我想买这个' (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 买
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Grammar Patterns of 买
买 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
We splurged on Bohemian glass for gifts, and for ourselves.
8
这和我上次买的相比贵得吓人。
zhè hé wǒ shàng cì mǎi de xiāng bǐ guì dé xià rén。
This is fearfully expensive compared with the last one I bought.
9
所以这可能是买房子的绝佳时机。
suǒ yǐ zhè kě néng shì mǎi fáng zǐ de jué jiā shí jī。
So this could be the perfect time to buy a home.
10
那么你是怎么买到这一绝品的？
nà mó nǐ shì zěn mó mǎi dào zhè yī jué pǐn de？
How did you go about making this marvellous acquisition then?
Cultural Notes for 买
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, haggling is common in markets where 买 is frequently used. The ability to negotiate is seen as a skill, making the act of buying not just a transaction but also a social interaction.
Word Family of 买
Compounds2
卖mai4to sell
荬mai3endive; sow-thistle
Words Containing This Character20
买mǎito buy買
购买gòumǎito buy購買
买卖mǎimaibusiness買賣
买入to buy (finance)買入
买家buyer買家
收买shōumǎito purchase收買
买不起mǎibuqǐcannot afford買不起
买进to purchase買進
买回to buy back買回
买单to pay the restaurant bill買單
买票to buy tickets買票
买主customer買主
牙买加Jamaica牙買加
孟买Mumbai (formerly Bombay)孟買
购买力purchasing power購買力
买方buyer (in contracts)買方
买好to ingratiate oneself買好
购买者purchaser購買者
买通to bribe買通
买账to buy it買賬
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 卖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 买
You can say '我想买这个' (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège) which means 'I want to buy this.'
While 买 is generally informal, it can be used in formal settings, but it's better to use 购买 (gòumǎi) for more formal transactions.
Yes, besides 'to buy,' it can mean 'to bribe' or 'to persuade,' but these meanings are less common.
