How to Say ‘I bought it online.’ in Simplified Chinese
在网上买的。
zài wǎng shàng mǎi de
[zài wǎng shang mǎi de]
🇨🇳 In China: Most people in China really do shop online, through Taobao and similar apps, so expect this answer often.
Phrase Breakdown
在网上
zài wǎng shàng
online
网 (wǎng) means 'net / internet', and 上 (shang) means 'on'. 在网上 = 'on the internet'.
我在网上看电影。
I watch movies online.
Words in this phrase
在
zài
[zài]
at; in
Indicates location or place.
他在学校学习。
He studies at school.
网
wǎng
[wǎng]
net; the internet
Means net or web; with 上 it refers to online.
我喜欢在网上看电影。
I like watching movies online.
上
shàng
[shang]
in; on (location)
After a noun, marks location: in or on it.
手机在桌上。
The phone is on the table.
买的。
mǎi de
bought (it)
Answers the question with the same 的 ending, stressing where the buying happened.
在超市买的。
I bought it at the supermarket.
Words in this phrase
买
mǎi
[mǎi]
to buy
To get something by paying money.
我想买水。
I want to buy water.
的
de
[de]
(emphasis on past details)
Used in the 是…的 pattern to highlight when, where, or how a past action happened.
他是坐飞机来的。
He came by plane.
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