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Scene illustrating a Simplified Chinese-language dispute with taxi driver conversation

Key Phrases

我们只收现金

wǒ men zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn

We only accept cash

我没有带足够的

wǒ méi yǒu dài zú gòu de

I don't have enough

您能不能告诉我最近的ATM

nín néng bù néng gào sù wǒ zuì jìn de ATM

Could you tell me the nearest ATM

Skills You'll Learn

Inquiring about payment methods

询问付款方式

xún wèn fù kuǎn fāng shì

Explaining insufficient cash

解释现金不足

jiě shì xiàn jīn bù zú

Asking for directions to an ATM

询问ATM的方向

xún wèn ATM de fāng xiàng

Lesson Roleplay

Imagine you're in a situation where you're trying to pay for a service in China, but the vendor only accepts cash. You don't have enough cash with you, so you negotiate a small additional fee to detour to an ATM to withdraw money. The conversation highlights a typical scenario that involves negotiating and understanding local payment customs.

您好,我可以用信用卡支付吗?

nín hǎo wǒ kě yǐ yòng xìn yòng kǎ zhī fù ma

Hello, can I pay with a credit card?

不行,我们只收现金。

bù xíng wǒ men zhǐ shōu xiàn jīn

No, we only accept cash.

但是我没有带足够的现金。

dàn shì wǒ méi yǒu dài zú gòu de xiàn jīn

But I don't have enough cash with me.

这是规定,我不能改变。

zhè shì guī dìng wǒ bù néng gǎi biàn

That is the rule, I can't change it.

您能不能去最近的ATM让我取钱?

nín néng bù néng qù zuì jìn de ATM ràng wǒ qǔ qián

Could you go to the nearest ATM so I can withdraw money?

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

🫵👤

nín

You (formal)

💬 A polite way to address someone; use with people older than you or in formal settings.

🇨🇳 Politeness and formality are important in Chinese culture, especially with strangers or elders.

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👍

hǎo

Good

💬 A versatile word used in many greetings and positive responses.

🇨🇳 Including [好] (hao) in your sentences often helps in smoother interactions.

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👋

您好

nín hǎo

Hello

💬 [您] (neen) is the formal and polite form of 'you', used together with [好] (hao) for polite greetings.

🇨🇳 A common and polite way to greet someone in a formal context.

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🙋

I/Me

💬 This pronoun is used to refer to oneself.

🇨🇳 Chinese pronouns do not change for different cases like 'I' or 'me'.

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👌

可以

kě yǐ

Can

💬 Often used to express permission or ability.

🇨🇳 In Chinese interactions, seeking permission with [可以] is seen as a respectful gesture.

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❓🤔

我可以

wǒ kě yǐ

May I

💬 Starting a request with [我可以] frames it as a polite inquiry.

🇨🇳 Courtesy is valued in Chinese requests; leading with [我可以] sets a respectful tone.

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🛠️

yòng

Use

💬 A verb that requires a tool or method afterward for full context.

🇨🇳 This word is useful in everyday transactions and activities.

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💸

支付

zhī fù

Pay

💬 A term used in the context of completing a transaction.

🇨🇳 [支付] is commonly used in both cash and digital payments.

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💳

用...支付

yòng zhī fù

Pay with

💬 Insert the payment method (e.g., [现金] for cash, [信用卡] for credit card) in the ellipsis.

🇨🇳 Understanding different payment options is useful in modern Chinese cities.

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🚀

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