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How to Say ‘Where can I buy it?’ in Simplified Chinese

在哪儿能买到?

zài nǎ ér néng mǎi dào

[zài nǎr nung mǎidào]

💬 Usage Tip: The place question 在哪儿 goes before the verb, not at the end like English. For example, 在哪儿吃饭? "where to eat?"

Phrase Breakdown

在哪儿

zài nǎ ér

where

在哪儿 (zài nǎr) means 'at where' and is the Beijing way to say 'where'. Note the 'r' ending.

Example

你在哪儿?

Where are you?

Words in this phrase

在

zài

[zài]

at; in

Indicates location or place.

Example

他在学校学习。

He studies at school.

哪儿

nǎ ér

[nǎr]

where

Question word asking about place.

Example

你去哪儿?

Where are you going?

能买到?

néng mǎi dào

can (I) buy it?

能 (néng) means 'can'. 买到 (mǎi dào) means to buy successfully, 'get hold of'.

Example

这里能买到水吗?

Can I buy water here?

Words in this phrase

能

néng

[nung]

can; be able to

Expresses ability or possibility to do something.

Example

能帮到你,我也很开心。

If I can help you, I’m also very happy.

买到

mǎi dào

[mǎidào]

to manage to buy

To buy successfully; 到 shows the result.

Example

我买到了火车票。

I got the train ticket.

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