How to Say ‘This was bought at a secondhand shop.’ in Traditional Chinese
這是在二手店買的。
zhè shì zài èr shǒu diàn mǎi de
[juh shir dzai èrshǒudiàn my de]
💬 Usage Tip: The frame 是...的 puts the spotlight on how, where, or when something already happened. For example, 這是在夜市買的 means "I got this at the night market" 夜市 "night market".
Phrase Breakdown
這是
zhè shì
this is
這 (zhè) means 'this'. 是 (shì) means 'is'. Both have falling tones.
這是我的書。
This is my book.
Words in this phrase
這
zhè
[juh]
this
A demonstrative word meaning this; it points at the person in an insulting way.
他氣得大喊：「你這個王八蛋！」
He angrily shouted, 'You bastard!'
是
shì
[shir]
to be; is; are
The basic verb meaning 'to be' in statements of identity or description.
這些都是你愛吃的菜。
These are all dishes you like to eat.
在二手店買的。
zài èr shǒu diàn mǎi de
bought at a second-hand store
在 (zài) means 'at'. 二手店 (èrshǒu diàn) means 'second-hand store'. The pattern 是…的 stresses where something happened.
這本書是在二手店買的。
This book was bought at a second-hand store.
Words in this phrase
在
zài
[dzai]
at; in; located at
Indicates location or presence somewhere.
洗手間在二樓。
The restroom is on the second floor.
二手店
èr shǒu diàn
[èrshǒudiàn]
secondhand shop; thrift store
A store that sells used goods like clothes.
我常去二手店買衣服。
I often go to thrift stores to buy clothes.
買
mǎi
[my]
buy
Used when purchasing something.
我要買這個，麻煩你幫我拿。
I want to buy this one; please help me get it for me.
的
de
[de]
(emphasis particle in 是…的)
Used with 是 to highlight how, where, or when something happened.
我是昨天來的。
It was yesterday that I came.
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