zhékòu: 折扣 - Discount, Rebate

• Keywords: zhekou, 折扣, Chinese discount, how to say discount in Chinese, dǎzhé, sale in China, bargain in Chinese, Chinese number system for discounts, rebate in Chinese, shopping in China
• Summary: Learn how to use “折扣 (zhékòu),” the essential Chinese word for “discount.” This guide explains its core meaning, cultural significance in China's shopping and bargaining culture, and provides practical examples. Crucially, we'll demystify the Chinese discount system, where “八折 (bā zhé)” means 20% off (paying 80%), not 80% off—a common mistake for learners. Master this term to shop smarter and understand modern Chinese commerce.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhékòu
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A reduction from the full or normal price of something; a discount.
• In a Nutshell: “折扣” is the word for a discount, but it works in a way that can be counter-intuitive for English speakers. Instead of stating the percentage you *save*, the number associated with 折扣 tells you the percentage of the original price you *pay*. For example, a sign that says “八折 (bā zhé)” means you pay 80% of the price, which is a 20% discount. The smaller the number, the bigger the discount!

• 折 (zhé): This character originally meant to break or to snap. It also carries the meaning of “to fold.” In 折扣, you can think of it as “breaking” or “folding down” the original price.
• 扣 (kòu): This character means to deduct, subtract, or button up. It directly relates to the idea of removing or deducting an amount from the total.
• When combined, 折扣 (zhékòu) literally means to “break and deduct” the price, creating the concept of a discount.

In China, discounts and bargaining are an integral part of the commercial landscape, far more so than in many Western countries. While bargaining is less common in high-end department stores, it's expected in markets, small shops, and even when negotiating services. The most critical cultural and linguistic point to understand is the number system for discounts. It is the reverse of the Western concept. Western System vs. Chinese 折扣 System:

Understanding this concept is not just a language lesson; it's a crucial piece of cultural knowledge for anyone living or traveling in China. Misunderstanding a “七折 (qī zhé)” sign as “70% off” instead of the correct “30% off” can lead to some expensive surprises at the checkout counter. Metaphorically, “打个折扣 (dǎ ge zhékòu)” can also mean to not take something at face value or to reduce its credibility. For instance, if a friend is prone to exaggeration, you might listen to their story but mentally “apply a discount” to how much you believe.

• As a Noun: You can talk about “a discount” itself.
  • `这里有学生折扣吗？` (Zhèlǐ yǒu xuéshēng zhékòu ma?) - Is there a student discount here?
• With the Verb “打 (dǎ)”: The most common way to talk about the action of discounting is the verb-object phrase `打折 (dǎzhé)`.
  • `这家商店在打折。` (Zhè jiā shāngdiàn zài dǎzhé.) - This store is having a sale.
• In Stores and Advertisements: You will see signs like `全场八折` (quánchǎng bā zhé), meaning “Storewide 20% off.”
• Bargaining: When haggling, you use this term to ask for a better price.
  • `老板，能给个折扣吗？` (Lǎobǎn, néng gěi ge zhékòu ma?) - Boss, can you give me a discount?

• Example 1:
  • 听说那家新开的书店有折扣。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō nà jiā xīn kāi de shūdiàn yǒu zhékòu.
  • English: I heard that the new bookstore has a discount.
  • Analysis: Here, 折扣 is used as a simple noun, meaning “a discount” in general.
• Example 2:
  • 这件衣服可以打折扣吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu kěyǐ dǎ zhékòu ma?
  • English: Can you give a discount on this piece of clothing?
  • Analysis: A classic bargaining question. `打折扣` is the verb phrase “to give a discount.”
• Example 3:
  • 春节期间，所有商品一律打八折折扣。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié qījiān, suǒyǒu shāngpǐn yīlǜ dǎ bā zhé zhékòu.
  • English: During the Spring Festival, all merchandise is 20% off.
  • Analysis: This sentence specifies the exact discount: `打八折 (dǎ bā zhé)`, meaning “to give a 20% discount” (literally, to sell at 80% of the price). The final `折扣` is slightly redundant but common in spoken or advertising language.
• Example 4:
  • 如果你买三件，我们可以给你一个九折的折扣。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ mǎi sān jiàn, wǒmen kěyǐ gěi nǐ yí ge jiǔ zhé de zhékòu.
  • English: If you buy three, we can give you a 10% discount.
  • Analysis: This shows how to describe a specific discount. `九折的折扣` literally means “a 90%-of-the-price discount.”
• Example 5:
  • 对他的承诺，你最好打个折扣听。
  • Pinyin: Duì tā de chéngnuò, nǐ zuìhǎo dǎ ge zhékòu tīng.
  • English: You'd better take his promises with a grain of salt.
  • Analysis: This is the important metaphorical usage, meaning you should “discount” the value or truthfulness of what he says.
• Example 6:
  • 这个价格是最后的了，没有任何折扣。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé shì zuìhòu de le, méiyǒu rènhé zhékòu.
  • English: This is the final price, there are no discounts.
  • Analysis: A common phrase used by sellers to end bargaining.
• Example 7:
  • 会员可以享受额外的折扣。
  • Pinyin: Huìyuán kěyǐ xiǎngshòu éwài de zhékòu.
  • English: Members can enjoy an additional discount.
  • Analysis: Shows how 折扣 can be modified by adjectives like `额外的 (éwài de)` meaning “extra” or “additional.”
• Example 8:
  • 哇，这个折扣力度很大啊！打了五折！
  • Pinyin: Wā, zhège zhékòu lìdù hěn dà a! Dǎ le wǔ zhé!
  • English: Wow, this is a huge discount! It's 50% off!
  • Analysis: `折扣力度 (zhékòu lìdù)` means the “strength” or “size” of the discount. `打五折` is a 50% discount.
• Example 9:
  • 这种特价商品不参与满减折扣活动。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng tèjià shāngpǐn bù cānyù mǎnjiǎn zhékòu huódòng.
  • English: This type of special-price item is not eligible for the “spend-more-save-more” discount event.
  • Analysis: `满减 (mǎnjiǎn)` is a common promotion type (e.g., “save ¥20 for every ¥100 spent”). This sentence shows how 折扣 can be part of more complex commercial terms.
• Example 10:
  • 凭这张优惠券，你可以获得一次七折折扣。
  • Pinyin: Píng zhè zhāng yōuhuìquàn, nǐ kěyǐ huòdé yí cì qī zhé zhékòu.
  • English: With this coupon, you can get a 30% discount one time.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the concept of a coupon (`优惠券`) with the specific discount it provides.

• The BIGGEST Mistake: Confusing “8折” with “80% off”
  • This is the single most common and costly mistake for learners.
  • INCORRECT: A student sees a sign for `八折 (bā zhé)` on a ¥1000 coat and thinks, “Wow, 80% off! It's only ¥200!”
  • CORRECT: `八折 (bā zhé)` means you pay 80% of the price. The coat would cost ¥800 (a 20% discount).
  • Rule of Thumb: To find the English discount percentage, subtract the Chinese number from 10. For `八折 (bā zhé)`, that's 10 - 8 = 2, so it's a 20% discount. For `六折 (liù zhé)`, it's 10 - 6 = 4, so a 40% discount.
• 折扣 (zhékòu) vs. 打折 (dǎzhé)
  • While related, they are not always interchangeable.
  • `折扣` is primarily a noun: “a discount.” Example: `这里有折扣吗？` (Is there a discount here?)
  • `打折` is a verb-object phrase: “to give a discount” or “to be on sale.” Example: `这里在打折。` (They are having a sale here.)
  • You can't say `这里在折扣`. You must use `打折` for the action.

• 打折 (dǎzhé) - The most common verb form, meaning “to give a discount” or “to be on sale.”
• 优惠 (yōuhuì) - A broader, more formal term for a “special offer” or “favorable price.” Less specific than 折扣.
• 优惠券 (yōuhuìquàn) - A coupon; a voucher that gives you a specific 折扣 or 优惠.
• 减价 (jiǎnjià) - To reduce the price; another way to say something is on sale, often implying a permanent price drop.
• 特价 (tèjià) - A special price; often used for a single item on a temporary promotion.
• 促销 (cùxiāo) - Sales promotion; a general term for any activity intended to boost sales, including discounts.
• 讨价还价 (tǎojiàhuánjià) - To bargain or haggle; the process of negotiating a lower price or a better 折扣.
• 会员价 (huìyuánjià) - Member price; a special discount available only to members.