jiàngjià: 降价 - To Lower a Price, Price Reduction, Discount

Keywords: jiàngjià, 降价, reduce price in Chinese, lower price, discount Chinese, Chinese for sale, on sale in Chinese, price cut, bargaining in Chinese, 打折 vs 降价, Chinese shopping vocabulary

Summary: Discover the essential Chinese term 降价 (jiàngjià), which literally means “to lower the price.” This is a fundamental word for anyone shopping, bargaining, or doing business in China. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in contexts like market haggling and massive e-commerce sales, and how it differs from similar terms like `打折 (dǎzhé)`. Learn how to use `降价` effectively to get a better deal and understand modern Chinese consumer culture.

Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàngjià

Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (can be used as a verb or a noun)

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To reduce the price of a product or service.

In a Nutshell: 降价 (jiàngjià) is the direct and literal term for a price drop. Think of it as the price physically “descending.” It's used by sellers to announce a sale and by buyers to ask for a better price. Unlike a percentage-based discount, `降价` refers to the absolute value of the price going down, for example, from 100 yuan to 80 yuan. It’s a straightforward, essential word for any transaction.

降 (jiàng): This character means “to descend,” “to fall,” or “to lower.” You can picture something coming down from a higher position. It's the same character used in `降落 (jiàngluò)` for an airplane landing.

价 (jià): This character means “price” or “value.” It's made up of the “person” radical `人 (rén)` on the left, suggesting that price is a value determined by people.

Together, 降 (lower) + 价 (price) = 降价 (to lower the price). The meaning is transparent and logical.

The Art of Bargaining: In many traditional Chinese markets, street stalls, and even some smaller shops, prices are not always fixed. The expectation to bargain, or `讨价还价 (tǎojià huánjià)`, is common. Asking for a 降价 is a standard part of this social and economic interaction. It's often less about being cheap and more about participating in the expected ritual of the transaction.

E-commerce Mania: In modern China, 降价 is the engine of massive online shopping festivals like “Singles' Day” (双十一 - Shuāng Shíyī on November 11th) and “618” (on June 18th). During these periods, brands and platforms compete by announcing huge 降价 promotions, and the term is plastered across every app and website. It signifies a major, often time-limited, sales event.

Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, we typically use terms like “sale,” “discount,” or “markdown.” While 降价 can mean all of these, it's more literal. The closest Western concept is a “price drop” or “price cut.” The key difference is its active use in bargaining. An American shopper is less likely to walk into a store and ask the manager to “lower the price” on an item, whereas in the right context in China, this is perfectly normal.

Formality: 降价 is a neutral term. It is equally appropriate in a formal business report analyzing market trends and in a casual conversation haggling over a souvenir.

`打折 (dǎzhé)` - To give a percentage-based discount. The most important term to contrast with `降价`.

`促销 (cùxiāo)` - Sales promotion. A very broad term for any activity meant to boost sales, including `降价`, coupons, or buy-one-get-one-free.

`优惠 (yōuhuì)` - A discount, a favorable or preferential price. Often found on `优惠券 (yōuhuìquàn)` - coupons.

`涨价 (zhǎngjià)` - The direct antonym of `降价`; to raise or increase the price.

`讨价还价 (tǎojià huánjià)` - A four-character idiom meaning “to haggle” or “to bargain.” This is the action one takes to request a `降价`.

`便宜 (piányi)` - An adjective meaning “cheap” or “inexpensive.” This is the desired outcome of a successful `降价`.

`特价 (tèjià)` - A special price; on sale. An item listed at a `特价` has already undergone a `降价`.

`价格 (jiàgé)` - The formal word for “price.” It is the `价` in `降价`.