At the Supermarket

 

1. Shopping Tips

1.1 Payment Methods & Preparation

  • 1. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the most common and convenient payment methods in China.
  • 2. Please bind your international credit card in advance before using.
  • 3. You can also activate small payment functions in advance.
  • 4. Please carry a small amount of RMB cash with you.
  • 5. Cash can be used in small shops or for special emergencies.
  • 6. UnionPay, Visa, MasterCard and other bank cards are usually accepted in large supermarkets.
  • 7. Please confirm that overseas transactions are activated before using bank cards.

 

1.2 Avoid Allergenic Foods

  • 1. When buying food, please pay attention to the Chinese labels on the packaging.
  • 2. Please carefully check the ingredient list of the food.
  • 3. Please focus on checking allergen information.
  • 4. Avoid buying food containing ingredients you are allergic to.

 

1.3 Purchase Restriction Rules

  • 1. There may be purchase restrictions on cigarettes and alcohol in China.
  • 2. Before buying, it is recommended to consult the store staff in advance.

 

1.4 Key Information Translation Preparation

  • 1. When communication is difficult, you can use translation software.
  • 2. You can translate key information into Chinese and save it in your phone memo.
  • 3. Show the corresponding Chinese information to the staff during communication.

 

1.5 Shopping Bag Instructions

  • 1. China implements environmental protection policies to reduce plastic bag use.
  • 2. Some supermarkets charge fees for plastic shopping bags.
  • 3. It is recommended to prepare your own shopping bags or carry-on bags.

 

1.6 Fresh Food Weighing & Price Instructions

  • 1. Customers can choose fresh food by themselves in Chinese supermarkets.
  • 2. China commonly uses 1 jin (500g) as the unit. The price on the label is usually for 1 jin (500g).

 

2. Simple Dialogues

2.1 Ask for Product Location
You can show the product picture or translated Chinese name to the staff.
Hello.
Where is this?
If available, staff will tell you the location; if not, they will wave their hand.
Thank you!
2.2 Ask About Allergens
If you are allergic to certain ingredients, you can ask the staff.
Hello.
Does this contain peanuts?
If it contains no allergens, the staff will wave their hand.
Thank you!
2.3 Checkout
Some vegetables and fruits need weighing at checkout. Weighing and payment are done at the cashier.
Hello.
Checkout.
Payment completed.
Thank you!