Paying and getting a receipt in shops
Pay by cash, card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, scan QR code, ask for a receipt, invoice, bag, and confirm tax or service fees. The checkout of a big Guangzhou mall. It's a gift, so you want it wrapped, with a proper receipt.
Key phrases
The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.
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我想买这个。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège.
I would like to buy this.
- 我Wǒ
- 想xiǎng
- 买mǎi
- 这个zhège
-
收银台在哪里？
Shōuyíntái zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the cashier?
- 收银台Shōuyíntái
- 在zài
- 哪里nǎlǐ
-
可以用支付宝付款吗？
Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay with Alipay?
- 可以Kěyǐ
- 用yòng
- 支付宝Zhīfùbǎo
- 付款fùkuǎn
- 吗ma
-
可以给我一张收据吗？
Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yì zhāng shōujù ma?
Could I have a receipt?
- 可以Kěyǐ
- 给gěi
- 我wǒ
- 一yì
- 张zhāng
- 收据shōujù
- 吗ma
-
可以开发票吗？
Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?
Can you issue an invoice?
- 可以Kěyǐ
- 开kāi
- 发票fāpiào
- 吗ma
-
可以做礼品包装吗？
Kěyǐ zuò lǐpǐn bāozhuāng ma?
Can you do gift wrapping?
- 可以Kěyǐ
- 做zuò
- 礼品lǐpǐn
- 包装bāozhuāng
- 吗ma
More phrases for this situation
Every other phrase from the lesson: 17 in all.
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可以在这里付款吗？
Kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay here?
-
可以用现金付款吗？
Kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay in cash?
-
可以用银行卡付款吗？
Kěyǐ yòng yínhángkǎ fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay by bank card?
-
可以刷卡吗？
Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?
Can I pay by card?
-
可以用微信支付吗？
Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn Zhīfù ma?
Can I pay with WeChat Pay?
-
我可以扫码付款吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ sǎomǎ fùkuǎn ma?
Can I scan the code to pay?
-
付款码在哪里？
Fùkuǎn mǎ zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the payment QR code?
-
请帮我确认一下金额。
Qǐng bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià jīn'é.
Please help me confirm the amount.
-
这个价格包含税吗？
Zhège jiàgé bāohán shuì ma?
Does this price include tax?
-
请给我小票。
Qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào.
Please give me the printed receipt.
-
发票可以发到我的邮箱吗？
Fāpiào kěyǐ fā dào wǒ de yóuxiāng ma?
Can the invoice be sent to my email?
-
需要购物袋。
Xūyào gòuwùdài.
I need a shopping bag.
-
可以给我一个袋子吗？
Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi ma?
Could you give me a bag?
-
可以帮我包装一下吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ bāozhuāng yíxià ma?
Could you package this for me?
-
可以刷我的护照做退税吗？
Kěyǐ shuā wǒ de hùzhào zuò tuìshuì ma?
Can you scan my passport for tax refund?
-
请帮我写下来。
Qǐng bāng wǒ xiě xiàlái.
Please write it down for me.
-
谢谢您的帮助。
Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.
Thank you for your help.
What you’ll hear, and how to answer
Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.
-
Staff
一共三百九十九，怎么付？Yígòng sānbǎi jiǔshíjiǔ, zěnme fù?
That's 399 in total. How would you like to pay?
You
可以用支付宝付款吗？Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay with Alipay?
-
Staff
可以，扫这里。还要别的吗？Kěyǐ, sǎo zhèlǐ. Hái yào bié de ma?
Sure, scan here. Anything else?
You
可以开发票吗？Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?
Can you issue an invoice?
Play the scene
The checkout of a big Guangzhou mall. It's a gift, so you want it wrapped, with a proper receipt.
-
Staff
好的，请到收银台付款。
Hǎo de, qǐng dào shōuyíntái fùkuǎn.
OK, please pay at the checkout.
-
You
收银台在哪里？
Shōuyíntái zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the cashier?
What do you say?
-
Staff
一共三百九十九，怎么付？
Yígòng sānbǎi jiǔshíjiǔ, zěnme fù?
That's 399 in total. How would you like to pay?
-
You
可以用支付宝付款吗？
Kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay with Alipay?
What do you say?
-
Staff
可以，扫这里。还要别的吗？
Kěyǐ, sǎo zhèlǐ. Hái yào bié de ma?
Sure, scan here. Anything else?
-
You
可以开发票吗？
Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?
Can you issue an invoice?
What do you say?
-
Staff
发票扫这个码自己开。
Fāpiào sǎo zhège mǎ zìjǐ kāi.
For an invoice, scan this code and fill it in yourself.
-
You
可以做礼品包装吗？
Kěyǐ zuò lǐpǐn bāozhuāng ma?
Can you do gift wrapping?
What do you say?
Scene complete. 很好！ (Hěn hǎo — very good!)
Culture tip
Receipt vs printed receipt
收据 is a general receipt. 小票 usually means the printed cashier receipt. Keep it for returns or exchanges.
What do you say to ask for the printed receipt?
Show the answer
请给我小票。 — Please give me the printed receipt.
Go deeper
Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.
Key Terms
收银台 The cashier or checkout counter. In some stores, payment is made at a central cashier rather than with the sales assistant.
付款 To pay. You can ask whether you can pay here or whether a certain payment method is accepted.
刷卡 To pay by card. Literally it means to swipe a card, but it can also refer generally to card payment.
付款码 A payment QR code. It can be the store's QR code that you scan, or your own payment code that the cashier scans.
小票 A printed receipt from the cashier. Keep it if you may need return, exchange, warranty, or tax refund.
发票 An official invoice. It may be needed for business reimbursement, company records, or tax-related purposes.
Checkout Flow
Step 1: Say you want to buy it
Use 我想买这个 when you have decided to buy the item.
Step 2: Find where to pay
Ask 可以在这里付款吗？ or 收银台在哪里？ depending on the store layout.
Step 3: Confirm payment method
Ask whether cash, bank card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, or QR-code payment is accepted.
Step 4: Ask for documents and packaging
After payment, ask for a receipt, printed receipt, invoice, shopping bag, or gift wrapping if needed.
Useful Payment Patterns
可以用……付款吗？ Use this to ask whether a payment method is accepted.
可以……吗？ Use this for short yes/no questions about payment, packaging, or service.
请给我…… Use this to ask for a receipt, printed receipt, bag, or other item.
可以帮我……吗？ Use this to ask staff to help with confirming, packaging, or writing something down.
Payment Method Tips
Cash
Some small shops accept cash, but many places in China prefer mobile payment. Always confirm before buying.
Bank card / card payment
Use 可以刷卡吗？ for a natural card-payment question. International cards may not work everywhere.
Alipay and WeChat Pay
These are common mobile payment methods in China. Ask which one the store accepts if you are unsure.
QR-code payment
Sometimes you scan the store's QR code; sometimes the cashier scans your payment code. Ask 付款码在哪里？ if you need the store code.
Receipt, Invoice, and Tax Tips
Receipt vs printed receipt
收据 is a general receipt. 小票 usually means the printed cashier receipt. Keep it for returns or exchanges.
Invoice
Ask 可以开发票吗？ if you need an official invoice. Some stores may issue electronic invoices by email.
Tax included
Ask 这个价格包含税吗？ if you are unsure whether tax is already included in the displayed price.
Tax refund
Some stores may support tax refund for eligible travelers. You may need your passport and minimum purchase amount.
Bag and Packaging Tips
Shopping bag
Some stores charge for bags. Ask 可以给我一个袋子吗？ if you need one.
Basic packaging
Use 可以帮我包装一下吗？ if the item is fragile, small, or you want it packed neatly.
Gift wrapping
Use 可以做礼品包装吗？ if the item is a gift. It may cost extra.
Interactive Scenarios
Finding where to pay
- Traveler我想买这个。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhège.
I would like to buy this.
- Traveler可以在这里付款吗？
Kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ fùkuǎn ma?
Can I pay here?
- Traveler收银台在哪里？
Shōuyíntái zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the cashier?
Paying by QR code
- Traveler我可以扫码付款吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ sǎomǎ fùkuǎn ma?
Can I scan the code to pay?
- Traveler付款码在哪里？
Fùkuǎn mǎ zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the payment QR code?
- Traveler请帮我确认一下金额。
Qǐng bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià jīn'é.
Please help me confirm the amount.
Receipt and packaging
- Traveler请给我小票。
Qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào.
Please give me the printed receipt.
- Traveler可以给我一个袋子吗？
Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yí ge dàizi ma?
Could you give me a bag?
- Traveler可以做礼品包装吗？
Kěyǐ zuò lǐpǐn bāozhuāng ma?
Can you do gift wrapping?
Mini Quiz
How do you ask “Where is the cashier?”
- 收银台在哪里？ ✓ Answer
- 试衣间在哪里？
- 付款码在哪里？
Which phrase asks if card payment is accepted?
- 可以刷卡吗？ ✓ Answer
- 可以开发票吗？
- 可以包邮吗？
What do you say to ask for the printed receipt?
- 请给我小票。 ✓ Answer
- 请给我菜单。
- 请给我公筷。
Which phrase asks for gift wrapping?
- 可以做礼品包装吗？ ✓ Answer
- 可以帮我查一下库存吗？
- 可以帮我换一份吗？