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IntermediateUnit 314 min

Bargaining at the market

Prices, quantities, and how to say “too expensive” with a smile

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Markets run on relationships and a little theater. Learn the lines and you will get the aunty price instead of the tourist price.

01

Vocabulary

  • mắc / đắt

    Say it like · mahk / daht

    expensive (S / N)

  • rẻ

    Say it like · reh

    cheap

  • bớt

    Say it like · buht

    to reduce (a price)

  • ký / cân

    Say it like · kee / kuhn

    kilogram (S / N)

  • tươi

    Say it like · too-uh-ee

    fresh

  • rau

    Say it like · rao

    vegetables / herbs

02

Phrases

  • Mắc quá, cô bớt cho con đi.

    Too expensive, aunty, knock a bit off for me.

  • Cho con một ký rau muống.

    One kilo of water spinach for me, please.

  • Còn tươi không?

    Is it still fresh?

03

Tips

  • Ask for a small discount, not a big one. You are building a relationship, not winning an argument.
  • Use “con” for yourself with market aunties and watch the price drop.