In shopping situations, short and clear phrases are more useful than long sentences. These ten Vietnamese phrases cover markets, small shops, convenience stores, and malls.
1. Cái này bao nhiêu tiền?
Meaning: How much is this?
This is the core price question. You can point at the item and say cái này even when you do not know the product name.
2. Cái kia bao nhiêu tiền?
Meaning: How much is that?
Use cái kia for an item a little farther away. Think of cái này as “this one” and cái kia as “that one.”
3. Cho tôi xem cái này được không?
Meaning: Can I see this?
Use this when you want to look at something in a display case, try a product, or hold an item before buying it.
4. Có màu khác không?
Meaning: Do you have another color?
This is useful for clothes, bags, phone cases, and souvenirs. For size, try Có size lớn hơn không? for “Do you have a bigger size?”
5. Tôi lấy cái này.
Meaning: I will take this one.
Use this when you have decided what to buy. In casual situations, Lấy cái này is also understood.
6. Cho tôi hai cái.
Meaning: Please give me two.
Replace hai with another number. One is một cái, and three is ba cái.
7. Nửa ký được không?
Meaning: Is half a kilogram okay?
This is practical for fruit and vegetables. Một ký is one kilogram, and nửa ký is half a kilogram.
8. Bớt chút được không?
Meaning: Can you lower the price a little?
Use this gently in markets. It is not for supermarkets or convenience stores, where prices are usually fixed.
9. Tổng cộng bao nhiêu tiền?
Meaning: How much is it in total?
Use this when buying multiple items and you want to confirm the final amount before paying.
10. Tôi chuyển khoản được không?
Meaning: Can I pay by bank transfer or QR payment?
QR and bank transfers are common in Vietnam. For cash, say Tôi trả tiền mặt được không?