The way people make payments when shopping nowadays is totally different than before. Technology plays a huge part in making shopping, one of China’s national pastimes, easier and quicker than ever. Be sure you are up-to-date with the ways you can make purchasing almost anything easier and more efficient; and then you can talk with your friends and colleagues about it!
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(i) To make a purchase in a shop with a WeChat wallet or Alipay
(ii) How to discuss your options about purchasing with the sales staff
Dialogue:
A shopper is about to make a purchase:
（在商场）
(zài shāng chǎng)
(at the department store)
A:您好，一共是128元。
Nín hǎo, yī gòng shì yī bǎi èr shí bā yuán.
Here you are, the total is 128 Yuan.
B:好，可以用微信钱包或者支付宝么？
Hǎo, kě yǐ yòng wēi xìn qián bāo huò zhě zhī fù bǎo me?
Okay, thanks. Can I use WeChat wallet or Alipay to pay?
A:可以。
Kě yǐ.
Yes, you can.
B:太好了，这是我的支付宝。
Tài hǎo le, zhè shì wǒ de zhī fù bǎo.
Great. This is my Alipay card.
（扫描声）
(sǎo miáo sheng)
(Scanning sound)
B:哇，这样付款真的又快又方便。以后我连钱和银行卡都不用带了。
Wà, zhè yàng fù kuǎn zhēn de yòu kuài yòu fāng biàn. Yǐ hòu wǒ lián qián hé yín háng kǎ dōu bù yòng dài le.
Wow, making a payment like this is really fast and convenient. I don’t even need to bring money or bank card with me in the future.
A:是啊，现在的科技完全改变了人们的购物方式。
Shì a, xiàn zài de kē jì wán quán gǎi biàn le rén mén de gòu wù fāng shì.
Yes, the technology nowadays has totally changed the way people shop.
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
商场：department store
微信钱包：WeChat wallet
支付宝：Alipay
扫描：scan
付款：make a payment
方便：convenient
钱：money/cash
银行卡：bank card
科技：technology
购物方式：the way people shop
Cultural/Grammar note:
There has been a revolution in the ways people make payments for good in China. Thanks to technology, we don’t have to bring cash, credit cards, or even debit cards, when we make a purchase. Your mobile phone can do it all for you! In China, there are two very popular ways, WeChat pay (微信支付) and Alipay (支付宝). ‘微信支付’ which is similar to GoWallet. You can transfer money to your friends or family on ‘微信’. Also you can use your money in your wallet (微信钱包) to create a credit card balance. Alipay (支付宝) is similar to Paypal, which claims that, in several big cities in China, you can even use ‘支付宝’ to make a purchase in the physical store.
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