打折
to give a discount
dǎzhé
What does 打折 mean?
打折 (dǎzhé) is a verb meaning 'to give a discount / to sell at a reduced price.' It is neutral, everyday shopping vocabulary. The crucial trap for English speakers is how the number works: Chinese states the fraction of the price you PAY, not the amount off. 打八折 (dǎ bā zhé) means 'pay 80%' — i.e.
20% off — and 打五折 means 'pay 50%' (half price). So a bigger-sounding number is actually a smaller discount. 打折 alone means 'there's a sale on.' Grammatically 打折 is a verb-object compound (打 + 折), so a number splits it: 打七五折 = pay 75%. Figuratively, 打折扣 (dǎ zhékòu) can mean 'to fall short / not fully deliver,' as in 服务打了折扣 (the service was compromised).
Character breakdown
to do; to apply (light action verb)
to fold; fraction; discount
Memory hook: 折 = a fraction 'folded off' the price. 打八折 = you pay eight-tenths (80%).
Example sentences
这件衣服打折了，很便宜。
Zhè jiàn yīfu dǎzhé le, hěn piányi.
This piece of clothing is on sale, it's very cheap.
spoken
这家店所有商品打八折。
Zhè jiā diàn suǒyǒu shāngpǐn dǎ bā zhé.
Everything in this store is 20% off.
neutral
对不起，这个价格不能打折。
Duìbuqǐ, zhège jiàgé bù néng dǎzhé.
Sorry, this price can't be discounted.
neutral
会员买东西可以打九折。
Huìyuán mǎi dōngxi kěyǐ dǎ jiǔ zhé.
Members get 10% off their purchases.
neutral
Common phrases with 打折
Synonyms
优惠 is a broader 'special offer / favorable deal' — could be a discount, a gift, or a coupon. 打折 specifically means a percentage reduction off the price.
减价 means 'to reduce the price / mark down,' stating the reduction directly. 打折 states the fraction you still pay (打八折 = pay 80%), which trips up learners.
Don't confuse 打折 with
FAQ
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