Breakdown of zhè gè dōngxi bú tài guì, wǒ xiān shìshi.
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
Questions & Answers about zhè gè dōngxi bú tài guì, wǒ xiān shìshi.
Chinese normally uses the pattern demonstrative + measure word + noun: 这 + 个 + 东西 = “this thing.”
- Saying 这个东西 is the safest, most neutral option.
- In casual speech you can drop the measure word and say 这东西; it’s common and natural.
- Don’t say 这件东西 unless you really mean “this piece/item” in a stylistic or specific context; for everyday speech, use 个 with 东西.
- You can also hear the colloquial pronunciation zhèi ge for 这个.
Tone sandhi: 不 (bù) changes to the second tone bú when it comes directly before a fourth-tone syllable.
- Here it’s before 太 (tài) (4th tone), so you say bú tài.
- More examples: bú shì (不是), bú duì (不对).
- Before 1st/2nd/3rd tones, 不 stays bù.
When 东西 means “thing/stuff,” it’s pronounced dōngxi and the second syllable is a neutral tone (light).
When it literally means “east and west,” both syllables keep their tones: dōng xī.
- 不太贵 = “not very expensive.” It implies some cost, but not high.
- 不贵 = “not expensive” (more categorical, but still neutral).
- 便宜 = “cheap/inexpensive.” You can say 挺便宜的 (“quite cheap”).
- 太贵了 = “too expensive!” (complaint/exclamation).
So 不太贵 is softer than “cheap.”
In Chinese, adjectives act like verbs (stative verbs) and can directly be predicates: 这个东西不太贵.
- For a simple positive statement, you typically add a degree adverb: 这个东西很贵 (not “是贵”).
- You can say 这个东西不是太贵, but it has a slightly different tone (often a polite, downplaying “isn’t too…”).
先 (xiān) means “first/first of all” (do this before other actions). It’s an adverb that goes before the verb phrase: 我先试试.
- Pattern: 先 A，再/然后 B (“First A, then B”).
- Putting 先 after the verb (我试试先) is nonstandard in Mandarin (it’s a Cantonese-like order).
- 试试: verb reduplication; means “give it a try,” light/brief/polite.
- 试一试 / 试一下: virtually the same meaning; 一下 can sound a touch more polite.
- 试试看: “try and see,” casual, common.
- 尝试: “to attempt” (more formal/abstract; not used for trying on clothes).
- Specific verbs: 试穿 (try on clothes), 试用 (try out/use a product), 试吃/试喝 or 尝尝 (taste food/drink).
Tip: Don’t say 试试一下 (redundant).
Context often makes the object obvious, so 我先试试 is fine at a shop. If you include it, place it after the verb phrase:
- 我先试试这个。
- With “put” structure: 我先把这个试试。
Avoid patterns like “试这个试.”
Use a question or add softening particles:
- 我可以试试吗？ / 能试一下吗？
- For clothes: 可以试穿吗？ / 我可以试一下这件吗？
- You can also say: 我先试试吧。 (self-suggestion, softer)
Chinese often links clauses with a comma (parataxis). The comma here separates reason → action. You can add connectors:
- 这东西不太贵，所以/那我先试试。
- 这东西不太贵，然后我先试试。 (then)
Leaving just the comma is very natural.
It’s okay, but more precise is better. Use the right measure word and noun:
- Tops/dresses: 这件衣服不太贵，我先试穿一下。
- Pants/skirts: 这条裤子/裙子…
- Shoes: 这双鞋…
- Hat: 这顶帽子…