42.3 Prices II

To indicate a unit price, we first say the price and then the number 一 jat1 (‘one’) and the classifier for the unit.

We can optionally omit the number 一 jat1.

The number can be other numbers. Notice we use 兩 loeng5 for ‘two’.

It is also possible to put the price behind the classifier. Note that we don’t omit the number 一 in this case.

We can also use the word 每 mui5 (‘each’). We first say 每 mui5 and the classifier and then the price.

To indicate the unit price of an item, we simply put the unit price after the item to form a sentence. Note that we don’t need to add a verb between the item and the unit price. It is a sentence structure that has a predicate without a verb (see Grammar and Vocabulary 12.4).

To ask for the unit price of an item, we simply put the question word 幾多錢 gei2 do1 cin2 / 幾錢 gei2 cin2 (‘how much’ for money) at the position of the price.

We can optionally omit the number 一 jat1.

We can omit the unit if we are not sure about it.

We can also put the question word 點 dim2 / 點樣 dim2 joeng2 (‘how’) and the verb 賣 maai6 (‘to sell’) after an item to ask how the item is sold. In the context of buying groceries, we also use this type of question simply to ask for the price of an item.