The Words
Shopping vocabulary
Learn these and you will follow most of what happens at a shop or market stall.
At the Shop
Asking and buying
These phrases carry you through a whole purchase, from asking the price to paying.
The single most useful shopping phrase. You met it in Lesson 02. Point at the item and ask.
بہت (bohat) = very/too, مہنگا (mehnga) = expensive. The opening move in any friendly bargain.
کچھ (kuch) = some/a little, کم کریں (kam karein) = reduce (polite). The standard, polite way to ask for a discount.
لوں گا (loon ga) = will take, said by a man; a woman says لوں گی (loon gi). Use it once you have agreed a price.
کلو (kilo) = kilogram, دے دیں (day dain) = please give. Combine with numbers: دو کلو (do kilo) = two kilos.
یہ لیں (yeh lain) = here, take this, پیسے (paisay) = money. Said as you hand over payment.
Quick Reference
Everything at a glance
Drill the shopping words and phrases here.
Bargaining is part of the fun
In Pakistani bazaars, bargaining is expected and even enjoyed. The first price is rarely the final price. Saying یہ بہت مہنگا ہے (yeh bohat mehnga hay) with a smile, then کچھ کم کریں (kuch kam karein), is a normal, friendly exchange, not rudeness.
In fixed-price shops and supermarkets, however, prices are set, just like in the UK. Bargaining there would feel out of place. A good rule: if there are price tags, pay the price; if a seller names a price out loud, you can usually negotiate.
Practice
Try it yourself
Say each answer out loud, then check.
What would you say?
Imagine you are at a Pakistani bazaar.
Shop and bargain like a local.
Numbers, prices, and a bit of friendly back and forth: shopping is one of the most fun ways to use your Urdu. Practise it live with a teacher. Book a free call.