At the till, Mandarin comes fast. Here are the six questions you'll hear most—about bags, membership, payment, receipts, heating, and dining in—with natural answers and a branching dialogue to rehearse.
You'll hear these six questions at supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food counters. They come fast and often without warning. The goal isn't to answer perfectly—it's to recognise the shape of the question and respond with one of a few safe replies. Below are the six, with tone-marked pinyin and natural answers. Practise them aloud until your reply is automatic.
1. 要袋子吗？ (yào dàizi ma?) — Do you want a bag?
This is the most common question at any supermarket till. In most stores, plastic bags cost a small fee—often 0.5 to 1 yuan—so the cashier asks before scanning. If you have your own bag, say 不用，谢谢 (bú yòng, xièxie). If you need one, say 要一个 (yào yí ge) or 要两个 (yào liǎng ge).
Listen for the word 袋子 (dàizi). It sounds like "dye-dzuh." The cashier may also say 要袋儿吗？ (yào dàir ma?) in northern China, with a retroflex ending. Both mean the same.
At some convenience stores, the bag is free and the cashier won't ask. At others, especially in Beijing and Shanghai, they ask every time. If you're unsure, just say 不用，谢谢 and put items in your backpack.
2. Do you have a membership card? (yǒu huìyuán ma?) — Do you have a membership card?
This question comes at supermarkets, pharmacies, and some chain stores. If you have a membership, show the card or give your phone number. If not, say 没有 (méiyǒu) or 不用，谢谢 (bú yòng, xièxie). The cashier may then ask 办一张吗？ (bàn yì zhāng ma?) — Do you want to open one? A simple 不用，谢谢 ends the conversation.
Membership sign-up often requires a Chinese phone number. If you don't have one, don't feel pressured. Just decline politely. The cashier won't be offended.
Note: 会员 (huìyuán) is used for both the card and the person. At some stores, they might say 有会员卡吗？ (yǒu huìyuánkǎ ma?)—same meaning.
3. How will you pay? (zěnme zhīfù?) — How will you pay?
This is your cue to choose a payment method. The most common answers are 微信 (Wēixìn), 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo), or 现金 (xiànjīn). If you're using an international card, say 刷卡 (shuā kǎ). But note: many small shops don't accept foreign cards. The payment guide for overseas visitors explains that mobile payment with Alipay or WeChat Pay is widely accepted, but you'll need to link a card. See the payment service guide for setup steps.
If you're paying cash, say 现金 (xiànjīn). The cashier may ask 有零钱吗？ (yǒu língqián ma?) — Do you have small change? It's polite to have some, but not required.
At chain convenience stores, you can often just hold up your phone with the payment code. The cashier will scan it. But they still might ask 怎么支付？ (How would you like to pay?) to confirm.
4. Do you want the receipt? (yào xiǎopiào ma?) — Do you want the receipt?
This is common at supermarkets and larger stores. 小票 (xiǎopiào) is the thermal receipt, not a formal invoice. If you need a formal invoice for reimbursement, ask 可以开发票吗？ (kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?)—but that's usually at a separate counter. For everyday shopping, 要 (yào) or 不用 (bú yòng) is enough.
Some cashiers will just hand you the receipt without asking. If you don't want it, say 不用，谢谢. If you do, say 要，谢谢.
At fast-food restaurants, the receipt often includes your order number. Keep it if you're waiting for food.
5. Do you want it heated? (yào jiārè ma?) — Do you want it heated?
You'll hear this at convenience stores when buying ready-to-eat food like rice balls, sandwiches, or bento boxes. 加热 (jiārè) means to heat up. If you want it hot, say 要，谢谢 (yào, xièxie). If not, say 不用，谢谢.
At some stores, the cashier might ask 需要加热吗？ (xūyào jiārè ma?)—same meaning. The microwave is usually behind the counter, so you'll hand the item back if you want it heated.
Note: Not all convenience stores offer heating. If they don't ask, you can request it: 可以加热吗？ (kěyǐ jiārè ma?).
6. Eat here or take away? (zài zhèr chī háishì dàizǒu?) — Eat here or take away?
This is the standard question at fast-food counters, noodle shops, and food courts. 在这儿吃 (zài zhèr chī) means dine in. 带走 (dàizǒu) means take away. In some regions, you'll hear 打包 (dǎbāo) for takeaway, especially in the south. If you're eating in, say 在这儿吃. If you're taking away, say 带走.
At busy places, the cashier may just point to a sign or ask 堂食还是外带？ (tángshí háishì wàidài?)—more formal words for the same choice. 堂食 (tángshí) means dine in, 外带 (wàidài) means takeaway.
If you're unsure, just say 带走 and you can eat wherever you like.
Branching dialogue: At the supermarket till
Here's a realistic exchange. The cashier's lines are in bold. Your possible replies branch based on your situation.
Cashier: Do you need a bag? (yào dàizi ma?)
You: 不用，谢谢。 (bú yòng, xièxie.) — No, thanks.
Cashier: Do you have a membership? (yǒu huìyuán ma?)
You: 没有。 (méiyǒu.) — No.
Cashier: How do I pay?
You: 微信。 (Wēixìn.) — WeChat Pay.
Cashier: 要小票吗？ (yào xiǎopiào ma?)
You: 要，谢谢。 (yào, xièxie.) — Yes, thanks.
If you're buying a bento box, the cashier might add: 要加热吗？ (yào jiārè ma?)
You: 要，谢谢。 (yào, xièxie.) — Yes, please.
At a fast-food counter, after you order, the cashier asks: 在这儿吃还是带走？ (zài zhèr chī háishì dàizǒu?)
You: 带走。 (dàizǒu.) — Take away.
Practice plan: Your next three uses
Don't try to master all six at once. Pick one question per trip. Here's a three-step plan for your next three shopping trips:
Trip 1: Focus on 要袋子吗？ (yào dàizi ma?). Before you reach the till, decide your answer: 要一个 or 不用，谢谢. Say it clearly. That's your only goal.
Trip 2: Add 有会员吗？ (yǒu huìyuán ma?). Prepare 没有 or 不用，谢谢. If they ask 办一张吗？, just say 不用，谢谢.
Trip 3: Add 怎么支付？ (zěnme zhīfù?) and 要小票吗？ (yào xiǎopiào ma?). Decide your payment method in advance. If you're using WeChat Pay, say 微信. For the receipt, 要 or 不用.
After three trips, you'll have heard each question at least once. The fourth time, it'll feel familiar. For more context on daily life and payment setup, see the guide for business expatriates.