tèjià: 特价 - Special Price, On Sale, Bargain

• Keywords: tèjià, 特价, special price in Chinese, on sale in Chinese, Chinese bargain, China shopping, Chinese discount, how to say on sale in Mandarin, Taobao deals, HSK 3 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese shopping word 特价 (tèjià), which means “special price” or “on sale”. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in China's vibrant shopping scene, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences. Understand the key difference between 特价 (a specific sale price) and 打折 (a percentage discount) to shop smarter and speak like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tè jià
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A special, reduced price for a product, usually for a limited time.
• In a Nutshell: 特价 (tèjià) is the word you'll see on price tags in a Chinese supermarket or on a Taobao listing to indicate an item is on sale. It literally means “special price.” Think of it not as a general discount, but as a specific, new, lower price for an item. Seeing 特价 is a direct and exciting signal for bargain hunters.

• 特 (tè): This character means “special,” “unique,” or “particular.” You'll see it in other common words like 特别 (tèbié), meaning “especially” or “special.”
• 价 (jià): This character means “price” or “value.” It's the core of the word for price itself, 价格 (jiàgé).

The two characters combine in a very straightforward way: Special (特) + Price (价) = Special Price (特价).

In China, a passion for shopping and a keen eye for good value are deeply ingrained in modern culture. 特价 (tèjià) is more than just a marketing term; it's a central concept in the national sport of bargain hunting. While Western culture has sales events like Black Friday, China has elevated this to an art form with events like “Double 11” (双十一 - Shuāng Shíyī) on November 11th, the world's largest online shopping day. During these massive sales festivals, millions of products are marked with the 特价 label. Unlike the American concept of a “clearance sale,” which might imply old or undesirable stock, a 特价 item is often a popular product being used as a “loss leader” or a promotional highlight. Finding a great 特价 is a source of satisfaction and something to be shared with friends. It's tied to the practical value of being a savvy consumer (会过日子 - huì guò rìzi, literally “to know how to live life,” meaning to be frugal and manage money well).

You will encounter 特价 constantly in daily life.

• In Supermarkets and Stores: Look for bright, often red or yellow, tags next to the original price. The tag will say 特价 followed by the new, lower price.
• On E-commerce Apps (Taobao, JD.com): This is one of the most common terms you'll see. It will be clearly displayed on product listings to draw your attention.
• In Restaurants: A restaurant might offer a 特价菜 (tèjià cài), which is a “special price dish of the day.”
• As an Adjective: It can be used directly before a noun to describe something that is on sale. For example, 特价商品 (tèjià shāngpǐn) means “special price merchandise/products.”

Its connotation is always positive and exciting for the consumer. It is used in both formal advertisements and informal conversations.

• Example 1:
• 这家超市的牛奶今天特价。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā chāoshì de niúnǎi jīntiān tèjià.
• English: The milk at this supermarket is on special offer today.
• Analysis: Here, 特价 acts as a predicate, directly stating the condition of the milk. This is a very common structure.
• Example 2:
• 服务员，请问这件衣服是特价吗？
• Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, qǐngwèn zhè jiàn yīfu shì tèjià ma?
• English: Excuse me, is this item of clothing on sale?
• Analysis: A perfect and practical question to ask a shop assistant. “是…吗?” (shì…ma?) is the standard way to form a yes/no question.
• Example 3:
• 我在网上买了一双特价鞋子。
• Pinyin: Wǒ zài wǎngshàng mǎi le yì shuāng tèjià xiézi.
• English: I bought a pair of on-sale shoes online.
• Analysis: In this sentence, 特价 is used as an adjective modifying “shoes” (鞋子). Note the use of “在网上” (zài wǎngshàng) for “online.”
• Example 4:
• 今天的特价菜是麻婆豆腐。
• Pinyin: Jīntiān de tèjià cài shì mápó dòufu.
• English: Today's special-price dish is Mapo Tofu.
• Analysis: Common in restaurants. 特价菜 (tèjià cài) is a set phrase for the daily special.
• Example 5:
• 这次旅行，我们订到了特价机票。
• Pinyin: Zhè cì lǚxíng, wǒmen dìng dào le tèjià jīpiào.
• English: For this trip, we managed to book special-price plane tickets.
• Analysis: The phrase “订到了” (dìng dào le) implies success in booking. The 特价 here modifies “plane tickets” (机票).
• Example 6:
• 所有特价商品都不能退换。
• Pinyin: Suǒyǒu tèjià shāngpǐn dōu bùnéng tuìhuàn.
• English: All special-price products cannot be returned or exchanged.
• Analysis: A very important practical sentence to know when shopping! 特价商品 (tèjià shāngpǐn) is a common phrase for “sale items.”
• Example 7:
• 你看，这台电视正在搞特价活动！
• Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, zhè tái diànshì zhèngzài gǎo tèjià huódòng!
• English: Look, this TV is having a special price promotion!
• Analysis: The phrase “搞…活动” (gǎo…huódòng) means “to run an activity/promotion.” It shows 特价 as the theme of the promotion.
• Example 8:
• 哇，才一百块？真是特价啊！
• Pinyin: Wā, cái yībǎi kuài? Zhēnshi tèjià a!
• English: Wow, only 100 RMB? That's a real bargain!
• Analysis: Shows an informal, excited reaction. The particle “啊” (a) at the end enhances the feeling of surprise and satisfaction.
• Example 9:
• 如果你想买便宜的东西，可以去特价区看看。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng mǎi piányi de dōngxi, kěyǐ qù tèjià qū kànkan.
• English: If you want to buy cheap things, you can go have a look at the special-price area.
• Analysis: 特价区 (tèjià qū) is the “special price section” or “sale aisle” in a store.
• Example 10:
• 这本书的原价是50元，特价35元。
• Pinyin: Zhè běn shū de yuánjià shì wǔshí yuán, tèjià sānshíwǔ yuán.
• English: The original price of this book is 50 yuan, the special price is 35 yuan.
• Analysis: This sentence clearly contrasts the “original price” (原价 - yuánjià) with the 特价, which is a common format on price tags.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 特价 (tèjià) and 打折 (dǎzhé). They both mean “on sale,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 特价 (tèjià): An absolute new price. It refers to the specific sale price itself.
  • Example: “The special price is ¥88.” (特价是八十八元。)
• 打折 (dǎzhé): A relative discount, based on a percentage. It literally means “to break” or “to fold” the price.
  • 打八折 (dǎ bā zhé) means 80% of the original price (a 20% discount).
  • 打五折 (dǎ wǔ zhé) means 50% of the original price (a 50% discount).

Common Mistake: Asking “这个有特价吗？” (Zhège yǒu tèjià ma? - Does this have a special price?) is correct. However, asking a shopkeeper “特价多少?” (Tèjià duōshǎo? - How much is the special price?) can sound a bit abrupt. It's more natural to ask “这个卖多少钱?” (Zhège mài duōshǎo qián? - How much does this sell for?) and let them point out the special price. Incorrect Usage:

• Incorrect: 这个打特价吗？ (Zhège dǎ tèjià ma?)
• Why it's wrong: You cannot “打 (dǎ)” a 特价. 打 is the verb for percentage discounts (打折).
• Correct: 这个是特价吗？ (Zhège shì tèjià ma?) or 这个有折扣吗？ (Zhège yǒu zhékòu ma? - Does this have a discount?)

• 打折 (dǎzhé) - To give a percentage-based discount. The most common alternative to 特价.
• 优惠 (yōuhuì) - A discount, coupon, or preferential offer. A broader, more formal term that can include 特价 or 打折.
• 促销 (cùxiāo) - A sales promotion. This is the word for the entire event or marketing campaign, of which a 特价 is a part.
• 减价 (jiǎnjià) - To reduce the price. A verb describing the action of making something cheaper.
• 原价 (yuánjià) - Original price. The antonym or starting point for a 特价.
• 价格 (jiàgé) - Price. The general, neutral term for the cost of something.
• 便宜 (piányi) - Cheap, inexpensive. An adjective describing the result of a successful 特价 purchase.
• 划算 (huásuàn) - Good value, a good deal. An adjective describing a purchase that is well worth the money, often because it was 特价.