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March 24, 2026
买卖(買賣)mǎimai(mai3mai5)
买卖 (mǎi mài) refers to the act of buying and selling, encompassing the concept of business transactions. It is commonly used in commercial contexts to describe trade activities and can also imply a general sense of business operations. The term highlights the mutual exchange involved in commerce.
Frequency#3185DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, small-scale markets and street vendors play a significant role in the concept of 买卖, reflecting a vibrant tradition of negotiation and haggling that is less common in many Western cultures.
Memory Tip
Think of 买 (mǎi) as 'buy' with the character resembling a person holding a bag of goods, and 卖 (mài) as 'sell', where the character looks like a person giving away goods. Together, they form the cycle of trade: you buy, you sell, and you make a deal!
Meanings of 买卖
mǎimai(mai3mai5)
1buying and selling
2business
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About 买卖
买卖Simplified
買賣Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
桩Measure Word
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 买卖
Podcast: 买卖
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AI Study Notes for 买卖
Quick Contrast
买 (mǎi, buy) vs 卖 (mài, sell) — choose 买卖 when referring to the overall concept of trade rather than an individual action.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 买 (mǎi) as 'buy' with the character resembling a person holding a bag of goods, and 卖 (mài) as 'sell', where the character looks like a person giving away goods. Together, they form the cycle of trade: you buy, you sell, and you make a deal!
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 买 (mǎi) and 卖 (mài) due to their similar pronunciations. It's important to remember that 买 is to buy and 卖 is to sell. This term is more commonly used in informal settings but can be used in business discussions as well.
HSK Study Tips
Although 买卖 may not appear directly in HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for learners at HSK 3 and above. Focus on recognizing the characters separately and understanding their combined meaning in business contexts.
Cultural Note
In China, small-scale markets and street vendors play a significant role in the concept of 买卖, reflecting a vibrant tradition of negotiation and haggling that is less common in many Western cultures.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse the order of 买 and 卖, using ‘卖买’ instead of ‘买卖.’ Always remember the correct order: 买 (buy) comes first, followed by 卖 (sell).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 买卖
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Cultural Notes for 买卖
🏮Cultural insight
In China, small-scale markets and street vendors play a significant role in the concept of 买卖, reflecting a vibrant tradition of negotiation and haggling that is less common in many Western cultures.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike in many Western countries where fixed pricing is standard, 买卖 often involves negotiation in Chinese culture, making the transaction process more dynamic and interactive.
Frequently Asked Questions about 买卖
You can say '我在市场上做买卖' (Wǒ zài shìchǎng shàng zuò mǎimài), meaning 'I do business at the market.'
No, 买卖 can also refer to services and intangible products in business, such as consulting.
While it is more commonly used in informal contexts, it can still appear in business reports or discussions.
