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零售 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
零售língshòuto retailHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #16247, Very Hard
零售língshòuto sell individually or in small quantitiesHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #16247, Very Hard
língshòu(ling2shou4)ling shou T2
  1. 1to retail
  2. 2to sell individually or in small quantities
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March 24, 2026

零售língshòu(ling2shou4)

零售 (língshòu) refers to the sale of goods in small quantities directly to consumers, as opposed to wholesale, where products are sold in bulk. This term is commonly used in the context of businesses that sell directly to the public, such as stores and online retailers.

Strokes24Frequency#16247DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In China, the retail landscape is rapidly evolving with the rise of e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD.com, making 零售 a crucial aspect of daily shopping habits. Understanding this term helps learners grasp the significance of consumer culture in modern China.

Memory tip

Imagine a tiny shop with a sign that says '零' (zero) because it sells just one item at a time. The '售' (shòu) sounds like 'show,' where the owner shows individual products to customers. Together, they create a picture of selling small amounts, perfect for personal use.

Meanings of 零售

língshòu(ling2shou4)
1to retail
2to sell individually or in small quantities
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About 零售

零售Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 零售

Quick Contrast

批发 (pīfā, wholesale) — use 零售 when referring to selling in small quantities to consumers, whereas 批发 refers to selling in bulk to retailers.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 零售 with 批发 (pīfā, wholesale), which refers to selling in bulk. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning. Common collocations include '零售价格' (língshòu jiàgé, retail price) and '零售商' (língshòu shāng, retailer).

HSK Study Tips

零售 is relevant for intermediate learners as it connects to themes of commerce and consumerism. Students should focus on related vocabulary such as '市场' (shìchǎng, market) and '买' (mǎi, to buy) to enhance their understanding of retail contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use the term inappropriately, such as saying '我去批发' (wǒ qù pīfā, I go to wholesale) when they mean to say '我去零售' (wǒ qù língshòu, I go to retail). Remember to use the correct term based on the context of buying in bulk versus small quantities.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 零售

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Component characters

零língzero
HSK 113 strokes雨
View full entry
售shòuto sell
11 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to retail in Chinese

“to retail” in Chinese is零售língshòu

零售 (língshòu) refers to the sale of goods in small quantities directly to consumers, as opposed to wholesale, where products are sold in bulk. This term is commonly used in the context of businesses that sell directly to the public, such as stores and online retailers.

When to use 零售

Learners often confuse 零售 with 批发 (pīfā, wholesale), which refers to selling in bulk. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning. Common collocations include '零售价格' (língshòu jiàgé, retail price) and '零售商' (língshòu shāng, retailer).

零售 or something close to it

批发 (pīfā, wholesale) — use 零售 when referring to selling in small quantities to consumers, whereas 批发 refers to selling in bulk to retailers.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use the term inappropriately, such as saying '我去批发' (wǒ qù pīfā, I go to wholesale) when they mean to say '我去零售' (wǒ qù língshòu, I go to retail). Remember to use the correct term based on the context of buying in bulk versus small quantities.

Write 零售

零
售

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Frequently asked questions about 零售

零售 (língshòu) refers to retail sales to individual consumers, while 批发 (pīfā) refers to wholesale, selling in bulk to resellers or businesses.

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