Definition
买 is the everyday, general verb for 'to buy' — you use it for groceries, clothes, books, etc. 购物 (gòu wù) means 'to go shopping' as an activity, not a single purchase; 购买 (gòu mǎi) is a more formal, written word for 'to purchase'.
verb
to buyto purchase
Easily confused
- 卖màilook-aliketo sell
- 埋máisound-aliketo bury
- 迈màisound-aliketo take a step, to stride
Examples
- 买。Tā xiǎng mǎi yí gè píngguǒ.He wants to buy an apple.
- 买？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn shū ma?Do you want to buy this book?
- 买。Wǒ qù mǎi niúnǎi hé miànbāo.I'm going to buy milk and bread.
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