How to Say "That's too expensive" in Chinese (Mandarin)

Category: Numbers & Money

How to Pronounce "That's too expensive" in Mandarin

The Chinese word for 'That's too expensive' is 太贵了, pronounced Tài guì le in pinyin notation. To say it in English approximation: 'tie gway luh'.

Breaking Down the Characters

Character	Pinyin	Notes
太	Tài	Character component
贵	guì	Character component
了	le	Character component

Example Usage in Context

English	Chinese	Pinyin
I want to say 'That's too expensive'	太贵了	Tài guì le
How do you say That's too expensive?	"That's too expensive"怎么说？	"That's too expensive" zěnme shuō?
Please say That's too expensive slowly	请慢慢说太贵了	Qǐng màn màn shuō Tài guì le

Understanding Mandarin Tones

Mandarin Chinese uses four tones plus a neutral tone. Getting the tone right is essential - the same syllable with a different tone can mean a completely different word. The pinyin Tài guì le includes tone markers to guide correct pronunciation.

Tips for Learning Chinese Pronunciation

• Listen to native speakers on apps like HelloChinese or Duolingo
• Practice the four tones separately before combining them in words
• Record yourself and compare to native pronunciation
• The pinyin system is the standard romanisation - learn it once and use it everywhere

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