Meaning
打折 literally means 'to hit/strike a fold' but is the standard term for giving or receiving a discount on prices. The concept comes from the idea of 'folding down' the original price. In Chinese discount culture, discounts are expressed as percentages of the original price kept (e.g., 八折 means 80% of original price, or 20% off).
Usage
Commonly used in shopping contexts, both as a verb (商店打折 'the store is having a sale') and in phrases describing the discount amount. Note that Chinese discount notation is opposite to English: 九折 means 10% off (you pay 90%), while 五折 means 50% off (you pay half). Used in both spoken and written contexts, from casual conversation to formal advertising.
Examples
- 01这家店周末全场打八折。.This store has 20% off everything on weekends.
- 02双十一的时候很多网店都打折。.Many online stores have sales during Singles' Day (November 11).
Characters
Common collocations
- 打八折20% off (pay 80%)
- 打五折50% off (half price)
- 打折商品discounted goods
- 打折季sale season
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 打 (to do/make) with 折 (to fold/bend). The metaphor of 'folding' the price downward evolved into the modern meaning of discounting.