mặc cả
Definition
- Verb:
- To bargain / to haggle: The primary meaning of "mặc cả" is to negotiate the price of something, typically with the seller, in order to reach a mutually agreeable lower price.
- To negotiate terms: In a broader sense, it can refer to negotiating or discussing terms and conditions in a transaction or agreement.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Ở chợ, người mua thường mặc cả với người bán. (At the market, buyers often bargain with sellers.)
- Hai bên đang mặc cả giá hợp đồng. (The two sides are negotiating the contract price.)
- Cô ấy không biết cách mặc cả. (She doesn't know how to haggle.)
Advanced Usage
- The act of "mặc cả" is a common and expected practice in many traditional markets and informal business settings in Vietnam.
- It implies a back-and-forth discussion where both parties state their desired prices until a compromise is reached.
Variants and Related Words
- Trả giá (v): to offer a price, to bid. This can be part of the bargaining process.
- Anh ấy trả giá 100 nghìn cho chiếc áo. (He offered 100,000 dong for the shirt.)
- Thương lượng (v): to negotiate, to confer. This is a more formal and general term for negotiation, not limited to price.
Synonyms
- Bargain: To negotiate the terms of a transaction.
- Haggle: To argue or dispute, especially over the price of something.
- Negotiate: To try to reach an agreement through discussion.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Mặc cả mua bán: The specific process of bargaining in a buying and selling context.
- Mặc cả mua bán là nét văn hóa ở nhiều khu chợ. (Bargaining is a cultural feature in many markets.)