售货员

• Pinyin: shòu huò yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 售 = 隹 (short-tailed bird) + 口 (mouth), meaning to sell; 货 = 亻(person) + 化 (change) + 贝 (shell/money), meaning goods; 员 = 口 (mouth) + 贝 (shell), meaning member or person

Meaning

Shop assistant; salesperson; sales clerk.

Refers to a person who sells goods in a shop or store. A somewhat traditional term that is still commonly used, especially for department store or retail staff. In modern Chinese, 销售 or 导购 are also used in certain contexts.

Examples

1. 售货员热情地向我们介绍了新产品。 The shop assistant enthusiastically introduced the new products to us.
2. 这位售货员的服务态度非常好。 This sales clerk has a very good service attitude.
3. 她在商场当了三年售货员。 She worked as a shop assistant at the mall for three years.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, work

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 你可以问一下售货员这件衣服有没有大号的。(You can ask the sales clerk if this shirt comes in a larger size.)
• 售货员推荐了一款很好用的护肤品。(The shop assistant recommended a really good skincare product.)

Don't Say

• 网店的售货员给我发了快递。(Don't use 售货员 for online store staff — use 客服 for customer service reps. 售货员 implies in-person retail.)

Origin & History

Compound of 售 (to sell), 货 (goods), and 员 (person/member), literally 'goods-selling person.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal