![\"\u8cb7\u8ce3](\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/images\/blog\/maimai.gif\")
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The words for to buy and to sell are very similar in Mandarin: \u8cb7 [\u4e70] (m\u01cei) [ma\u026a\u02e6\u02e9\u02e7] = buy and \u8ce3 [\u5356] (m\u00e0i) [ma\u026a\u02e5\u02e9] = to sell. In Cantonese the characters are the same, but are pronounced maai5 [ma\u02d0i\u02e9\u02e7] (buy) and maai6 [ma\u02d0i\u02e8] (sell) [source<\/a>]. The only difference between them is in the tones, and they are easily confused by learners. Do native speakers ever mix them up?<\/p>\n The character \u8cb7 combines \u7f51 (w\u01ceng – net) and \u8c9d (b\u00e8i – shell, cowrie) [source<\/a>], and \u8ce3 combines those elements plus \u51fa (ch\u016b – go out), which became reduced to \u58eb (sh\u00ec – soldier) over time [source<\/a>].<\/p>\n If you put these two characters together: \u8cb7\u8ce3 [\u4e70\u5356] (m\u01ceim\u00e0i) it means business, shop, store or deal [source<\/a>].<\/p>\n Do any other languages have words for buy and sell that are so similar?<\/p>\n Buying and selling both involve an exchange of goods or services. The only difference is in the direction of the exchange. I might sell something to<\/strong> you, or buy something from<\/strong> you, while you might sell something to<\/strong> me, or buy something from<\/strong> me.<\/p>\n The same is true of other pairs of words such as borrow and lend. The one you use depends on the direction of the exchange: I borrow from<\/strong> you, and you lend to<\/strong> me. Teach and learn are also similar: You teach me, and I learn from you, or I teach you, and you learn from me. Although in some varieties of English learn is used to mean learn and teach. <\/p>\n