折扣 zhékòu discount
How to remember 折扣: 折 break + 扣 to detain = discount.
Characters
How it is used
- A discount - 打折扣 (dǎ zhékòu) give a discount; 八折 (bā zhé) = 20% off (Chinese states the fraction you PAY, so 八折 = 80% of price).
- Watch that logic: 打折 means marking down; 七五折 = you pay 75%. The figurative 打折扣 also means 'to fall short / do half-heartedly': 效果打了折扣 the effect was diminished.
- 折 here is zhé.