I tried again today, this time with what I thought was a fool proof plan. Forgot it had in me in it, though, but I was successful in getting what I asked for. I said “wu xiang san ge bau. nin xuanzi” which I believe to mean “I want three buns. You choose.” She had to repeat it back to me and I repeated the last part, and she waved a single finger and I waved three, but they got it, and I got three buns. I realized after she started that she was probably asking if I wanted three different buns or three of one kind, but whatever. It was someone understanding something that I said without any pointing. Yay!

Also, use “je ge” and “ne ge” (sounds like “jay guh” and “nay guh”) They mean “this one” and “that one.” That, combined with pointing and saying “bu shi” (“boo sure”) when they grab the wrong one, will get you a long way.

If you want to get fancy, say “gei wo” (“gay woah”) before “yi ge ne ge” and point and you’ve said “Give me one of that.”