Chinese word

便宜

Pronunciation

Pinyinpián yi

Meaning

  • adjectivecheap

Example

这个菜很便宜。zhè ge cài hěn pián yi

This dish is very cheap.

Illustration for 便宜 (cheap)

More examples

超市里的苹果卖得很便宜。chāo shì lǐ de píng guǒ mài de hěn pián yi

The apples in the supermarket are sold very cheaply.

Core concept

A low price that makes an item easy to afford and can make the purchase a good deal.

Common phrases

  • 卖得很便宜mài de hěn pián yi

    be sold very cheaply

  • 便宜的东西pián yi de dōng xī

    inexpensive things

Similar words

贵guì: Describing something that costs a lot because its price is high.

Definition in Chinese

价格低，物品或服务所需费用少，通常用于说某样东西不贵。jià gé dī wù pǐn huò fú wù suǒ xū fèi yòng shǎo tōng cháng yòng yú shuō mǒu yàng dōng xī bú guì

Word origin

便宜 (piányi, "cheap") combines 便 (pián, "convenient") + 宜 (yí, "suitable"); its sense moved from something fitting or advantageous to a price that is low.

Usage tips

  • English cheap can sometimes suggest poor quality, while this adjective normally reports a low price without making that judgment.

Other meanings

  • good valueadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 便宜货pián yi huòinexpensive goodsnoun

Word lists with this word