Chinese word

贱

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiàn

Meaning

  • adjectivecheap

Example

他把旧书贱卖了。tā bǎ jiù shū jiàn mài le

He sold the old books cheaply.

Illustration for 贱 (cheap)

More examples

商店把过期食品以贱价处理。shāng diàn bǎ guò qī shí pǐn yǐ jiàn jià chú lǐ

The store disposed of expired food at a low price.

Core concept

A low price or low standing is treated as a sign of diminished worth, often with a scornful tone.

Common phrases

  • 贱卖jiàn mài

    sell cheaply

  • 贱价jiàn jià

    low price

Similar words

便宜pián yi: Describes something costing little enough to feel easy to buy.
低价dī jià: Refers informally to a low price in ordinary speech.
廉价lián jià: Describes a very low price that gives something a cheap, low-quality appearance.
卑贱bēi jiàn: Insultingly describes a person or behavior as base and contemptible.

Definition in Chinese

价钱低，花费少，指某物以很低的价格出售；也可引申为品质、身份或言行低下，带有贬义。jià qián dī huā fèi shǎo zhǐ mǒu wù yǐ hěn dī de jià gé chū shòu yě kě yǐn shēn wèi pǐn zhì shēn fèn huò yán xíng dī xià dài yǒu biǎn yì

Word origin

贱 (jiàn, "cheap") is formed from 贝 (bèi, "shell money") + 戋 (jiān, "phonetic component"), and its low-price sense extends to low status and conduct.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may hear 贱 (jiàn, "cheap") as a neutral price description, but it often adds contempt, so neutral low-price wording is safer when no insult is intended.

Other meanings

  • despicableadjective
  • tackyadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 贱卖jiàn màisell cheaplyverb
  • 贱价jiàn jiàlow pricenoun

Word lists with this word