What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mejor (best) and precio (price).
Which one should you use?
While mejor precio is a common way to express the idea, el precio más bajo is used when you want to be more literal about the price being the lowest. For more formal settings, you can use el precio más competitivo to convey the idea of getting the best possible price or la tarifa más ventajosa to mean "the most advantageous rate". In very informal situations, particularly in Spain, people use el chollo to describe a great deal or a steal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression el chollo is a popular way to describe a great deal or a steal. In Mexico, the phrase el mejor precio is commonly used to mean "best price".
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a specific best price, such as "the best price in the market", you often add the definite article el before the phrase, resulting in el mejor precio.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexoɾ pɾeθjo/
When do people say it?
When negotiating a price, a common phrase to use is ¿Me puede hacer un descuento?, which means "Can you give me a discount?"
Did you know?
- The word mejor shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ameliorate', which means to make something better. Both stem from an ancient root signifying 'strong' or 'big'.
- While mejor precio is understood everywhere, the specific slang for a great bargain like el chollo is characteristic of Spain rather than Latin America.
Examples in context
- Busco el mejor precio para este teléfono.I am looking for the best price for this phone.
- Ellos ofrecen el mejor precio del mercado.They offer the best price in the market.
- No puedo encontrar un mejor precio que este.I cannot find a better price than this one.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are shopping for a new laptop at an electronics store.
- Mateo¿Sabes si tienen un mejor precio para esta laptop?Do you know if they have a better price for this laptop?
- ElenaCreo que este es el mejor precio disponible.I think this is the best price available.
- MateoEstá bien, voy a comprarla entonces.Okay, I'm going to buy it then.
- ElenaEs una excelente compra, Mateo.It is an excellent purchase, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mejor, precio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
