رخيص
rakhees
The Arabic word for cheap is رخيص (rakhees).
رخيص is used to describe something that has a low or reduced price. Much like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's character as being of low quality or worthless.
Meaning: low and/or reduced in price (adj)
Which one should you use?
While رخيص specifically refers to price, you may also see the phrase رخيص الثمن, which means 'cheap in price'. This is a common way to be more descriptive or formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use the masculine form رخيص for masculine nouns, the feminine form رخيصة for feminine nouns and the feminine plural form رخيصات when describing a group of feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
rakhees
Did you know?
- The word رخيص shares a common ancestral root with the Amharic word ርካሽ, which also means 'cheap'.
- The root of رخيص relates to 'softness' or 'ease' in classical Arabic, describing something that is easy to obtain or easy to part with.
- In many Arabic dialects, calling a person رخيص is a severe insult, implying they lack honor or integrity rather than just being 'low quality'.
Examples in context
- هذا منزل رخيص الثمن.This house is cheap.This sentence is useful for describing a house using رخيص.Tatoeba #11708455 by dididodo, translation #8257097 by Amastan
- بيع المنزل بثمن رخيص.The house went cheap.Tatoeba #832726 by Samer, translation #49380 by CM
- كانت رخيصة الثمن جداً.It was really cheap.This sentence is useful for describing something using رخيص.Tatoeba #398450 by saeb, translation #37840 by CK
- المحل الجديد يقدم ملابس رخيصة جداً.The new store offers very cheap clothes.
- أتمنى أن تجد أماكن اقتصادية للإقامة في العاصمة.I hope you find affordable places to stay in the capital.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Yusuf are shopping for clothes at a market.
- مريم Maryamهل هذا القميص رخيص؟hal hadha al-qamis rakhis?Is this shirt cheap?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنه رخيص جداً.na'am, innahu rakhis jiddan.Yes, it is very cheap.
- مريم Maryamهذا رائع، سأشتريه.hadha ra'i', sa-ashtarihi.That is great, I will buy it.
- يوسف Youssefاختيار جيد يا مريم.ikhtiyar jayyid ya Mariam.Good choice, Mariam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries رخيص, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
