billig
[ˈbɪlɪç]
In German, the English word 'cheap' is translated as billig. Wiktionary also lists preiswert and preisgünstig.
Meaning: low and/or reduced in price (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| billig | [ˈbɪlɪç] (Northern Germany, narrow) [ˈbɪlɪkʰ] (Upper German, narrow) |
| preiswert | /ˈpraɪ̯s.veːɐ̯t/ |
| preisgünstig | /ˈpʁaɪ̯sˌɡʏnstɪç/ /-ˌɡʏnstɪk/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The term preiswert is a compound of Preis (price) and wert (worth). The term preisgünstig is a compound of Preis (price) and günstig (favorable or advantageous).
Which one should you use?
While billig can mean low in price, it often carries a negative connotation of being low quality or 'cheaply made'. To avoid this negative connotation, use preiswert when you want to say something is a good deal or worth the money. For a more formal or commercial tone, such as in advertisements, use preisgünstig to describe something as being at a favorable or budget-friendly price.
Did you know?
- If a German describes a deal as zu billig, they are not just saying it is very cheap, but are often expressing suspicion that the item might be fake or stolen.
- The word billig originally meant 'appropriate' or 'fitting' in Old High German, rather than referring to a low price.
- The word günstig in preisgünstig can also mean 'convenient' or 'timely', such as a günstiger Zeitpunkt for a meeting.
Examples in context
- Es sah billig aus.It looked cheap.This sentence shows how to describe the appearance of an object using billig.Tatoeba #1187198 by samueldora, translation #357653 by CK
- Oh! Das ist billig!Wow! That's cheap!This sentence shows an exclamation of surprise regarding the low price of something using billig.Tatoeba #671939 by klagefall, translation #42587 by CK
- Es ist sehr billig.It's very cheap.This sentence demonstrates how to emphasize that something is very cheap using billig.Tatoeba #7523344 by Yorwba, translation #4397601 by CK
- Das Hotel bietet günstige Zimmerpreise an.The hotel offers affordable room rates.
- Die Firma verkauft billige Elektronikartikel.The company sells cheap electronic items.
- Das war ein echtes Schnäppchen!That was a real bargain!
- Das Restaurant bietet preiswerte Speisen an.The restaurant offers reasonably priced food.
- Das Geschäft bietet Möbel zu Schleuderpreisen an.The store sells furniture at throwaway prices.
- Der Flohmarkt hat wirklich tolle Schnapper angeboten.The flea market had some really great bargains.
- Die Kleidung im Ausverkauf ist sehr günstig.The clothing in the sale is very cheap.
- 159 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are shopping for clothes at a local market.
- LukasSchau mal, Hannah, diese Jacke ist total billig!Look, Hannah, this jacket is totally cheap!
- HannahJa, sie ist wirklich billig, aber die Qualität ist schlecht.Yes, it is really cheap, but the quality is bad.
- LukasFindest du nicht, dass sie trotzdem gut aussieht?Don't you think it looks good anyway?
- HannahVielleicht, aber ich möchte lieber etwas Besseres kaufen.Maybe, but I would rather buy something better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheap” translations and entries billig, preiswert, preisgünstig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries billig, preisgünstig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
