tani
/ˈta.ɲi/
The English word "cheap" is translated into Polish as tani. Wiktionary also lists niedrogi.
Meaning: low and/or reduced in price (adj)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tani | /ˈta.ɲi/ |
| niedrogi | /ɲɛˈdrɔ.ɡi/ |
Both tani and niedrogi are used to describe something that is low and/or reduced in price.
Which one should you use?
niedrogi is a more formal and polite term, acting as the equivalent of the English word "inexpensive", compared to tani.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree with the gender of the noun it describes. Use the masculine form tani for masculine singular nouns like chleb (bread), the feminine form tania for feminine nouns like kawa (coffee) and the neuter or plural form tanie for neuter singular nouns like piwo (beer) or for any plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈta.ɲi/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- The word tani descends from the Proto-Slavic word *tuňь, which is a linguistic relative of other Slavic words for 'thin' or 'slender'.
- In Polish, the word drogi serves as a homonym meaning both 'expensive' and 'dear' or 'precious'.
- While tani describes a low price, it can also describe a person as 'cheap' or 'low-quality' in a derogatory way, similar to English. Using tani to describe a person's character might offend them, whereas niedrogi is strictly limited to prices.
Examples in context
- To nie będzie tanie.It's not going to be cheap.This sentence shows the use of tani in a negative future context.Tatoeba #3867596 by jeedrek, translation #3377172 by CK
- Ryby są dzisiaj tanie.Fish is cheap today.This sentence uses tani to describe the price of fish.Tatoeba #560515 by Bilberry, translation #242830 by CK
- Wydawało się to tanie.It seemed to be cheap.This sentence uses tani to describe how something appeared.Tatoeba #10634758 by tokzyk, translation #28501 by CM
- Mam nadzieję, że ten sklep ma tanią elektronikę.I hope this store has cheap electronics.
- Jesteśmy zainteresowani kupnem niedrogich mebli do biura.We're interested in buying cheap office furniture.
- Podobno to miejsce sprzedaje dobre jedzenie tanio.Apparently, this place sells good food cheaply.
- W tej części kraju, można znaleźć wygodne ubrania taniej.In this part of the country, you can find comfortable clothes cheaper.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Małgorzata are discussing their grocery shopping budget.
- PiotrCzy te jabłka są tanie?Are these apples cheap?
- MałgorzataTak, Piotr, są dzisiaj bardzo tanie.Yes, Piotr, they are very cheap today.
- PiotrTo świetnie, kup zatem kilka kilogramów.That's great, buy a few kilograms then.
- MałgorzataOczywiście, kupię je dla nas.Of course, I will buy them for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheap” translations and entries tani, niedrogi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries niedrogi, tani, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
