When you travel to Vietnam or engage with Vietnamese speakers, it’s helpful to know how to express the concept of “cheap” in the Vietnamese language. Learning this word will enable you to bargain, discuss prices, or simply understand when someone mentions affordability. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “cheap” in Vietnamese. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways of Saying “Cheap” in Vietnamese
If you are in a formal setting or speaking to someone you don’t know well, using formal terms for “cheap” is appropriate. Here are some phrases you can use:
1. Rẻ (pronounced: ray)
“Rẻ” is the most straightforward and commonly used word to describe something as “cheap” in Vietnamese. It can be applied to various situations. For instance:
- Food Example: Món này rẻ (This food is cheap)
- Product Example: Quyển sách này rẻ (This book is cheap)
- Service Example: Vé xe bus rẻ (The bus ticket is cheap)
2. Bình dân (pronounced: binh dan)
In more formal contexts, you can also use the phrase “bình dân” to convey the meaning of “cheap.” It implies affordability while maintaining the formality. Here’s an example:
Văn phòng này cho thuê một không gian rộng với một giá bình dân. (This office provides a spacious area at an affordable price.)
3. Giá phải chăng (pronounced: gia phai chang)
Another formal way of expressing “cheap” is “giá phải chăng.” This phrase emphasizes the notion of a reasonable price. Let’s see it in action:
Nhà hàng này phục vụ các món ngon với giá phải chăng. (This restaurant serves delicious dishes at a reasonable price.)
2. Informal Ways of Saying “Cheap” in Vietnamese
When speaking to friends, family, or in casual situations, you can utilize more colloquial terms to express “cheap.” Here are some informal options:
1. Rẻ như cho (pronounced: ray nhoo chaw)
This phrase captures the meaning of “cheap as if it’s free.” It signifies an exceptionally low price. For instance:
- Item Example: Loại quần này rẻ như cho (These pants are dirt cheap)
- Service Example: Tiệm cắt tóc này giá rẻ như cho (This hair salon is cheap as chips)
2. Rẻ như nước cất (pronounced: ray nhoo noo-uhc kat)
Another informal term for “cheap” in Vietnamese is “rẻ như nước cất,” which translates to “cheap as distilled water.” This phrase implies affordability and often comes with a sense of humor. Let’s look at an example:
- Product Example: Cái ghế này rẻ như nước cất (This chair is cheap as distilled water)
Conclusion
Now that you have learned both formal and informal ways of saying “cheap” in Vietnamese, you are well-equipped to communicate with locals, negotiate prices, or simply understand when someone mentions affordability. Remember that whether you use a formal or informal term depends on the context and your relationship with the person you are speaking to.
Practice these phrases, and you’ll gain confidence in expressing the concept of “cheap” in Vietnamese in no time!
