rẻ
[zɛ˧˩]
The English word 'cheap' can be translated into Vietnamese as rẻ.
rẻ is the standard term used to describe something that is low and/or reduced in price.
Meaning: low and/or reduced in price (adj)
Which one should you use?
While rẻ refers to a low price and can be used positively to mean 'inexpensive' or 'good value', the term rẻ tiền carries a negative connotation, often implying that something is low quality or tacky.
How does it change in a sentence?
To add emphasis in casual conversation, you can add quá after the word to say 'very cheap' or 'too cheap', resulting in rẻ quá.
When do people say it?
The proverb Của rẻ là của ôi is a common Vietnamese saying used to warn that products with extremely low prices are often of poor quality.
Did you know?
- The word rẻ is often paired with bèo to create rẻ như bèo, which literally means 'cheap as duckweed'. This is the Vietnamese equivalent of saying something is 'dirt cheap'.
- In some Vietnamese contexts, calling a person rẻ is a severe insult, suggesting they lack dignity or are 'cheap' in character.
- When bargaining, a buyer might say đắt quá ('too expensive') to prompt the seller to offer a rẻ price, as calling a price 'cheap' too early can signal to the vendor that they can actually raise the price.
Examples in context
- Xe máy rất rẻ.Motorcycles are very cheap.This sentence shows how to say motorcycles are cheap using rẻ.Tatoeba #13897552 by leucammieuvu, translation #65131 by CK
- Cái này rất rẻ.This is very cheap.This sentence demonstrates how to say something is very cheap using rẻ.Tatoeba #9722323 by dotheduyet1999, translation #3825782 by CK
- Của rẻ là của ôi.Buy cheap and waste your money.This sentence provides the proverb regarding cheap goods using rẻ.Tatoeba #8994387 by dotheduyet1999, translation #28473 by CM
- Món này rẻThis food is cheap
- Quyển sách này rẻThis book is cheap
- Vé xe bus rẻThe bus ticket is cheap
- Văn phòng này cho thuê một không gian rộng với một giá bình dân.This office provides a spacious area at an affordable price.
- Nhà hàng này phục vụ các món ngon với giá phải chăng.This restaurant serves delicious dishes at a reasonable price.
- Loại quần này rẻ như choThese pants are dirt cheap
- Tiệm cắt tóc này giá rẻ như choThis hair salon is cheap as chips
- Cái ghế này rẻ như nước cấtThis chair is cheap as distilled water
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương and Nam are shopping at a local market.
- Hương HuongNam ơi, cái túi này rẻ không?Nam, is this bag cheap?
- NamNó rất rẻ, Hương ạ.It is very cheap, Huong.
- Hương HuongVậy mình mua nó nhé?So should we buy it?
- NamĐược, mua đi.Okay, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheap” translations and entries rẻ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
