Wondering how to say cheap in Chinese? The word is 便宜 (pián yi), and you’ll use it every time you score a deal at the market, haggle at a tourist trap, or brag about your 5-yuan lunch.
After twelve years in Tianjin and an HSK5 certification under my belt, I’ve said 便宜 roughly ten thousand times. I said it when I found a 15-yuan winter hat that actually kept me warm. I said it when I discovered street dumplings cost 8 yuan for a full plate. And I definitely said it when I realized the same phone case selling for 200 yuan at the mall was 30 yuan on Taobao. This word isn’t just vocabulary; it’s a survival skill for anyone living in China.
If you’re learning money vocabulary or planning to do some shopping in China, knowing 便宜 will help you navigate every transaction. It pairs perfectly with asking prices and bargaining vocabulary for any conversation about spending.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- 便宜 (pián yi) is the most common and versatile word for “cheap” in Chinese.
- Use 便宜 to describe prices, quality, or even personality traits. It’s more flexible than English “cheap.”
- Bargaining is still alive and well in Chinese markets, and knowing this word is your first weapon.
How to Say Cheap in Chinese
Main Word: 便宜 (pián yi)
便宜 is your go-to word for “cheap” in Chinese. It covers everything from low prices to stingy behavior. Here’s the breakdown:
Chinese: 便宜
Pinyin: pián yi
Literal meaning: “convenient” + “benefit” – originally meant “easy to get,” which evolved into “inexpensive.”
When you want to say something is cheap, you simply use 便宜 as an adjective:
Chinese: 这个很便宜。
Pinyin: Zhè ge hěn pián yi.
English: This is very cheap.
Notice there’s no verb “to be” – Chinese skips it. Just put 很 (hěn, “very”) before 便宜 and you’re good.
Pronunciation Guide
便宜 looks tricky but breaks down cleanly:
- 便 (pián) – Rising second tone, starts mid-pitch and rises up. Sounds like “pyen” with a rising inflection.
- 宜 (yi) – Neutral tone, soft and light. Almost sounds like “yee” but shorter and quieter.
The full word flows as pián-yi with a slight pause between syllables. Practice it slowly: “pyen… yee.” Speed it up once comfortable.
A common learner mistake is using second tone on both syllables. Don’t do that – 宜 stays neutral.
Related Words and Synonyms
Chinese has several ways to express “cheap” depending on context:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 便宜 | pián yi | General “cheap” – prices, deals |
| 廉价 | lián jià | Cheap in quality (slightly negative) |
| 实惠 | shí huì | Good value, affordable (positive) |
| 划算 | huá suàn | Worth it, a good deal |
| 低价 | dī jià | Low price (formal/business) |
Pro tip: If you want to sound like a savvy shopper, say 划算 (huá suàn) instead of 便宜. It means “worth it” or “a good deal” – positive, smart, and local.
When discussing dining out in China, you’ll quickly notice the difference between a 便宜 street stall and an expensive sit-down restaurant.
Example Sentences
Here are practical sentences you’ll actually use in China:
Chinese: 这家餐厅很便宜。
Pinyin: Zhè jiā cān tīng hěn pián yi.
English: This restaurant is very cheap.
Chinese: 你能便宜一点吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ néng pián yi yì diǎn ma?
English: Can you make it a little cheaper? (classic bargaining line)
Chinese: 别买那个，太便宜了。
Pinyin: Bié mǎi nà ge, tài pián yi le.
English: Don’t buy that, it’s too cheap. (implying bad quality)
Chinese: 我在淘宝上找到了一个便宜的手机。
Pinyin: Wǒ zài Táo bǎo shàng zhǎo dào le yí ge pián yi de shǒu jī.
English: I found a cheap phone on Taobao.
If you’re taking a taxi in China or riding the train, knowing 便宜 helps you compare transport options and find the best deal.
Cultural Context: Bargaining in China
Here’s something nobody tells you in textbooks: in China, “cheap” isn’t just a price tag – it’s a social signal.
At outdoor markets, street vendors expect you to bargain. Walking up and paying sticker price makes you look naive. The dance goes like this: you ask the price, the vendor quotes high, you laugh and say “太贵了 (tài guì le – too expensive),” they counter, and you meet somewhere in the middle.
Saying 便宜 (pián yi) during bargaining isn’t rude – it’s expected. It’s the opening move in a friendly negotiation.
But here’s the catch: in modern China, chain stores, supermarkets, and restaurants have fixed prices. Trying to bargain at a 7-Eleven or a McDonald’s just makes you look confused. Know your venue.
When I bought a winter jacket at a Tianjin market, the vendor quoted 300 yuan. I said “太贵了，能不能便宜一点？” She laughed, dropped it to 180, and we shook hands at 150. That 150 yuan saved me the price of three waters – and the interaction was honestly the highlight of my afternoon.
Common Mistakes
- Mixing up tones: 便 is second tone (rising), not first. 宜 is neutral. Get this wrong and people might not understand you.
- Using 便宜 for people: Calling someone 便宜 means they’re easy – which can be an insult about their morals. Don’t do this unless you’re ready for trouble.
- Bargaining in the wrong places: Supermarkets, branded stores, and restaurants have fixed prices. Save your 便宜 for markets and street stalls.
- Forgetting 很 (hěn): In Chinese, adjectives often need 很 before them in statements. “This is cheap” = 这个很便宜, not just 这个便宜 (which sounds abrupt or incomplete).
Advanced ways for how to say cheap in Chinese sentences
Once you’ve got 便宜 down, level up with these expressions:
Chinese: 占便宜
Pinyin: zhàn pián yi
English: To take advantage of someone / to get a good deal at someone else’s expense
Chinese: 捡便宜
Pinyin: jiǎn pián yi
English: To pick up a bargain (literally “pick up cheap”)
Chinese: 便宜没好货
Pinyin: Pián yi méi hǎo huò
English: Cheap things aren’t good quality (common saying)
These phrases are gold in conversation. Use 捡便宜 when you score a deal, and quote 便宜没好货 when your friend buys a suspiciously cheap phone that dies in a week. For more Chinese idioms about value and price, Chinese Edge’s guide has excellent examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Cheap in Chinese
Is 便宜 formal or casual?
It’s neutral – you can use it in casual markets and semi-formal conversations. For business or writing, 低价 (dī jià) is more professional. Preply’s Chinese adjective guide explains when to use each term.
Can 便宜 mean “stingy”?
Indirectly, yes. Calling someone 便宜 can imply they’re morally “easy” or loose. For stingy about money, use 小气 (xiǎo qì) instead.
How do I bargain using 便宜?
The classic line is “能不能便宜一点？” (Can you make it a little cheaper?). Smile, be friendly, and don’t push too hard. YellowBridge’s dictionary entry shows more context for this usage.
What’s the difference between 便宜 and 实惠?
便宜 = cheap (can imply low quality). 实惠 = good value (positive). If you want to compliment a purchase, say 很实惠 instead of 很便宜.
Does 便宜 have other meanings?
Yes – in classical Chinese, 便宜 meant “convenient” or “suitable.” This meaning survives in phrases like 便宜行事 (biàn yí xíng shì), meaning “act as one sees fit.” SupChina’s article on 便宜 explores this historical usage in depth.
If you’re staying at a hotel in China or booking transport, 便宜 is essential for comparing options. Pair it with banking vocabulary and you’ll handle any financial conversation like a local.
