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便宜 (pián yi) — cheap, inexpensive

Definition

Everyday word for 'cheap, inexpensive' — describes a low price on goods, food, or services. 廉价 is more formal and used for low-cost production; 贱 can mean cheap but also 'despicable' and sounds harsh.

adjective
cheapinexpensive

Examples

  • 便宜。
    Zhè ge píng guǒ hěn pián yi.
    This apple is very cheap.
  • 。
    Nà jiàn yī fu bú pián yi.
    That piece of clothing isn't cheap.
  • 便宜。
    Zhè lǐ de shuǐ hěn pián yi.
    The water here is cheap.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

便biànconvenient
宜yísuitable

便 and 宜 both mean convenient or suitable; together they came to describe low cost.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

便 pairs 亻 (person) with 更 (to change), showing a person changing posture to become comfortable.

Open 便 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

宜 shows 且, a sacrificial altar, with 多, two pieces of meat, depicting two pieces of meat placed on the altar.

Open 宜 →
Appears in
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