便宜
pián yi HSK 2

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

这本书很便宜。
Zhè běn shū hěn piányi.
This book is very cheap.
我买便宜衣服。
Wǒ mǎi piányi yīfu.
I buy cheap clothes.
苹果便宜吗?
Píngguǒ piányi ma?
Are apples cheap?
这件衬衫很便宜。
Zhè jiàn chènshān hěn piányi.
This shirt is very cheap.
市场卖便宜的水果。
Shìchǎng mài piányi de shuǐguǒ.
The market sells cheap fruit.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 便 as 'convenient' and 宜 as 'suitable'—something conveniently suitable for your budget is cheap! Alternatively, link it to the English word 'penny' (sounds like 'pian') for a low cost.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese across formal and informal contexts. It is commonly applied when discussing prices, shopping, transportation, or comparing costs. As a verb (e.g., 便宜你了 - 'I'll let you off easy'), it is more informal and context-dependent.

📖 Grammar Points

As an adjective, it can be modified by degree adverbs like 很, 非常, or 太. It often appears in comparative structures, e.g., A 比 B 便宜 (A is cheaper than B). In verb usage, it follows a subject, e.g., 我便宜你了.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese consumer culture, finding 便宜 items is often praised as smart shopping. The phrase 占便宜 (zhàn piányi) means 'to gain an advantage' or 'to get a good deal,' but can imply taking unfair advantage in some contexts, so usage depends on tone.

🔄 Similar Words

廉价 (liánjià) also means 'cheap' but often carries a slightly negative connotation of low quality, whereas 便宜 is more neutral and everyday. 经济 (jīngjì) means 'economical' and focuses on good value rather than just low price.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 便宜 in CILI →

Related Words