French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Cheap" in French: pas cher / bon marché
pas cher / bon marché
Cheap in French is often pas cher (not expensive) or bon marché. C'est pas cher is everyday praise for a low price. Bon marché can sound a bit more formal or old-fashioned, but still clear.
Market stall
Ces tomates sont vraiment pas chères.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pas cher / bon marché
Say it
pah SHEHR / bohn mar-SHAY
/pa ʃɛʁ/ /bɔ̃ maʁ.ʃe/
Pas cher: pah SHEHR. Bon marché: bohn mar-SHAY. The é in marché is like ay.
"Cheap" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| pas cher | cheap / not expensive Most common in speech. | Most common in speech. |
| bon marché | inexpensive / good value Slightly more formal feel. | Slightly more formal feel. |
| trop bon marché | too cheap Suspicious quality. | Suspicious quality. |
| moins cher | cheaper Comparisons. | Comparisons. |
How to use pas cher / bon marché in real life
- 1Market stall
Ces tomates sont vraiment pas chères.
These tomatoes are really cheap.
Pas cher agrees: pas chères.
- 2Hotel booking
On a trouvé un hôtel bon marché près du port.
We found a cheap hotel near the harbor.
Bon marché after the noun.
- 3Clothes shopping
Ce pull est moins cher en ligne.
This sweater is cheaper online.
Moins cher for comparison.
Mistakes English speakers make with pas cher / bon marché
Incorrect: C'est cheap.
Correct: C'est pas cher. / C'est bon marché.
Use French pas cher or bon marché, not English cheap.
Incorrect: Une robe bon marchée.
Correct: Une robe bon marché.
Bon marché does not take an extra e.
Good to know
Shoppers say c'est donné for a steal. Pas cher is friendlier praise; trop bon marché can hint the quality looks dodgy.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Comparing prices
ChatPal
Ce café est pas cher, non ?
This coffee is cheap, right?
You
Oui, vraiment pas cher pour le centre.
Yes, really cheap for downtown.
ChatPal
On en prend deux alors.
Let's take two then.
You
Parfait, je paie.
Perfect, I'll pay.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cheap" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cheap" in French
How do you say cheap in French?
Pas cher, or bon marché.
Which is more common?
Pas cher in everyday speech.
How do you say cheaper?
Moins cher.
Does bon marché change with gender?
No — bon marché stays the same.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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