German · Emotions & Descriptions
"Cheap" in German: billig
billig
Note: also: günstig
Cheap in German is billig. Say Das ist billig for a low price. Günstig is a softer alternative when you mean a good deal rather than low quality.
Market stall
Die Äpfel sind heute richtig billig.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce billig
Say it
BIL-likh
/ˈbɪlɪç/
BIL-likh. Short i. Soft ig like ikh.
"Cheap" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| billig | cheap Low price; can imply low quality. | Low price; can imply low quality. |
| zu billig | too cheap Suspicious bargain. | Suspicious bargain. |
| billiger | cheaper Comparative. | Comparative. |
| günstig | inexpensive / a good deal Often sounds nicer than billig. | Often sounds nicer than billig. |
How to use billig in real life
- 1Market stall
Die Äpfel sind heute richtig billig.
The apples are really cheap today.
Billig for price.
- 2Comparing tickets
Der Nachtzug ist billiger als das Flugzeug.
The night train is cheaper than the plane.
Billiger = cheaper.
- 3Doubtful deal
Das Angebot wirkt mir zu billig.
That offer seems too cheap to me.
Zu billig can mean suspiciously cheap.
Mistakes English speakers make with billig
Incorrect: Das ist cheap.
Correct: Das ist billig.
Use billig, not English cheap.
Incorrect: billige (as adverb alone)
Correct: billig
Predicate form is billig: Das ist billig.
Good to know
Billig can sound a bit dismissive about quality. In shops, günstig or preiswert often feels more positive when you mean affordable.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a hostel
ChatPal
Dieses Zimmer ist billig, aber laut.
This room is cheap, but noisy.
You
Mir ist billig okay, wenn es sauber ist.
Cheap is fine for me if it's clean.
ChatPal
Dann nehmen wir das. Noch billiger finden wir nichts.
Then we'll take it. We won't find anything cheaper.
You
Gut. Billig und zentral reicht mir.
Good. Cheap and central is enough for me.
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 German
How do you say cheap?
Billig.
Cheaper?
Billiger.
Billig vs günstig?
Both mean low price; günstig often sounds more positive.
Too cheap?
Zu billig.
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
