Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Cheap" in Italian: economico/a
economico/a
Note: low quality: scadente
Cheap in Italian is economico (eh-koh-NOH-mee-koh) masculine and economica feminine when you mean a good low price. For low quality say scadente, not economico.
Choosing a restaurant
Questo posto è economico e buono.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce economico/a
Say it
eh-koh-NOH-mee-koh
/ekoˈnɔ.mi.ko/
Economico stresses NOH: eh-koh-NOH-mee-koh. Soft c before o.
"Cheap" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| economico / economica | cheap, inexpensive Price that is good value. | Price that is good value. |
| un hotel economico | a cheap hotel Travel talk. | Travel talk. |
| poco caro | not expensive Soft alternative. | Soft alternative. |
| scadente | cheap (poor quality) Quality, not price. | Quality, not price. |
How to use economico/a in real life
- 1Choosing a restaurant
Questo posto è economico e buono.
This place is cheap and good.
Economico for price.
- 2Shopping
Cerco una maglietta economica.
I'm looking for a cheap T-shirt.
Economica feminine.
- 3Travel planning
Il treno regionale è più economico.
The regional train is cheaper.
Comparative idea with più.
Mistakes English speakers make with economico/a
Incorrect: Il vino è cheap.
Correct: Il vino è economico.
Use economico, not English cheap.
Incorrect: Questa borsa è economica, quindi brutta.
Correct: Se intendi qualità scarsa, di' scadente; economico is about price.
Economico ≠ poor quality.
Good to know
Economico sounds practical, not stingy—students and travelers use it freely. Calling food scadente is a sharper insult than calling it economico.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking lunch near the station
ChatPal
Vuoi un posto economico vicino?
Want a cheap place nearby?
You
Sì, qualcosa di economico ma pulito.
Yes, something cheap but clean.
ChatPal
C'è un panino economico dietro l'angolo.
There's a cheap sandwich shop around the corner.
You
Perfetto, andiamo lì.
Perfect, let's go there.
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 Italian
Economico or a buon mercato?
Both work for low price; economico is very common.
Feminine form?
Economica.
How do I say poor quality?
Scadente—not economico.
Cheaper?
Più economico / più economica.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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