Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions

"Cheap" in Spanish: barato/a

barato/a

Say it: bah-RAH-toh / bah-RAH-tahadjective/ba.ˈɾa.to/, /ba.ˈɾa.ta/

Cheap in Spanish is barato or barata. Un hotel barato. Una comida barata. Plurals: baratos and baratas. Más barato means cheaper.

Hostel hunt

Este hostal es barato y limpio.
This hostel is cheap and clean.
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How to pronounce barato/a

Say it

bah-RAH-toh / bah-RAH-tah

/ba.ˈɾa.to/, /ba.ˈɾa.ta/

bah-RAH-toh / bah-RAH-tah. Stress RAH. Soft b; clear t.

"Cheap" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
baratocheap (masc.)

Low price.

baratacheap (fem.)

Feminine form.

más barato/acheaper

Comparison.

está baratoit's cheap (price now)

Common shopping line.

How to use barato/a in real life

  1. 1Hostel hunt

    Este hostal es barato y limpio.

    This hostel is cheap and clean.

    Barato with hostal.

  2. 2Market fruit

    Las manzanas están baratas hoy.

    The apples are cheap today.

    Baratas plural feminine.

  3. 3Comparing

    Este café es más barato.

    This coffee is cheaper.

    Más barato for comparison.

Mistakes English speakers make with barato/a

Incorrect: La comida es barato.

Correct: La comida es barata.

Agree gender: barata with comida.

Incorrect: El boleto es barata.

Correct: El boleto es barato.

Agree gender: barato with boleto.

Good to know

Barato/a is the everyday Latin American word for low price. It usually means a good deal, not low quality. For bargain hunting, people also say oferta or rebaja.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Picking a lunch spot

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Quieres algo barato cerca del parque?

    Do you want something cheap near the park?

  2. You

    Sí. Busco un lugar barato y bueno.

    Yes. I'm looking for a place that is cheap and good.

  3. ChatPal

    Hay tacos baratos en esa esquina.

    There are cheap tacos on that corner.

  4. You

    Vamos. Tengo poca plata hoy.

    Let's go. I have little cash today.

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"Cheap" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Cheap" in Spanish

How does gender work?

Barato (m.), barata (f.), plurals baratos / baratas.

Does barato mean low quality?

Usually it means low price. Tone and context decide quality talk.

How do I say cheaper?

Más barato / más barata.

Ser or estar?

Both appear. Está barato often marks a good price now.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

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  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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