便宜 (piányí)

An adjective meaning "cheap" or "inexpensive." It describes a price that is low or affordable. Note: in this meaning, 便 is read as pián, not biàn. Its antonym is 贵 (guì), meaning "expensive."

Meanings

[adjective] Cheap, inexpensive, affordable (in price).

Example Sentences

这家店的东西很便宜。 Zhè jiā diàn de dōngxi hěn piányí. The things in this shop are very cheap.

这条裤子比那条便宜多了。 Zhè tiáo kùzi bǐ nà tiáo piányí duō le. These pants are much cheaper than those.

能便宜一点吗？ Néng piányí yīdiǎn ma? Can you make it a little cheaper?

在市场上买东西比超市便宜。 Zài shìchǎng shàng mǎi dōngxi bǐ chāoshì piányí. Buying things at the market is cheaper than at the supermarket.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
很便宜	very cheap
便宜一点	a little cheaper
价格便宜	the price is cheap
又便宜又好	cheap and good quality
贵贱便宜	expensive or cheap
便宜货	cheap goods, bargain

Memory Hook

Antonym of 贵 (guì, expensive). The word 便宜 has an unusual reading (pián instead of biàn) — remember it as "piano easy": a piano that's easy to afford is a bargain.