económico
“económico” means “cheap” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
cheap, affordable
Also: economical
📝 In Action
He comprado un coche muy económico.
A1I bought a very affordable car.
Este menú del día es bastante económico.
A2This daily menu is quite cheap.
Buscamos una solución más económica para el viaje.
B1We are looking for a more economical solution for the trip.
economic, financial
📝 In Action
El país atraviesa una crisis económica.
B1The country is going through an economic crisis.
El crecimiento económico ha sido lento este año.
B2Economic growth has been slow this year.
Necesitamos un nuevo modelo económico.
C1We need a new economic model.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: económico
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most polite way to say a restaurant is cheap?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Greek word 'oikonomikos,' which combined 'oikos' (house) and 'nomos' (law/management). It literally meant 'the art of managing a household.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'económico' always mean 'cheap'?
Not always. It can mean 'cheap' (affordable) or it can simply mean 'relating to the economy'. The context tells you which one it is!
Is there a difference between 'barato' and 'económico'?
Yes. 'Barato' can sometimes imply that something is low quality or 'cheaply made'. 'Económico' is more neutral and often implies 'good value for money'.
Where does the accent go?
The accent is always on the second 'o': e-co-NÓ-mi-co. This is because the stress is on the third-to-last syllable.