Inklingo

How to Say "cheap" in Spanish

English → Spanish

barato

bah-RAH-toh/baˈɾato/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'barato' when you are referring to the low price of an item or service.
A single, bright red apple resting on a wooden counter next to a very small stack of coins, indicating a low price.

Examples

Esta computadora es muy barata, solo cuesta 300 euros.

This computer is very cheap; it only costs 300 euros.

Compramos entradas baratas para el concierto de última hora.

We bought cheap, last-minute tickets for the concert.

Encontré una blusa barata en esa tienda.

I found an inexpensive blouse in that store.

Changing Forms

As an adjective, 'barato' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'barato' (masculine singular), 'barata' (feminine singular), 'baratos' (masculine plural), and 'baratas' (feminine plural).

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “La casa es barato.”

Correction: La casa es barata. (Since 'casa' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)

apretado

ah-preh-TAH-doh/a.pɾe.ˈta.ðo/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'apretado' to describe a person who is unwilling to spend or share money, essentially meaning 'stingy' or 'tight-fisted'.
A person holding a single coin very tightly in their closed fist, unwilling to let go.

Examples

No seas apretado, deja una buena propina.

Don't be stingy, leave a good tip.

codo

/KOH-doh//ˈkoðo/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'codo' to describe someone who is extremely unwilling to pay for things, emphasizing their stinginess.
A person tightly clutching a small bag of coins to their chest.

Examples

No quiso dejar propina, ¡es bien codo!

He didn't want to leave a tip, he's so stingy!

Ella nunca invita a nada porque es una coda.

She never treats anyone to anything because she is cheap.

Gender change

Unlike the body part, when 'codo' is an adjective, it changes to 'coda' if you are describing a woman.

bajos

/BAH-hos//ˈbaxos/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'bajos' specifically when referring to low prices, though 'baratos' is much more common for this meaning.
A colorful illustration of a very short wooden fence standing just above the green grass, representing low height.

Examples

Los precios eran muy bajos.

The prices were very low.

Los estantes eran muy bajos y no cabía la caja.

The shelves were very low and the box didn't fit.

Los precios de la gasolina están bajos esta semana.

Gasoline prices are low this week.

Hablaban en tonos bajos para que nadie los escuchara.

They were speaking in quiet tones so no one would hear them.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'bajos' ends in '-os,' it only describes masculine, plural nouns (like 'precios' or 'niveles'). If you were describing feminine, plural things (like 'casas'), you would use 'bajas'.

Confusing Height and Length

Mistake: “Usar 'bajos' para describir la longitud de una cuerda.”

Correction: Use 'cortos' (short/brief) for horizontal length or time, and 'bajos' for vertical height or level.

Price vs. Person

The most common mistake is using 'apretado' or 'codo' for low prices. Remember, 'barato' is for the cost of items, while 'apretado' and 'codo' describe a person's stingy personality.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.