Inklingo

How to Say "cheap" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cheap” is “barato” — use this word when referring to an item or service that has a low price or cost.

barato🔊A1

Use this word when referring to an item or service that has a low price or cost.

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económicoA1

Use this word when describing something as affordable or having a low cost, often implying good value.

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tacañoA2

Use this informal adjective to describe a person who is habitually unwilling to spend or give money; stingy.

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agarrado🔊B1

Use this adjective to describe someone who is miserly or extremely reluctant to spend money.

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apretado🔊B2

Use this adjective when someone is being ungenerous or unwilling to share, especially in a specific situation like tipping.

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codo🔊B2

Use this informal adjective to describe someone who is very stingy and refuses to pay for things.

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bajos🔊A1

Use this adjective specifically when describing physical height, such as low shelves, and not for price.

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English → Spanish

barato

bah-RAH-tohbaˈɾato

adjectiveA1general
Use this word when referring to an item or service that has a low price or cost.
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.)

económico

adjectiveA1general
Use this word when describing something as affordable or having a low cost, often implying good value.

Examples

He comprado un coche muy económico.

I bought a very affordable car.

tacaño

adjectiveA2informal
Use this informal adjective to describe a person who is habitually unwilling to spend or give money; stingy.

Examples

Mi tío es muy tacaño y nunca deja propina.

My uncle is very stingy and never leaves a tip.

agarrado

ah-gah-rah-doha.ɣa.ˈra.ðo

adjectiveB1general
Use this adjective to describe someone who is miserly or extremely reluctant to spend money.
A character holding a single coin very tightly to their chest with both hands.

Examples

No esperes que te invite, es un poco agarrado.

Don't expect him to treat you; he's a bit stingy.

Mi jefe es tan agarrado que nunca compra café para la oficina.

My boss is so cheap that he never buys coffee for the office.

Aunque tiene mucho dinero, siempre ha sido una persona muy agarrada.

Even though she has a lot of money, she has always been a very tight-fisted person.

Use with 'Ser'

When talking about someone being stingy as a personality trait, always use the verb 'ser' (to be).

Noun usage

You can use this word as a noun. Instead of saying 'He is stingy,' you can say 'He is a stingy one' (Es un agarrado).

Confusing 'Estar' and 'Ser'

Mistake: “Él está agarrado.”

Correction: Él es agarrado.

apretado

ah-preh-TAH-doha.pɾe.ˈta.ðo

adjectiveB2informal
Use this adjective when someone is being ungenerous or unwilling to share, especially in a specific situation like tipping.
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-dohˈkoðo

adjectiveB2informal
Use this informal adjective to describe someone who is very stingy and refuses to pay for things.
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-hosˈbaxos

adjectiveA1general
Use this adjective specifically when describing physical height, such as low shelves, and not for price.
A colorful illustration of a very short wooden fence standing just above the green grass, representing low height.

Examples

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. Personality

The most common mistake is using words for stingy people (like tacaño or agarrado) when you mean a low price. Always use 'barato' or 'económico' for low prices, and reserve the others for describing someone's character.

Related Translations

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