Bedeutung
Commenting on a high price.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In markets like Narantuul, the first price is a 'test'. Saying 'Хэтэрхий үнэтэй байна' is expected and starts the social contract of bargaining. Historically, value was tied to the utility of an item in the harsh steppe environment. Something 'too expensive' was something that didn't help one survive the winter. In the capital, fixed prices are becoming the norm in malls (like Shangri-La). Using this phrase there won't get you a discount, but it's still a common complaint among locals. When giving a gift, Mongolians often downplay the price to avoid making the recipient feel indebted. Never say your own gift was 'үнэтэй'.
The 'Arai' Trick
If you want to sound like a local, use 'Арай үнэтэй байна' (It's a bit expensive). It sounds less like a complaint and more like an observation.
Don't be aggressive
When bargaining, keep your tone light. Saying 'Хэтэрхий үнэтэй байна' with a smile is much more effective than saying it with a frown.
Bedeutung
Commenting on a high price.
The 'Arai' Trick
If you want to sound like a local, use 'Арай үнэтэй байна' (It's a bit expensive). It sounds less like a complaint and more like an observation.
Don't be aggressive
When bargaining, keep your tone light. Saying 'Хэтэрхий үнэтэй байна' with a smile is much more effective than saying it with a frown.
Check the Meter
In Ulaanbaatar taxis, if the driver doesn't turn on the meter and asks for a high price, use this phrase immediately.
Value vs Price
Remember that 'үнэтэй' can also mean 'precious'. Context is everything!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to say 'This is too expensive'.
Энэ ________ үнэтэй байна.
'Хэтэрхий' is the specific word for 'too' in the context of excess.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct Mongolian sentence:
Mongolian follows Adverb + Adjective + Verb order.
Complete the dialogue at the market.
Seller: Энэ гутал 200,000 төгрөг. Learner: Үгүй ээ, ________. 150,000-аар авъя.
You use this phrase to negotiate a lower price.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a shirt that costs $500.
This is the appropriate reaction to a high price.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Intensifiers
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenЭнэ ________ үнэтэй байна.
'Хэтэрхий' is the specific word for 'too' in the context of excess.
Choose the correct Mongolian sentence:
Mongolian follows Adverb + Adjective + Verb order.
Seller: Энэ гутал 200,000 төгрөг. Learner: Үгүй ээ, ________. 150,000-аар авъя.
You use this phrase to negotiate a lower price.
You see a shirt that costs $500.
This is the appropriate reaction to a high price.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIn a market, no, it's expected. In a high-end mall, it's a bit blunt but not strictly 'rude'.
'Үнэ' is the noun (price), 'үнэтэй' is the adjective (expensive/with price).
Yes, you can use it for 'precious' things like time or health, but 'хэтэрхий' usually implies a negative excess.
Follow up with 'Хямдруулж болох уу?' (Can you discount it?)
Yes, you can just say 'Үнэтэй байна' (It's expensive).
Yes, it always indicates that something has exceeded a limit.
Use 'Маш үнэтэй байна'.
It's better to be more formal, e.g., 'Энэ цалин арай бага байна' (This salary is a bit low).
Хэтэрхий үнэтэй биш байна.
Yes, but the pronunciation and some word choices might differ slightly.
Маш хямдхан байна (It is very cheap).
Yes! e.g., 'хэтэрхий халуун' (too hot), 'хэтэрхий жижиг' (too small).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Хямдхан байна
contrastIt is cheap.
Үнэгүй
similarFree / No price.
Арай үнэтэй
specialized formA bit expensive.
Үнэ нь хэд вэ?
builds onHow much is the price?
Хямдрал байгаа юу?
builds onIs there a sale/discount?
