Explanation at your level:
A discount means you pay less money. If a shirt is 10 dollars but you pay 8 dollars, you have a discount. It is good for saving money!
When you see a discount, the price is lower than the normal price. Many shops offer a discount to help people buy more things. You can ask, 'Is there a discount for students?'
A discount is a reduction in price. It is a common strategy for stores to attract customers. You might see a 50% discount during a big sale. It is always helpful to look for a discount before you buy expensive items.
The term discount refers to a decrease in the standard price of goods or services. It is often used as a marketing incentive to drive sales. In a professional context, you might negotiate a bulk discount when purchasing supplies for a company. It is a versatile word that appears in both retail and financial sectors.
Beyond simple retail, discount can also imply a psychological or strategic devaluation. To 'discount' an opinion means to disregard it or treat it as unimportant. This figurative usage demonstrates the word's versatility, moving from the concrete world of currency to the abstract world of ideas and social interaction.
Etymologically, the concept of the discount reflects the historical shift from mercantile accounting to modern consumerism. In advanced discourse, one might discuss the 'discounting' of future earnings in economic theory, showing how the word functions as a cornerstone of financial modeling. Its usage spans from the mundane act of coupon-clipping to the complex calculations of macroeconomics, illustrating the breadth of English vocabulary.
30초 단어
- A discount is a price reduction.
- It is used in retail and business.
- It is a countable noun.
- It can also be a verb meaning to disregard.
Think of a discount as a little gift to your wallet! It is essentially a price drop that makes an item more affordable. When you see a sign that says '20% off,' that is a discount in action.
You will encounter this word everywhere, from grocery stores to online shopping carts. It is a win-win situation: you get to save money, and the shop owner moves their products faster. It is one of the most useful words in the English language for anyone who loves a good deal.
The word discount has a fascinating journey through time. It comes from the Old Italian word discontare, which literally means 'to count off' or 'to deduct.' It eventually traveled through Middle French before landing in English during the 16th century.
Originally, it was used mostly in banking and financial circles to describe the deduction of interest when a loan was paid early. Over the centuries, the meaning expanded from strictly financial transactions to the retail world we know today. It is a perfect example of how language evolves from specific technical jargon into everyday vocabulary.
In daily life, we often pair discount with verbs like 'get,' 'offer,' or 'receive.' You might say, 'I got a discount on these shoes.' In formal business settings, you might hear phrases like 'a trade discount' or 'a bulk discount.'
Remember that it is a countable noun. You can have 'a discount' or 'many discounts.' Using it correctly helps you sound like a savvy shopper or a professional negotiator. It is a very neutral term, fitting perfectly in both casual chats with friends and professional emails.
While 'discount' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is closely related to phrases about value. 1. At a discount: Meaning at a lower price than usual. 2. Deep discount: A very large reduction in price. 3. Discount the possibility: To decide that something is unlikely to happen. 4. Give a discount: To lower the price for someone. 5. Student discount: A special price reduction for people in school.
As a noun, discount is stressed on the first syllable: DIS-count. If you use it as a verb, the stress shifts to the second: dis-COUNT. It is a classic English stress-shift pattern!
The plural is simply 'discounts.' When using it in a sentence, we usually use the indefinite article 'a' or 'an' before it, like 'I received a discount.' It rhymes with 'account' and 'amount,' making it easy to remember in a list of financial terms.
Fun Fact
It was originally a banking term for interest deductions.
Pronunciation Guide
Stress on the first syllable.
Clear 's' and 'k' sounds.
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- mispronouncing the 's'
- swallowing the 't'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Commonly used
Very useful
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Articles (a/an)
a discount
Stress Shift
DIS-count (n) vs dis-COUNT (v)
Countable Nouns
one discount, two discounts
Examples by Level
The shirt has a discount.
shirt = clothing, discount = less money
Use 'a' with singular countable nouns.
I want a discount.
I want = I would like
Common request pattern.
Is there a discount?
Is there = question format
Standard question structure.
The discount is big.
big = large amount
Adjective + noun.
He likes the discount.
likes = enjoys
Subject-verb-object.
We see a discount.
see = look at
Simple present.
This is a discount.
This = the price reduction
Demonstrative pronoun.
Get a discount now.
Get = receive
Imperative mood.
The store offers a 10% discount.
I used a coupon for a discount.
Students get a special discount.
The discount ends today.
She found a big discount online.
Is the discount for everyone?
We love a good discount.
The price includes a discount.
They offered us a generous discount.
You can apply the discount at checkout.
The discount applies to all items.
I am looking for a discount code.
The shop gave a discount for cash payments.
Don't miss the seasonal discount.
Is there a discount for bulk orders?
The discount makes it very affordable.
The company provided a significant discount to loyal customers.
We negotiated a discount on the annual subscription.
The discount is valid until the end of the month.
She was able to secure a discount through her membership.
The retail sector relies heavily on discount strategies.
The discount was automatically applied to my cart.
I had to ask for a discount to stay within budget.
The discount period has now expired.
The manager was willing to discount the price for a quick sale.
We must not discount the possibility of a market correction.
The discount rate is a critical factor in the valuation.
His opinion was largely discounted by the committee.
The store's discount policy is quite transparent.
They offered a discount in exchange for a long-term contract.
The discount was negligible compared to the total cost.
The analyst discounted the rumors of a merger.
The economic model accounts for the discounting of future cash flows.
One should not discount the influence of cultural factors in this decision.
The merchant offered a discount to expedite the transaction.
His reputation was discounted by the scandal.
The discount was a mere pittance in the grand scheme.
They applied a deep discount to liquidate the assets.
The theory was discounted by the scientific community.
The discount structure is designed to incentivize repeat business.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"at a discount"
at a lower price
I bought it at a discount.
neutral"discount the idea"
ignore or dismiss an idea
Don't discount the idea too quickly.
neutral"deep discount"
a very large price drop
They are offering a deep discount.
business"trade discount"
reduction for businesses
We qualify for a trade discount.
formal"cash discount"
cheaper if you pay with cash
They offer a small cash discount.
business"give a discount"
to lower the price
Can you give me a discount?
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean taking money away.
Deduction is usually for tax/salary; discount is for retail.
Tax deduction vs. store discount.
Both involve money back.
Refund is money back after a return; discount is money saved at purchase.
I got a refund for the broken item.
Both lower the cost.
Rebate is money returned after the purchase.
Mail-in rebate.
Both mean lower price.
Markdown is a store-initiated price drop.
The items are on markdown.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + get + a + discount
I got a discount.
Subject + offer + a + discount
They offer a discount.
Subject + ask + for + a + discount
He asked for a discount.
Subject + qualify + for + a + discount
We qualify for a discount.
Subject + discount + the + idea
They discounted the idea.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Adjective phrase structure.
Redundant 'down'.
Discount is usually the noun itself.
Preposition usage.
Discount as a verb is more formal/specific.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant 'DIS' sign over a counter.
Native Speakers
We say 'Did you get a discount?'
Cultural Insight
Sales are huge in the US.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'a' before discount.
Say It Right
Stress the first part.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'discount price'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Italian.
Study Smart
Use it in a real sentence today.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
DIS (distance) + COUNT (numbers) = Count the distance away from the original price.
Visual Association
A price tag with a big red line through the original price.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to find three items with a discount this week.
어원
Italian/French
Original meaning: to count off/deduct
문화적 맥락
None, but asking for a discount in high-end stores can be seen as rude.
Discounts are a huge part of American retail culture (e.g., Black Friday).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- Is there a discount?
- Do you have a discount code?
- I got a great discount.
Business
- Bulk discount
- Trade discount
- Apply a discount
Finance
- Discount rate
- Cash discount
- Discounted cash flow
Education
- Student discount
- Faculty discount
- Group discount
Conversation Starters
"Do you always look for a discount when shopping?"
"What is the best discount you have ever received?"
"Do you think student discounts are fair?"
"Have you ever asked a store for a discount?"
"What do you think of 'discount' stores?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you found a great discount.
Do you think discounts encourage people to buy things they don't need?
Describe a store that you think offers the best discounts.
How does a discount make you feel as a consumer?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Yes, it can be a verb meaning to disregard or lower a price.
DIS-count for the noun.
Yes, it is perfectly professional.
Discounts.
Yes, like reduction or markdown.
Yes, especially regarding interest rates.
Politely ask: 'Is there a discount available?'
Usually, but it can mean to ignore an idea.
셀프 테스트
I want a ____ on this shirt.
Discount fits the context of saving money.
What does a discount mean?
Discount means paying less.
A discount is always 50%.
Discounts can be any percentage.
Word
뜻
Matching synonyms and opposites.
Subject-verb-object order.
점수: /5
Summary
A discount is simply paying less than the original price to save money.
- A discount is a price reduction.
- It is used in retail and business.
- It is a countable noun.
- It can also be a verb meaning to disregard.
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant 'DIS' sign over a counter.
Native Speakers
We say 'Did you get a discount?'
Cultural Insight
Sales are huge in the US.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'a' before discount.
예시
They're offering a 20% discount on all items.
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