Barato/a 30초 만에
- Barato means cheap or inexpensive in Portuguese.
- It changes to barata, baratos, or baratas depending on the noun.
- In Brazil, it can mean 'cool' or 'a trip' (slang).
- The opposite of barato is caro (expensive).
The word barato (and its feminine form barata) is a fundamental adjective in the Portuguese language, primarily used to describe something that has a low price or is inexpensive. At its core, it represents the concept of affordability and financial accessibility. However, its linguistic footprint extends far beyond simple commerce. In the Lusophone world, 'barato' acts as a barometer for value, quality, and even emotional states.
- Literal Meaning
- The most common usage refers to the monetary cost of an item being below the average market price or simply costing very little. It is the direct antonym of 'caro' (expensive).
- Colloquial Usage (Brazil)
- In Brazilian Portuguese, 'barato' can also function as a noun or an adjective meaning 'cool', 'trippy', or 'a great experience'. For example, 'Que barato!' can mean 'How cool!' or 'What a trip!'.
- Metaphorical Value
- It often implies a lack of quality if used disparagingly, leading to the famous proverb 'O barato sai caro' (The cheap thing ends up being expensive).
"Eu comprei uma camiseta muito barata na feira ontem."
"Aquele filme é o maior barato!"
"Viajar de ônibus é mais barato do que de avião."
"Frutas da estação costumam ser mais baratas."
"Não compre isso só porque é barato."
- Historical Context
- The word derives from the verb 'baratar', which historically meant to exchange, barter, or even to deceive in a trade. Over centuries, the meaning narrowed to the result of a good trade—a low price.
Using 'barato' correctly requires an understanding of both its grammatical function as an adjective and its adverbial nuances. In most cases, it follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for adjectives in Portuguese when they provide objective information about a noun.
1. Adjectival Agreement
This is the most critical rule for beginners. The word changes based on the gender and quantity of the object:
- Masculine Singular: O sapato é barato. (The shoe is cheap.)
- Feminine Singular: A blusa é barata. (The blouse is cheap.)
- Masculine Plural: Os sapatos são baratos. (The shoes are cheap.)
- Feminine Plural: As blusas são baratas. (The blouses are cheap.)
2. Adverbial Usage
Sometimes 'barato' functions as an adverb, particularly with verbs like 'vender' (to sell) or 'comprar' (to buy). In these instances, it often remains in the masculine singular form, regardless of the object, though this is more common in informal speech.
Example: "Eles vendem barato." (They sell [things] cheaply.)
3. Comparatives and Superlatives
To compare prices, use 'mais barato que' (cheaper than) or 'o mais barato' (the cheapest). To emphasize that something is extremely cheap, use the absolute superlative: baratíssimo.
Example: "Este mercado é baratíssimo!" (This market is extremely cheap!)
4. The Noun Form (Brazil)
When used as 'o barato', it refers to a sensation or a 'vibe'. "O barato da viagem foi conhecer as montanhas." (The best part/the thrill of the trip was seeing the mountains.)
You will encounter 'barato' in a wide variety of social and commercial settings. It is one of the first words a traveler or student needs to master to navigate daily life in a Portuguese-speaking country.
At the Market (A Feira)
This is perhaps the most common place. Vendors will shout their prices, often using 'barato' to attract customers. You might hear: "Olha o tomate, tá barato hoje!" (Look at the tomatoes, they're cheap today!)
In Advertising
Flyers, TV commercials, and digital ads use 'barato' constantly. Look for phrases like 'Preço baixo e tudo barato' (Low price and everything cheap) or 'O lugar mais barato da cidade' (The cheapest place in town).
Informal Conversations
Friends discussing their latest purchases will use it to justify a buy. "Paguei muito barato por este celular." (I paid very little for this phone.) In Brazil, you'll hear it in artistic or youth circles to describe something impressive: "Que barato esse grafite!" (How cool is this graffiti!)
Financial News
While formal reports might use 'baixo custo' or 'econômico', 'barato' is still used when discussing market trends, such as a currency being 'cheap' relative to another.
Even though 'barato' seems simple, learners often stumble on a few specific points. Avoiding these will make your Portuguese sound much more natural.
1. Confusing 'Barato' with 'Baixo'
English speakers often want to say 'low price' as 'preço barato'. While understood, the more correct collocation is preço baixo. 'Barato' describes the object, while 'baixo' describes the price.
- Incorrect: O preço está barato.
- Correct: O preço está baixo. / O produto é barato.
2. Forgetting Gender Agreement
Because 'barato' ends in 'o', learners sometimes forget to change it to 'barata' for feminine nouns like 'comida', 'roupa', or 'passagem'.
3. Misusing the Slang
Using 'barato' to mean 'cool' in a very formal setting (like a job interview) in Portugal might result in confusion. In Brazil, it's safer but still informal. Use 'interessante' or 'excelente' in formal contexts.
4. The 'Barata' Confusion
Be careful! A barata (noun) means 'the cockroach'. While 'a roupa barata' means 'the cheap clothing', saying just 'A barata!' might make someone look for an insect on the floor. Context is key!
Portuguese has several ways to express that something doesn't cost much, each with a slightly different flavor.
1. Econômico
This implies efficiency and saving money. A 'carro econômico' is one that doesn't use much fuel, not necessarily one that was cheap to buy.
2. Em conta
A very common idiomatic expression. "Este restaurante é bem em conta." It sounds slightly more sophisticated than 'barato' and implies good value for money.
3. Acessível
Meaning 'accessible'. It suggests that the price is within reach of most people. It's often used in formal marketing.
4. Módico
A more formal, almost literary term for a low price. You might see this in contracts or formal announcements: "Por um preço módico..."
5. Popular
Used to describe prices or products aimed at the working class. "Carro popular" refers to entry-level, affordable vehicles.
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Adjective-Noun Agreement
Comparatives of Superiority
Absolute Superlatives with -íssimo
Adverbial use of adjectives
Gender of nouns ending in -a
수준별 예문
O leite é barato.
The milk is cheap.
Masculine singular agreement.
A água é barata.
The water is cheap.
Feminine singular agreement.
Estes pães são baratos.
These breads are cheap.
Masculine plural agreement.
As laranjas são baratas.
The oranges are cheap.
Feminine plural agreement.
É muito barato.
It is very cheap.
Use of 'muito' as an intensifier.
Eu quero um carro barato.
I want a cheap car.
Adjective following the noun.
Onde é barato?
Where is it cheap?
Simple question structure.
Não é caro, é barato.
It's not expensive, it's cheap.
Contrast with 'caro'.
Este livro é mais barato que aquele.
This book is cheaper than that one.
Comparative of superiority.
A fruta aqui é baratíssima!
The fruit here is extremely cheap!
Absolute superlative form.
Eu comprei estas roupas bem barato.
I bought these clothes very cheaply.
Adverbial usage of 'barato'.
Você conhece um restaurante barato?
Do you know a cheap restaurant?
Interrogative with adjective.
Viajar de ônibus é o mais barato.
Traveling by bus is the cheapest.
Relative superlative.
Eles vendem tudo muito barato.
They sell everything very cheaply.
Adverbial phrase.
A passagem de trem não foi barata.
The train ticket was not cheap.
Negative sentence with feminine agreement.
Sapatos baratos nem sempre são bons.
Cheap shoes are not always good.
Plural noun-adjective agreement.
Às vezes, o barato sai caro.
Sometimes, the cheap [option] ends up being expensive.
Common proverb.
O preço da carne está ficando menos barato.
The price of meat is becoming less cheap.
Comparative of inferiority.
Eu achei um barato aquela festa!
I thought that party was so cool!
Brazilian slang (noun form).
Eles conseguiram um aluguel bem em conta.
They managed to get a very affordable rent.
Synonym 'em conta' used in context.
Se fosse mais barato, eu compraria.
If it were cheaper, I would buy it.
Conditional with imperfect subjunctive.
Não é apenas barato, é de boa qualidade.
It's not just cheap, it's of good quality.
Conjunction 'não apenas... mas também' implied.
O custo de vida lá é bem barato.
The cost of living there is quite cheap.
Abstract noun 'custo de vida'.
Achei o filme o maior barato.
I found the movie to be a total trip/very cool.
Colloquial 'o maior barato'.
A empresa busca mão de obra barata no exterior.
The company seeks cheap labor abroad.
Economic terminology.
O barato da vida é aproveitar os momentos.
The thrill of life is enjoying the moments.
Metaphorical noun usage.
Embora seja barato, o serviço é excelente.
Although it is cheap, the service is excellent.
Concessive clause with 'embora'.
A desvalorização do Real tornou o país barato para turistas.
The devaluation of the Real made the country cheap for tourists.
Causal relationship.
Ele sempre tenta levar vantagem comprando barato.
He always tries to take advantage by buying cheap.
Gerund construction.
O que era barato antigamente, hoje custa uma fortuna.
What was cheap in the past, today costs a fortune.
Relative pronoun 'o que'.
Não se deixe enganar por promessas de soluções baratas.
Don't be fooled by promises of cheap solutions.
Passive voice / Imperative.
Aquele restaurante é o mais barato da região, sem dúvida.
That restaurant is the cheapest in the region, without a doubt.
Superlative with 'sem dúvida'.
A proliferação de produtos baratos impacta a indústria local.
The proliferation of cheap products impacts local industry.
Formal academic tone.
O barato daquela substância era perigoso.
The 'high' from that substance was dangerous.
Slang for drug-induced state (contextual).
Venderam a empresa a preço de banana, muito barato.
They sold the company for peanuts, very cheap.
Idiom 'preço de banana'.
A política de crédito barato estimulou o consumo desenfreado.
The cheap credit policy stimulated rampant consumption.
Complex economic subject.
É um equívoco pensar que o que é barato carece de estética.
It is a misconception to think that what is cheap lacks aesthetics.
Formal philosophical statement.
O autor descreve o 'barato' da boemia carioca dos anos 70.
The author describes the 'vibe' of Rio's bohemian scene in the 70s.
Literary reference to slang.
Ainda que as passagens estejam baratas, não posso viajar.
Even though the tickets are cheap, I cannot travel.
Concessive with subjunctive.
A busca por soluções baratas e rápidas muitas vezes ignora a sustentabilidade.
The search for cheap and quick solutions often ignores sustainability.
Compound adjective phrase.
A ontologia do 'barato' na cultura pop brasileira é complexa.
The ontology of 'the cheap/the cool' in Brazilian pop culture is complex.
Highly academic usage.
O mercado de capitais reagiu à oferta barata de ativos.
The capital market reacted to the cheap offering of assets.
Financial jargon.
Subestimar o adversário é um erro barato que pode custar o campeonato.
Underestimating the opponent is a 'cheap' (silly/easy) mistake that can cost the championship.
Metaphorical use for 'low effort/silly'.
A dialética entre o caro e o barato define as relações de consumo.
The dialectic between the expensive and the cheap defines consumption relations.
Philosophical phrasing.
Nada sai tão caro quanto o que se obtém por um preço vilmente barato.
Nothing costs as much as what is obtained for a vilely cheap price.
Rhetorical literary structure.
O 'barato' espiritual que ele buscava não estava nas posses materiais.
The spiritual 'high' he sought was not in material possessions.
Transcendental usage of slang.
A retórica barata dos políticos já não convence o eleitorado.
The cheap rhetoric of politicians no longer convinces the electorate.
Pejorative use meaning 'shallow'.
A fluidez com que o termo 'barato' transita entre o econômico e o lúdico é notável.
The fluidity with which the term 'barato' moves between the economic and the playful is remarkable.
Meta-linguistic analysis.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
As a noun, it means cockroach. As an adjective, it's the feminine of cheap.
Used for 'low' height or 'low' prices, while barato is for the item itself.
Portugal's equivalent of the Brazilian slang 'barato' (cool).
문장 패턴
사용법
Brazilian 'barato' can mean a drug high, so use with caution in specific contexts.
O barato sai caro is essential for B1+ learners.
- Using 'barato' for 'low' (e.g., 'o volume está barato' - wrong, use 'baixo').
- Forgetting the plural 's' in 'sapatos baratos'.
- Using 'barato' as slang in Portugal and being misunderstood.
- Saying 'mais bom barato' instead of 'muito mais barato'.
- Confusing 'barato' (adj) with 'baratear' (verb) in sentence structure.
팁
Agreement
Always check the noun gender. 'A comida é barata' (feminine).
Haggling
In Brazilian markets, 'barato' is your starting point for negotiation.
Synonyms
Use 'em conta' to sound more like a native speaker in restaurants.
Cool Factor
Use 'Que barato!' when a Brazilian friend shows you something cool.
The Cockroach
Be careful with 'a barata'—context prevents bug confusion!
Labor
'Mão de obra barata' is a common term in news and business.
The R
Don't roll the 'r' like in Spanish; it's a soft tap.
Avoid Repetition
Mix 'barato' with 'acessível' in your writing.
Market Cries
Listen for 'tá barato' in street markets to find deals.
Value
Remember: barato = price, bom = quality.
암기하기
시각적 연상
A bright yellow discount sticker with the word 'BARATO' on it.
어원
Latin 'barattare'
문화적 맥락
Common in markets, similar to Portuguese usage.
Used as slang for 'cool'.
Used almost exclusively for price.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Você conhece algum lugar barato para comer?"
"O que você comprou que foi muito barato?"
"Você acha que viajar para o Brasil é barato?"
"Qual é o supermercado mais barato da cidade?"
"Você prefere comprar coisas baratas ou de marca?"
일기 주제
Descreva uma vez que você comprou algo barato e se arrependeu.
O que é 'um barato' para você hoje em dia?
Escreva sobre as diferenças de preços no seu país.
Você gosta de pechinchar? Por quê?
Faça uma lista de coisas que são baratas mas valiosas.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It is better to say 'preço baixo'. 'Barato' describes the item, not the price itself, though people will understand you.
No, it is also the feminine form of 'barato'. 'A blusa barata' (the cheap blouse) vs 'A barata' (the cockroach).
You say 'mais barato'. Portuguese uses 'mais' (more) instead of an -er ending.
No, but it can imply low quality. If you want to be more polite about a low price, use 'acessível' or 'em conta'.
Yes, it is very common in spoken Portuguese to emphasize that something is a great deal.
The opposite is 'caro' (expensive).
Yes, in phrases like 'vender barato' (to sell cheaply).
Rarely. It is mostly a Brazilian expression.
It means that if you buy something poor quality just because it's cheap, you'll spend more fixing or replacing it later.
You can ask: 'Pode fazer mais barato?' (Can you make it cheaper?)
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'barato' is essential for daily transactions and understanding value. Remember the proverb 'O barato sai caro' to remind yourself that low price doesn't always mean high value, and watch for gender agreement!
- Barato means cheap or inexpensive in Portuguese.
- It changes to barata, baratos, or baratas depending on the noun.
- In Brazil, it can mean 'cool' or 'a trip' (slang).
- The opposite of barato is caro (expensive).
Agreement
Always check the noun gender. 'A comida é barata' (feminine).
Haggling
In Brazilian markets, 'barato' is your starting point for negotiation.
Synonyms
Use 'em conta' to sound more like a native speaker in restaurants.
Cool Factor
Use 'Que barato!' when a Brazilian friend shows you something cool.
예시
Encontrei um vestido muito barato na promoção.
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