ارزان قیمت
ارزان قیمت in 30 Seconds
- Means 'inexpensive' or 'cheap' in Persian.
- Compound of 'arzan' (cheap) + 'qeymat' (price).
- Used with Ezafe after nouns (e.g., mashin-e arzan qeymat).
- Very common in shopping, real estate, and daily life.
The Persian term ارزان قیمت (pronounced arzan qeymat) is a highly common and extremely useful compound adjective used to describe items, services, or properties that do not cost a lot of money. It is the direct equivalent of the English words 'inexpensive', 'cheap', 'low-priced', or 'affordable'. To truly understand this word, we must break it down into its constituent parts. The first word, ارزان (arzan), simply means 'cheap' or 'inexpensive'. The second word, قیمت (qeymat), translates to 'price' or 'value'. When combined, they literally mean 'cheap-priced'. While 'arzan' can be used on its own, adding 'qeymat' makes the phrase slightly more formal and specific to the monetary cost of an item, often implying that while the price is low, the quality might still be acceptable, distinguishing it from something that is merely 'cheap' in a derogatory sense.
- Literal Translation
- Cheap price / Low price
- Part of Speech
- Compound Adjective
- Register
- Standard / Neutral (Suitable for both spoken and written Persian)
In everyday Iranian culture, finding a good deal is highly valued, and bargaining (chaneh zadan) is a common practice in traditional markets (bazaars). Therefore, knowing how to describe something as 'arzan qeymat' is essential for shopping, negotiating, and discussing economics. It is frequently used in advertisements, real estate listings, and casual conversations about the cost of living.
من به دنبال یک ماشین ارزان قیمت هستم.
این هتل بسیار ارزان قیمت است.
گوشیهای ارزان قیمت معمولاً دوربین خوبی ندارند.
آنها خانههای ارزان قیمت برای جوانان میسازند.
آیا رستوران ارزان قیمت در این نزدیکی میشناسید؟
Understanding the nuance of this word will significantly enhance your ability to navigate commercial transactions in Persian-speaking environments. Whether you are buying souvenirs in Isfahan, looking for a budget hotel in Tehran, or simply discussing the global economy, 'arzan qeymat' is a vocabulary staple that you will encounter and use repeatedly. It forms the foundation of financial and consumer-related discussions in the Persian language.
Using ارزان قیمت correctly involves understanding Persian adjective placement and the Ezafe construction. In Persian, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, connected by the Ezafe vowel (usually an 'e' or 'ye' sound). Therefore, to say 'an inexpensive car', you say 'mashin-e arzan qeymat'. The word itself remains invariable; it does not change for gender or number, which makes it relatively simple for learners to adopt. You can use it in both attributive positions (modifying a noun directly) and predicative positions (following a 'to be' verb).
- Attributive Usage
- Noun + Ezafe + ارزان قیمت (e.g., Lebas-e arzan qeymat = Inexpensive clothes)
- Predicative Usage
- Subject + ارزان قیمت + است (e.g., In lebas arzan qeymat ast = This clothing is inexpensive)
- Comparative & Superlative
- To make it comparative, add 'tar' (ارزان قیمتتر). For superlative, add 'tarin' (ارزان قیمتترین).
Let us look at how this compound adjective functions in various sentence structures. When you want to emphasize the affordability of an item, placing it at the end of the sentence as a predicate is very common. For example, 'Gheymat-e in bilit besyar arzan qeymat ast' (The price of this ticket is very cheap). However, note that saying 'gheymat... arzan qeymat' is slightly redundant, so it is better to say 'In bilit besyar arzan qeymat ast' (This ticket is very inexpensive).
ما به یک مسافرت ارزان قیمت رفتیم.
این فروشگاه اجناس ارزان قیمت میفروشد.
پیدا کردن مسکن ارزان قیمت در تهران سخت است.
این ارزان قیمتترین لپتاپ در بازار است.
غذاهای خیابانی معمولاً ارزان قیمت هستند.
Practicing the Ezafe connection is crucial. Listen to native speakers to hear the subtle 'e' sound linking the noun to 'arzan qeymat'. This smooth transition is key to sounding natural. Furthermore, combining this word with adverbs of degree like 'besyar' (very), 'kheyli' (a lot/very), or 'nesbatan' (relatively) allows for more precise descriptions of cost, which is highly useful in negotiations or reviews.
The phrase ارزان قیمت is ubiquitous in Persian-speaking environments, particularly anywhere commerce, trade, or daily expenses are discussed. You will encounter it extensively in both formal and informal contexts. One of the most common places to hear it is in advertising. Television commercials, radio spots, and online ads on platforms like Divar or Digikala frequently use 'arzan qeymat' to attract budget-conscious consumers. It is a powerful marketing buzzword in Iran, where economic fluctuations make affordability a top priority for many families.
- E-commerce
- Used in filters and product descriptions (e.g., 'Kharid-e goushi-e arzan qeymat' - Buying a cheap phone).
- Real Estate
- Common in property listings for budget rentals or sales.
- Travel & Tourism
- Used by travel agencies promoting budget tours or cheap flights.
Beyond advertising, you will hear this phrase in daily conversations among friends and family. When people share shopping tips, recommend restaurants, or discuss their recent purchases, 'arzan qeymat' is often used to highlight a good find. In the traditional bazaars, while merchants might shout 'arzan, arzan!' (cheap, cheap!), the compound 'arzan qeymat' is more likely to be used in full sentences when discussing the overall value of a category of goods with a shopkeeper.
در این سایت میتوانید پروازهای ارزان قیمت پیدا کنید.
دولت قول داده است خودروهای ارزان قیمت تولید کند.
این رستوران به خاطر غذاهای ارزان قیمت و خوشمزهاش معروف است.
بسیاری از دانشجویان به دنبال خوابگاههای ارزان قیمت هستند.
خرید لباسهای ارزان قیمت همیشه به صرفه نیست.
In written Persian, such as newspapers and magazines, 'arzan qeymat' is preferred over just 'arzan' when a formal tone is required. For instance, an article about the automotive industry will discuss 'khodro-ha-ye arzan qeymat' (inexpensive vehicles) rather than just 'khodro-ha-ye arzan'. Familiarizing yourself with these contexts will help you understand when to use the full compound adjective for maximum naturalness and accuracy in your Persian communication.
While ارزان قیمت is a straightforward vocabulary item, learners often make a few specific mistakes regarding its grammar, nuance, and context. The most frequent error is related to redundancy. Because 'qeymat' means price, learners sometimes use the word 'gheymat' (price) as the subject and then use 'arzan qeymat' as the adjective, resulting in a repetitive sentence. For example, saying 'Gheymat-e in mashin arzan qeymat ast' literally translates to 'The price of this car is cheap-priced'. This sounds unnatural to native speakers.
- Mistake 1: Redundancy
- Incorrect: قیمت این لباس ارزان قیمت است. (The price of this dress is cheap-priced.)
- Correction 1
- Correct: این لباس ارزان قیمت است. (This dress is inexpensive.) OR قیمت این لباس ارزان است. (The price of this dress is cheap.)
- Mistake 2: Missing Ezafe
- Incorrect: ماشین ارزان قیمت (Mashin arzan qeymat - spoken without the 'e' link).
Another common issue is confusing 'arzan qeymat' with words that mean 'low quality' or 'worthless'. While cheap items can sometimes be of low quality, 'arzan qeymat' strictly refers to the monetary cost. If you want to say something is of poor quality, you should use 'bi keifiyat' (without quality) or 'banjol' (junk/shoddy). Using 'arzan qeymat' to insult the quality of an item might cause confusion, as the listener will just think you are stating a fact about its price tag.
❌ اشتباه: قیمت این کفش ارزان قیمت است.
✅ درست: این کفش ارزان قیمت است.
❌ اشتباه: او یک ماشین ارزان قیمت خرید چون ماشین قبلیاش بیارزش بود. (Confusing cheap with worthless)
✅ درست: او یک ماشین ارزان قیمت خرید تا پول پسانداز کند.
✅ درست: این جنس ارزان قیمت است اما کیفیت خوبی دارد.
Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the superlative placement. Remember that while adjectives follow nouns, superlative adjectives (ending in -tarin) precede the noun. So, 'the cheapest house' is 'arzan qeymat-tarin khaneh', not 'khaneh-ye arzan qeymat-tarin'. Mastering these minor structural rules will make your Persian sound significantly more fluent and accurate when discussing prices and shopping.
Expanding your vocabulary around the concept of affordability will give you more precision in Persian. While ارزان قیمت is excellent for general use, there are several synonyms and related terms that carry slightly different nuances. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to express exact economic concepts. A very common synonym is simply ارزان (arzan), which means cheap. It is shorter and slightly more colloquial than the full compound phrase. Another excellent word is مقرون به صرفه (maghroun be sarfeh), which translates to 'cost-effective' or 'economical'. This implies that the item offers good value for the money spent, not just that the price tag is low.
- ارزان (Arzan)
- Cheap. The most direct and common synonym. (e.g., In sib-ha arzan hastand - These apples are cheap).
- مقرون به صرفه (Maghroun be sarfeh)
- Cost-effective / Economical. Used when something is a smart financial choice.
- اقتصادی (Eghtesadi)
- Economic / Budget. Often used for cars, flights, or plans (e.g., Parvaz-e eghtesadi - Economy flight).
On the more informal side, you might hear the word مفت (moft). This means 'free' or 'dirt cheap'. If someone buys a very expensive item for a ridiculously low price, they might say 'Moft kharidam!' (I bought it for nothing!). However, 'moft' can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying something is of such low quality that it's practically worthless, so use it with caution. Another useful phrase is قیمت مناسب (qeymat monaseb), which means 'reasonable price' or 'fair price'. This is highly recommended when negotiating or asking for a fair deal without demanding the absolute lowest price.
این ماشین بسیار مقرون به صرفه است.
من همیشه بلیطهای اقتصادی میخرم.
این کفشها را تقریباً مفت خریدم!
به دنبال هتلی با قیمت مناسب هستم.
جنس ارزان لزوماً بیکیفیت نیست.
By integrating these variations into your vocabulary, you can express a spectrum of financial concepts, from 'dirt cheap' (moft) to 'reasonably priced' (qeymat monaseb) to 'cost-effective' (maghroun be sarfeh). This nuanced understanding is a hallmark of an advanced speaker and will make your conversations about shopping, budgeting, and economics much more dynamic and precise.
How Formal Is It?
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Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
این کتاب ارزان قیمت است.
This book is inexpensive.
Subject + Adjective + Ast (is).
سیب ارزان قیمت است.
Apples are cheap.
Basic predicative use.
من یک خودکار ارزان قیمت میخواهم.
I want a cheap pen.
Using 'yek' (a/an) and Ezafe.
آیا این ارزان قیمت است؟
Is this inexpensive?
Question formation with 'Aya'.
آن لباس ارزان قیمت نیست.
That dress is not cheap.
Negative verb 'nist'.
چای ارزان قیمت است.
Tea is inexpensive.
Simple factual statement.
ماشین ارزان قیمت.
Inexpensive car.
Noun phrase with Ezafe.
اینجا ارزان قیمت است.
It is cheap here.
Using location 'inja'.
من دیروز یک کفش ارزان قیمت خریدم.
I bought an inexpensive pair of shoes yesterday.
Past tense verb 'kharidam'.
این هتل از آن هتل ارزان قیمتتر است.
This hotel is cheaper than that hotel.
Comparative form '-tar'.
ما به دنبال یک رستوران ارزان قیمت هستیم.
We are looking for an inexpensive restaurant.
Present continuous concept using 'be donbal-e... hastim'.
گوشیهای ارزان قیمت خیلی زود خراب میشوند.
Cheap phones break down very quickly.
Plural noun 'goushi-ha' with singular adjective.
ارزان قیمتترین بلیط چقدر است؟
How much is the cheapest ticket?
Superlative form '-tarin' before the noun.
او همیشه لباسهای ارزان قیمت میپوشد.
He always wears inexpensive clothes.
Adverb of frequency 'hamisheh'.
برای سفر به یک چمدان ارزان قیمت نیاز دارم.
I need an inexpensive suitcase for the trip.
Using 'niyaz daram' (I need).
این فروشگاه اجناس ارزان قیمت دارد.
This store has low-priced goods.
Using verb 'darad' (has).
پیدا کردن مسکن ارزان قیمت در مرکز شهر تقریباً غیرممکن است.
Finding affordable housing in the city center is almost impossible.
Infinitive phrase as subject 'peyda kardan-e...'.
اگرچه این لپتاپ ارزان قیمت است، اما کیفیت قابل قبولی دارد.
Although this laptop is inexpensive, it has acceptable quality.
Conjunction 'agarcheh' (although).
شرکتهای هواپیمایی ارزان قیمت معمولاً خدمات کمتری ارائه میدهند.
Low-cost airlines usually offer fewer services.
Compound subject 'sherkat-ha-ye havapeymaei-e arzan qeymat'.
تولید کالاهای ارزان قیمت به اقتصاد کشور کمک میکند.
Producing low-priced goods helps the country's economy.
Verbal noun 'tolid' (production).
مردم به دلیل تورم به خرید اجناس ارزان قیمت روی آوردهاند.
People have turned to buying inexpensive goods due to inflation.
Present perfect tense 'rouy avardeh-and'.
آیا فکر میکنید ماشینهای ارزان قیمت ایمن هستند؟
Do you think cheap cars are safe?
Expressing opinion with 'fekr mikonid'.
او ترجیح میدهد به جای یک هتل لوکس، در یک مسافرخانه ارزان قیمت بماند.
He prefers to stay in an inexpensive inn instead of a luxury hotel.
Using 'tarjih midahad' (prefers) and 'be jaye' (instead of).
این طرح برای خانوادههای کمدرآمد، اینترنت ارزان قیمت فراهم میکند.
This plan provides affordable internet for low-income families.
Using 'faraham mikonad' (provides).
واردات بیرویه کالاهای ارزان قیمت، تولیدکنندگان داخلی را با بحران مواجه کرده است.
The excessive import of cheap goods has faced domestic producers with a crisis.
Complex noun phrase 'varedat-e bi-raviye-ye kala-ha-ye arzan qeymat'.
دولت یارانههایی برای تامین داروهای ارزان قیمت اختصاص داده است.
The government has allocated subsidies to provide affordable medicines.
Formal vocabulary 'yaranah' (subsidy) and 'ekhtesas dadeh ast'.
استراتژی این شرکت، تسخیر بازار از طریق عرضه محصولات ارزان قیمت اما با دوام است.
The company's strategy is to capture the market by offering inexpensive but durable products.
Advanced vocabulary 'taskhir' (capture) and 'arzeh' (offering).
منتقدان معتقدند که مسکنهای ارزان قیمت ساخته شده در حومه شهر، فاقد امکانات رفاهی هستند.
Critics believe that the affordable housing built in the suburbs lacks amenities.
Passive participle 'sakhteh shodeh' acting as an adjective.
در شرایط رکود اقتصادی، تقاضا برای خدمات ارزان قیمت به شدت افزایش مییابد.
In conditions of economic recession, the demand for low-priced services increases sharply.
Economic terminology 'rokoud-e eghtesadi' (economic recession).
او با استفاده از مواد اولیه ارزان قیمت، توانست هزینه تولید را به حداقل برساند.
By using inexpensive raw materials, he was able to minimize production costs.
Using 'ba estefadeh az' (by using).
گردشگری ارزان قیمت میتواند به توسعه مناطق روستایی کمک شایانی کند.
Budget tourism can significantly help the development of rural areas.
Collocation 'komak-e shayani' (significant help).
مصرفکنندگان باید آگاه باشند که همیشه خرید کالای ارزان قیمت به معنای صرفهجویی نیست.
Consumers should be aware that buying a cheap item does not always mean saving money.
Subjunctive mood 'agah bashand' (should be aware).
سیاستگذاریهای کلان اقتصادی باید به گونهای باشد که دسترسی اقشار آسیبپذیر به ارزاق عمومی ارزان قیمت تضمین گردد.
Macroeconomic policymaking must be such that the access of vulnerable strata to affordable public provisions is guaranteed.
Highly formal passive subjunctive 'tazmin gardad'.
پدیده مد سریع (Fast Fashion) بر پایه استثمار نیروی کار و تولید انبوه پوشاک ارزان قیمت استوار است.
The phenomenon of Fast Fashion is based on the exploitation of labor and the mass production of cheap clothing.
Academic vocabulary 'estesmar' (exploitation) and 'tolid-e anbouh' (mass production).
در رقابتهای تنگاتنگ تجاری، اتکا صرف به ارائه خدمات ارزان قیمت نمیتواند ضامن بقای بلندمدت یک سازمان باشد.
In fierce commercial competitions, relying solely on offering cheap services cannot guarantee the long-term survival of an organization.
Complex syntax and formal vocabulary 'reqabat-ha-ye tangatang' (fierce competitions).
گرایش روزافزون جامعه به سمت مصرفگرایی، بازار کاذبی برای محصولات ارزان قیمت و بیکیفیت ایجاد کرده است.
Society's ever-increasing trend towards consumerism has created a false market for cheap and low-quality products.
Sociological terms 'masraf-garaei' (consumerism) and 'bazar-e kazeb' (false market).
طرح توسعه ناوگان حمل و نقل عمومی ارزان قیمت، گامی موثر در جهت کاهش آلودگی هوا و ترافیک شهری تلقی میشود.
The plan to develop an affordable public transportation fleet is considered an effective step towards reducing air pollution and urban traffic.
Passive voice 'talaghi mishavad' (is considered).
برخی از تحلیلگران بر این باورند که دامپینگ و عرضه کالاهای ارزان قیمت، استراتژی مخربی برای نابودی رقبای محلی است.
Some analysts believe that dumping and supplying cheap goods is a destructive strategy to destroy local competitors.
Economic jargon 'dumping' and 'arzeh' (supply).
تسهیلات بانکی با نرخ بهره پایین میتواند محرک خوبی برای انبوهسازان مسکن ارزان قیمت باشد.
Bank facilities with low interest rates can be a good stimulus for mass builders of affordable housing.
Financial terms 'tashilat-e banki' (bank facilities) and 'nerkh-e bahreh' (interest rate).
فقدان نظارت کافی بر بازار، منجر به جولان دلالان و نایاب شدن اقلام ارزان قیمت و ضروری شده است.
The lack of sufficient market supervision has led to the maneuvering of brokers and the scarcity of cheap and essential items.
Advanced idiomatic phrasing 'jowlan-e dalalan' (maneuvering of brokers).
هژمونی اقتصادی کشورهای توسعهیافته غالباً از طریق اشباع بازارهای کشورهای در حال توسعه با کالاهای ارزان قیمت و یارانهای تثبیت میگردد.
The economic hegemony of developed countries is often consolidated through the saturation of developing countries' markets with cheap, subsidized goods.
Academic discourse using terms like 'hegemoni' (hegemony) and 'eshba' (saturation).
پارادوکس نهفته در مفهوم 'ارزان قیمت' این است که هزینههای پنهان زیستمحیطی و اجتماعی آن، در درازمدت به مراتب گزافتر از بهای اولیه آن خواهد بود.
The paradox inherent in the concept of 'cheap' is that its hidden environmental and social costs will, in the long run, be far more exorbitant than its initial price.
Philosophical/analytical structure 'paradox-e nohofteh' (inherent paradox).
در گفتمان اقتصاد سیاسی معاصر، تقلیل رفاه اجتماعی به صرفِ تامین مایحتاج ارزان قیمت، رویکردی تقلیلگرایانه و فاقد جامعیت نگریسته میشود.
In contemporary political economy discourse, reducing social welfare to merely providing cheap necessities is viewed as a reductionist approach lacking comprehensiveness.
Highly abstract vocabulary 'gofteman' (discourse), 'taghlil-garayaneh' (reductionist).
ادبیات کلاسیک فارسی، به کرات مفهوم بیارزشیِ متاعِ ارزان قیمتِ دنیوی را در قیاس با گوهرهای گرانبهای معنوی به تصویر کشیده است.
Classical Persian literature has repeatedly depicted the worthlessness of cheap worldly goods in comparison to precious spiritual gems.
Literary register 'mata-e arzan qeymat-e donyavi' (cheap worldly goods).
استحاله فرهنگی جوامع مصرفزده، ارتباطی تنگاتنگ با وفور و در دسترس بودنِ بیقید و شرطِ سرگرمیهای ارزان قیمت و سطحی دارد.
The cultural metamorphosis of consumerist societies is closely linked to the abundance and unconditional availability of cheap and superficial entertainment.
Sociological critique 'estehaleh-ye farhangi' (cultural metamorphosis).
سیاستمداران پوپولیست همواره با وعده پوشالیِ توزیعِ منابعِ ارزان قیمت، سعی در جلب آرای تودههای فرودست داشتهاند.
Populist politicians have always tried to attract the votes of the lower classes with the empty promise of distributing cheap resources.
Political terminology 'populist', 'vadeh-ye poushali' (empty promise), 'toudeh-ha-ye foroudast' (lower classes).
مکانیزمهای قیمتگذاری دستوری، با سرکوب مصنوعی قیمتها، توهمی از وجود کالای ارزان قیمت ایجاد میکنند که دیری نمیپاید.
Command pricing mechanisms, by artificially suppressing prices, create an illusion of the existence of cheap goods that does not last long.
Advanced economic theory 'mekanizm-ha-ye qeymat-gozari-e dastouri' (command pricing mechanisms).
تجلیِ هنرِ اصیل در تقابل با تولیداتِ بازاری و ارزان قیمت است که اصالت و ماندگاری خود را به منصه ظهور میرساند.
It is in contrast with cheap, market-driven productions that the manifestation of authentic art brings its originality and endurance to the fore.
Aesthetic/artistic critique 'tajalli-e honar-e asil' (manifestation of authentic art), 'manasseh-ye zohour' (to the fore).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
به دنبال جنس ارزان قیمت بودن (be donbal-e jens-e arzan qeymat boudan - to look for cheap items)
خرید ارزان قیمت (kharid-e arzan qeymat - budget shopping)
فروشگاههای ارزان قیمت (foroushgah-ha-ye arzan qeymat - discount stores)
ارزان قیمتترین گزینه (arzan qeymat-tarin gozineh - the cheapest option)
نسبتاً ارزان قیمت (nesbatan arzan qeymat - relatively inexpensive)
بسیار ارزان قیمت (besyar arzan qeymat - very inexpensive)
تولید ارزان قیمت (tolid-e arzan qeymat - low-cost production)
واردات ارزان قیمت (varedat-e arzan qeymat - cheap imports)
ارزان قیمت تمام شدن (arzan qeymat tamam shodan - to end up being cheap)
مسافرت ارزان قیمت (mosaferat-e arzan qeymat - budget travel)
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Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Focuses strictly on the monetary cost. Does not inherently mean poor quality, though it can be implied by context.
Neutral. Suitable for all contexts.
Extremely high frequency in daily life, commerce, and media.
- Saying 'قیمت ماشین ارزان قیمت است' (The price of the car is cheap-priced) instead of 'ماشین ارزان قیمت است'.
- Forgetting the Ezafe: Saying 'کتاب ارزان قیمت' (Ketab arzan qeymat) instead of 'Ketab-e arzan qeymat'.
- Pluralizing the adjective: Saying 'ماشینهای ارزان قیمتها' instead of 'ماشینهای ارزان قیمت'.
- Putting the superlative after the noun: Saying 'ماشین ارزان قیمتترین' instead of 'ارزان قیمتترین ماشین'.
- Confusing it with 'بیارزش' (worthless) when trying to describe something of low quality.
Tips
Don't Forget the Ezafe
Always link the noun to 'arzan qeymat' with the Ezafe vowel. It's the most common mistake beginners make. Say 'Mashin-E arzan qeymat', not 'Mashin arzan qeymat'. This small vowel makes your Persian sound fluent.
Avoid Redundancy
Never use the word 'gheymat' (price) as the subject when using 'arzan qeymat' as the adjective. It sounds repetitive. Just use the item itself as the subject. Example: 'In lebas arzan qeymat ast'.
Superlative Placement
Remember that 'arzan qeymat-tarin' (the cheapest) goes BEFORE the noun. This is an exception to the usual noun-adjective order. 'Arzan qeymat-tarin bilit' means the cheapest ticket.
Bargaining Context
In Iran, finding 'arzan qeymat' items is a sport. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price in bazaars. You can say 'Arzan-tar nadarid?' (Do you have a cheaper one?).
Listen for the Root
In fast speech, people might just say 'arzan'. Train your ear to catch both 'arzan' and 'arzan qeymat'. They mean the same thing in casual conversation.
Formal Preference
If you are writing an essay or a formal email, use 'arzan qeymat' instead of just 'arzan'. It elevates your writing style and sounds more professional.
Price vs. Quality
If you want to say something is a 'good deal' (good quality and cheap), use 'maghroun be sarfeh' (cost-effective). 'Arzan qeymat' only comments on the price.
Master the 'Q' Sound
The 'q' in 'qeymat' is a guttural sound. Practice it by gargling slightly. It's the same sound as the 'gh' in 'ghaza' (food).
Use with Adverbs
Enhance your sentences by adding adverbs of degree. 'Besyar arzan qeymat' (very cheap) or 'nesbatan arzan qeymat' (relatively cheap) add great detail to your speech.
Word Association
Group 'arzan qeymat' with its opposite 'geran qeymat' in your vocabulary lists. Learning antonym pairs is a highly effective way to memorize new adjectives.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'ARZAN' (Tarzan) swinging through the jungle looking for a 'QEYMAT' (K-mart) to buy CHEAP clothes.
Visual Association
Visualize a bright red sale tag with the words 'ارزان قیمت' written on it, attached to a very basic, inexpensive item like a plain white t-shirt.
Word Origin
Persian
Cultural Context
When bargaining, you might say 'arzan-tar bedid' (give it cheaper) rather than using the full 'arzan qeymat'.
The term 'maskan-e mehr' refers to a massive government project in Iran aimed at providing 'maskan-e arzan qeymat' (affordable housing).
Iranians often weigh 'arzan qeymat' against 'ba keifiyat' (high quality). A good purchase is both.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"آیا میدانید کجا میتوانم لباسهای ارزان قیمت پیدا کنم؟ (Do you know where I can find cheap clothes?)"
"به نظر شما خرید ماشین ارزان قیمت کار درستی است؟ (Do you think buying a cheap car is the right thing to do?)"
"ارزان قیمتترین سفری که تا به حال رفتهاید کجا بوده است؟ (Where was the cheapest trip you have ever been on?)"
"چگونه میتوانیم در این شهر مسکن ارزان قیمت پیدا کنیم؟ (How can we find affordable housing in this city?)"
"آیا کیفیت فدای اجناس ارزان قیمت میشود؟ (Is quality sacrificed for cheap goods?)"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you bought something 'arzan qeymat' and it turned out to be a great purchase.
Describe the difference between something being 'arzan qeymat' and being 'bi keifiyat' (low quality).
Write a short advertisement in Persian for an 'arzan qeymat' product.
Discuss the impact of inflation on the availability of 'arzan qeymat' goods in your country.
List five 'arzan qeymat' activities you can do in your city.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, absolutely. 'Arzan' is the core word for cheap. Adding 'qeymat' (price) makes it a compound adjective that sounds slightly more formal and specific. Both are perfectly understood. In casual speech, 'arzan' is more common. In writing or formal speech, 'arzan qeymat' is preferred.
Not necessarily. It strictly refers to the price tag. While cheap things can be of low quality, the word itself doesn't mean 'junk'. If you want to say something is of poor quality, use 'bi keifiyat'. Iranians often look for things that are both 'arzan qeymat' and 'ba keifiyat'.
You don't. In Persian, adjectives do not change form to match plural nouns. If you are talking about one cheap car, it is 'mashin-e arzan qeymat'. If you are talking about ten cheap cars, it is 'mashin-ha-ye arzan qeymat'. The adjective remains exactly the same.
The Ezafe (the 'e' or 'ye' sound) connects the noun to the adjective. It goes immediately after the noun. For example, 'Ketab' (book) + Ezafe + 'arzan qeymat' becomes 'Ketab-e arzan qeymat'. Do not put an Ezafe between 'arzan' and 'qeymat'.
To make the superlative form, add the suffix '-tarin' to the end of the compound: 'arzan qeymat-tarin'. Remember that superlative adjectives in Persian come BEFORE the noun they modify. So, 'the cheapest car' is 'arzan qeymat-tarin mashin'.
Yes, it is considered redundant and unnatural. It literally translates to 'the price of this car is cheap-priced'. You should either say 'in mashin arzan qeymat ast' (this car is inexpensive) or 'gheymat-e in mashin arzan ast' (the price of this car is cheap).
No, it is strictly used for goods, services, properties, or anything that has a monetary price. Using it for a person would sound nonsensical or highly insulting, implying they can be bought for a low price. Use words like 'khasis' (stingy) if referring to someone's spending habits.
The direct opposite is 'geran qeymat' (گران قیمت), which means expensive or high-priced. You can also just use 'geran' (گران). The grammatical rules for 'geran qeymat' are exactly the same as for 'arzan qeymat'.
Yes, it is very common in formal writing, news reports, economic analyses, and official documents. It is considered standard Persian. In fact, it is often preferred over the simpler 'arzan' in formal contexts because it sounds more precise.
The 'q' (ق) in Persian is pronounced like a voiced uvular stop or fricative, similar to the French 'r' but further back in the throat. It sounds identical to the letter 'gh' (غ) in modern standard Iranian Persian. Practice making a soft, guttural sound from the back of your throat.
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Summary
The word 'ارزان قیمت' (arzan qeymat) is your go-to phrase for describing anything affordable in Persian. Remember to use the Ezafe to connect it to nouns, and use it to navigate markets, find good deals, and discuss budgets confidently.
- Means 'inexpensive' or 'cheap' in Persian.
- Compound of 'arzan' (cheap) + 'qeymat' (price).
- Used with Ezafe after nouns (e.g., mashin-e arzan qeymat).
- Very common in shopping, real estate, and daily life.
Don't Forget the Ezafe
Always link the noun to 'arzan qeymat' with the Ezafe vowel. It's the most common mistake beginners make. Say 'Mashin-E arzan qeymat', not 'Mashin arzan qeymat'. This small vowel makes your Persian sound fluent.
Avoid Redundancy
Never use the word 'gheymat' (price) as the subject when using 'arzan qeymat' as the adjective. It sounds repetitive. Just use the item itself as the subject. Example: 'In lebas arzan qeymat ast'.
Superlative Placement
Remember that 'arzan qeymat-tarin' (the cheapest) goes BEFORE the noun. This is an exception to the usual noun-adjective order. 'Arzan qeymat-tarin bilit' means the cheapest ticket.
Bargaining Context
In Iran, finding 'arzan qeymat' items is a sport. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price in bazaars. You can say 'Arzan-tar nadarid?' (Do you have a cheaper one?).
Example
شما میتوانید لباسهای ارزان قیمت در این فروشگاه پیدا کنید.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More shopping words
ناموجود
B1Not available or out of stock.
پیشخوان
B1A counter in a shop where transactions occur.
برند
A2A type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name.
گران قیمت
A2Costing a lot of money; expensive.
اقساطی
B1Paid in parts over a period of time; in installments.
وسیله
A2An object or piece of equipment used for a specific purpose; an item or device.
اصل
B1Existing from the beginning; not copied or fake; original or genuine.
بسته بندی
A2The wrapping or container in which goods are packaged; packaging.
پس گرفتن
B1To take back something that was given or sold; to retrieve or return.
یکرنگ
B1Having only one color; solid color or uniform.