Signification
Low cost.
Contexte culturel
The 'Mercato Rionale' is a weekly tradition in most Italian towns. It is the primary place where people look for items 'a buon mercato', from local cheeses to kitchenware. In regions like Sicily and Campania, the ability to find things 'a buon mercato' through social connections and local knowledge is highly valued and often discussed over coffee. Young Italians today often use 'a buon mercato' when discussing vintage shopping or 'mercatini dell'usato', which have become trendy as a sustainable and affordable way to dress. In Italian business, 'a buon mercato' can sometimes be a double-edged sword. While everyone loves a deal, if a service is 'troppo a buon mercato' (too cheap), an Italian client might suspect the quality is 'scadente' (poor).
The 'Invariable' Rule
Never change the ending. Whether you are talking about one pizza or ten pizzas, it is always 'a buon mercato'.
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'a buon mercato' is confusing or insulting. Use 'generoso' or 'economico' (in a financial context) instead.
Signification
Low cost.
The 'Invariable' Rule
Never change the ending. Whether you are talking about one pizza or ten pizzas, it is always 'a buon mercato'.
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'a buon mercato' is confusing or insulting. Use 'generoso' or 'economico' (in a financial context) instead.
Pair with 'molto'
You can add 'molto' (very) or 'per niente' (not at all) to modify the intensity: 'molto a buon mercato'.
The Bargain Pride
Italians love to brag about finding a deal. Using this phrase makes you sound like a savvy local who knows the value of money.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Queste mele sono molto ____.
The phrase 'a buon mercato' is invariable and does not change for plural nouns like 'mele'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I found a cheap hotel'?
Scegli la frase corretta:
The phrase 'a buon mercato' usually follows the noun it modifies.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: Guarda questo orologio, costa solo 10 euro! B: ________!
10 euros for a watch is a low price, so 'a buon mercato' is the appropriate reaction.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
In which situation would you say 'Non è per niente a buon mercato'?
'Non è per niente a buon mercato' means 'It's not cheap at all', which fits an expensive designer bag.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Price Levels in Italian
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesQueste mele sono molto ____.
The phrase 'a buon mercato' is invariable and does not change for plural nouns like 'mele'.
Scegli la frase corretta:
The phrase 'a buon mercato' usually follows the noun it modifies.
A: Guarda questo orologio, costa solo 10 euro! B: ________!
10 euros for a watch is a low price, so 'a buon mercato' is the appropriate reaction.
In which situation would you say 'Non è per niente a buon mercato'?
'Non è per niente a buon mercato' means 'It's not cheap at all', which fits an expensive designer bag.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a newspaper article.
No, it is strictly for goods, services, or abstract concepts like 'victory' or 'rhetoric'.
'Economico' is a modern adjective, while 'a buon mercato' is a more traditional idiomatic phrase. They are mostly interchangeable.
No, it is an invariable phrase. 'Le case sono a buon mercato' is correct.
No, you should say 'molto a buon mercato'.
Not at all! It usually implies you made a smart purchase.
It is used everywhere, but the 'mercato' culture is very strong in the South.
Yes, it is very common for groceries and restaurant prices.
You can say 'a prezzo stracciato' or 'regalato'.
Yes, to discuss costs or market prices, it is perfectly professional.
Because it comes from the idea of finding a 'good deal' at the market square.
You can just say 'costa poco', but it's less idiomatic.
Expressions liées
economico
synonymInexpensive
a basso prezzo
similarAt a low price
prezzo stracciato
specialized formDirt cheap
caro
contrastExpensive
conveniente
similarAdvantageous/Good value
a buon rendere
builds onI owe you one
