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A2 adjective #1,000 最常用 14分钟阅读

barato/a

前1,000

At the A1 beginner level, learning the word barato is absolutely essential for building your foundational Spanish vocabulary. When you are just starting out, your primary goal is to communicate basic needs and navigate simple, everyday situations, such as buying food, asking for directions, or shopping for souvenirs. This word allows you to express a very basic but crucial concept: that something does not cost a lot of money. You will use it primarily with the verb ser (to be) in simple sentence structures. For example, you might point to an apple in a market and say, 'La manzana es barata' (The apple is cheap), or look at a menu and note, 'El café es barato aquí' (The coffee is cheap here). It is also important at this stage to learn the opposite word, caro (expensive), as they are almost always taught together as a contrasting pair. You will practice matching the gender of the word to the noun it describes, ensuring you say barato for masculine items like 'el libro' and barata for feminine items like 'la camisa'. Furthermore, you will begin to understand basic questions related to price, such as '¿Es barato?' (Is it cheap?). Mastering this single adjective opens up a significant amount of communicative potential, allowing you to participate in basic commercial transactions and express simple opinions about the cost of goods in your immediate environment.

As you progress to the A2 elementary level, your ability to describe the world around you becomes more detailed, and your use of the word barato expands accordingly. You are no longer just stating simple facts; you are beginning to make comparisons and express preferences. At this stage, you will learn how to use comparative structures to evaluate different options. You will frequently use phrases like 'más barato que' (cheaper than) and 'menos barato que' (less cheap than). For instance, you might say, 'El autobús es más barato que el tren' (The bus is cheaper than the train) when planning a trip. You will also start using modifiers to add nuance to your descriptions, employing words like 'muy' (very) or 'bastante' (quite) before the adjective, as in 'Este restaurante es muy barato' (This restaurant is very cheap). Additionally, at the A2 level, you begin to encounter the crucial distinction between the verbs ser and estar. You will learn that 'ser barato' implies a general characteristic (e.g., 'Esa tienda es barata' - That store is generally cheap), while 'estar barato' refers to a temporary state or a current sale (e.g., 'Los tomates están baratos hoy' - Tomatoes are cheap today). This distinction allows you to communicate much more accurately about prices, sales, and market fluctuations in everyday conversations.

Reaching the B1 intermediate level means you can now express opinions, navigate travel situations with greater ease, and engage in more complex conversations about money and value. At this stage, your use of the word barato becomes more sophisticated. You will start using superlative forms to identify the extreme ends of a spectrum, saying things like 'es el hotel más barato de la ciudad' (it is the cheapest hotel in the city). You will also begin to understand and use the word in more abstract contexts, moving beyond physical items to describe services, experiences, or even lifestyles. For example, you might discuss how 'viajar de mochilero es una forma barata de ver el mundo' (backpacking is a cheap way to see the world). Furthermore, at the B1 level, you become aware of the subtle connotations of the word. You learn that while it means inexpensive, it can sometimes imply low quality, similar to the English word 'cheap'. To avoid this negative implication when you simply mean 'affordable', you will start incorporating synonyms like 'económico' into your active vocabulary. You will also begin to encounter common idiomatic expressions related to price, such as the widely used proverb 'lo barato sale caro' (what is cheap ends up being expensive), which allows you to participate in cultural discussions about value, quality, and smart consumer habits.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your understanding of the word barato expands significantly beyond simple price tags and basic comparisons. You are now capable of engaging in detailed discussions about economics, consumerism, and societal trends. You will use the word to articulate complex arguments about the relationship between price and quality, often employing it in debates or persuasive writing. For instance, you might argue that 'la producción de ropa barata tiene un alto costo ambiental' (the production of cheap clothing has a high environmental cost). At this level, you are fully comfortable with the nuances of ser versus estar and can use them to highlight subtle shifts in market dynamics. You also begin to use the word in its adverbial form or in fixed phrases, such as 'comprar barato' (to buy cheaply) or 'vender barato' (to sell cheaply). Furthermore, your vocabulary of synonyms and related terms is robust; you seamlessly interchange 'barato' with words like 'asequible', 'económico', or colloquialisms like 'tirado de precio' depending on the register and context of the conversation. You understand the metaphorical uses of the word, recognizing when it is used to describe something lacking in profound value or effort, such as 'una excusa barata' (a cheap excuse) or 'política barata' (cheap politics), demonstrating a deeper cultural and linguistic fluency.

In the C1 advanced level, you are expected to use the word barato in complex socioeconomic discussions, academic writing, and nuanced critiques. Your command of the language allows you to deploy the word with precision, fully aware of its cultural weight and rhetorical power. You will use it to discuss macroeconomic concepts, such as inflation, market depreciation, and the global supply chain. For example, you might analyze how 'la mano de obra barata en países en desarrollo impulsa la economía global' (cheap labor in developing countries drives the global economy). At this level, you are highly sensitive to register and tone. You know exactly when to use 'barato' for dramatic effect in a speech and when to opt for a more formal term like 'de bajo coste' or 'accesible' in a professional report. You also master the use of the word in highly idiomatic and localized expressions, understanding regional variations in how cheapness is expressed across different Spanish-speaking countries. You can effortlessly comprehend and produce literature or journalistic texts where the word is used metaphorically to criticize superficiality or lack of moral substance, such as describing a film's plot as relying on 'trucos baratos' (cheap tricks) to elicit emotion, showcasing your advanced analytical skills.

At the C2 mastery level, your command of the Spanish language allows you to use the word barato in highly sophisticated, literary, and rhetorical contexts with the intuition of a highly educated native speaker. You understand the profound sociological and philosophical implications of the concept of 'cheapness' and can articulate these ideas flawlessly. You might use the word in literary analysis to discuss the devaluation of human life or values in a specific novel, perhaps referring to 'el desprecio por la vida, que se ha vuelto tan barata en tiempos de guerra' (the disregard for life, which has become so cheap in times of war). You manipulate the word effortlessly in complex syntactic structures, using it in passive voice constructions, subjunctive clauses, and intricate conditional sentences. You are intimately familiar with the etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved over time. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, 'barato' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual tool that you use to dissect cultural phenomena, critique consumerist societies, and express profound philosophical observations about worth, value, and the human condition, doing so with absolute grammatical perfection and stylistic elegance.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

barato/a 30秒了解

Describes something that costs very little money or is inexpensive.
Must agree in gender (barato/barata) and number (baratos/baratas) with the noun.
Can sometimes imply low quality, similar to the English word 'cheap'.
Frequently used in shopping, travel, and everyday financial conversations.

The Spanish word barato, which translates to cheap or inexpensive in English, is an absolutely fundamental adjective that every Spanish learner must master early in their language journey. When you are traveling through Spanish-speaking countries, navigating local markets, or simply managing your daily budget, this word will be one of your most frequently used vocabulary items. At its core, barato describes a product, service, or experience that requires a low financial expenditure relative to standard market prices or personal expectations.

Literal Meaning: Having a low price; costing very little money.

However, the usage of this word extends far beyond simple price tags. It encompasses a cultural understanding of value, negotiation, and economic accessibility. In many Latin American countries and in Spain, finding something that is barato is often celebrated, and sharing information about where to find the best deals is a common topic of everyday conversation.

Encontré un restaurante muy barato cerca de la plaza principal.

When people use this word, they are usually expressing satisfaction with a purchase or recommending a cost-effective option to a friend. It is important to note that, just like the English word cheap, barato can sometimes carry a secondary, slightly negative connotation. While it primarily means inexpensive, it can occasionally imply that an item is of low quality, poorly manufactured, or lacking in durability. Therefore, context is key when using this adjective. If you are pointing at a beautifully handcrafted souvenir in a market and you say it is barato, you are expressing pleasant surprise at the fair price.

Este vestido es increíblemente barato para la calidad que tiene.

Conversely, if you are examining a flimsy electronic device that breaks immediately, describing it as barato highlights its inferior craftsmanship.

Pejorative Usage: Used to describe something that is poorly made, tacky, or lacking intrinsic value.

Understanding this dual nature of the word will help you navigate social interactions more effectively. Furthermore, the word must always agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. This means you will use barato for singular masculine nouns, barata for singular feminine nouns, baratos for plural masculine nouns, and baratas for plural feminine nouns.

Las manzanas en este mercado son muy baratas.

This grammatical agreement is a fundamental rule of Spanish syntax and is crucial for sounding natural and fluent. Whether you are bargaining at a bustling tianguis in Mexico, looking for budget accommodation in a hostel in Spain, or simply comparing prices at a local supermarket in Colombia, mastering the various forms and nuances of this essential adjective will significantly enhance your communicative competence. You will frequently hear native speakers using it in exclamations of surprise, such as ¡Qué barato! (How cheap!), which is a fantastic phrase to memorize and use when you genuinely find a great deal.

¡Qué barato está el combustible hoy!

Ultimately, the concept of cheapness is universal, but the way it is expressed and culturally perceived varies. By integrating this word into your active vocabulary, you unlock a critical aspect of daily economic and social exchange in the Spanish-speaking world.

Cultural Context: Finding inexpensive items is often seen as a sign of being a savvy shopper and is a point of pride.

Comprar ropa barata es mi pasatiempo favorito los fines de semana.

The ability to accurately describe the cost of items not only helps you save money but also facilitates deeper connections with locals who appreciate a good bargain just as much as you do.

Using the adjective barato correctly in Spanish sentences requires a solid understanding of several key grammatical concepts, most notably gender and number agreement, as well as the crucial distinction between the verbs ser and estar. Because Spanish is a highly inflected language, adjectives must mirror the properties of the nouns they describe.

Gender Agreement: The ending changes to -o for masculine and -a for feminine nouns.

For example, if you are talking about a car (el coche, masculine singular), you must say el coche es barato. If you are talking about a house (la casa, feminine singular), you must say la casa es barata.

El billete de tren es muy barato.

When dealing with plural nouns, you simply add an s to the appropriate gendered form. Therefore, los zapatos (the shoes, masculine plural) become los zapatos son baratos, and las gafas (the glasses, feminine plural) become las gafas son baratas. Beyond basic agreement, the choice of verb significantly alters the meaning of the sentence. In Spanish, the verbs ser and estar both translate to to be, but they are used in entirely different contexts.

Ser vs Estar: Ser implies a permanent characteristic, while estar implies a temporary state or condition.

When you use ser with this adjective (e.g., Este supermercado es barato), you are stating a general, enduring characteristic of the subject. You are saying that the supermarket is generally known for having low prices all the time.

Comer en casa siempre es más barato que salir a un restaurante.

On the other hand, when you use estar (e.g., Los tomates están baratos hoy), you are highlighting a temporary situation or a change from the norm. This implies that the tomatoes are currently on sale or that their price has dropped recently, but they are not always this inexpensive.

Aprovecha, que el aceite de oliva está barato esta semana.

This distinction is incredibly useful for nuanced communication, especially when discussing market fluctuations, seasonal sales, or special promotions. Furthermore, this word is frequently used in comparative and superlative structures. To say something is cheaper than something else, you use the formula más + adjective + que. For instance, El autobús es más barato que el taxi (The bus is cheaper than the taxi). To express the superlative, meaning the cheapest, you use the definite article followed by más and the adjective: Es el restaurante más barato de la ciudad (It is the cheapest restaurant in the city).

Comparisons: Essential for making purchasing decisions and discussing options with others.

Este es el vuelo más barato que pude encontrar para nuestras vacaciones.

You can also use modifiers to intensify or diminish the degree of cheapness. Words like muy (very), bastante (quite), or demasiado (too) are commonly placed directly before the adjective.

Ese reloj es demasiado barato, sospecho que es una falsificación.

By mastering these sentence structures, agreement rules, and verb pairings, you will be able to articulate complex thoughts about price, value, and economic choices with confidence and precision in any Spanish-speaking environment.

The adjective barato is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, echoing through a wide variety of environments, from bustling open-air markets to sophisticated corporate boardrooms. Its most natural and frequent habitat is, unsurprisingly, anywhere commerce takes place.

Street Markets: The epicenter of bargaining, where prices are fluid and vocalized loudly.

If you stroll through a traditional mercado in Madrid, a tianguis in Mexico City, or a feria in Buenos Aires, you will constantly hear vendors shouting out their prices, often using this very word to attract customers. Phrases like ¡Bueno, bonito y barato! (Good, pretty, and cheap!) are classic marketing slogans used by street merchants to emphasize that their goods offer the perfect trifecta of quality, aesthetics, and affordability.

Venga, lleve sus frutas, ¡todo muy barato hoy!

In these vibrant settings, the word is a tool for negotiation, a way for buyers to request a lower price (¿No tiene algo más barato?) and for sellers to justify a purchase. Beyond the markets, you will hear this word extensively in the context of travel and tourism. Backpackers and budget travelers frequently exchange tips on where to find the most inexpensive hostels, the most affordable bus routes, and the most cost-effective local eateries.

Nos alojamos en un hostal muy barato cerca de la playa.

In everyday social interactions, friends and family use it when discussing their daily expenses, sharing advice on managing household budgets, or complaining about the rising cost of living.

Everyday Conversations: Used to discuss the cost of groceries, utilities, rent, and entertainment.

For instance, someone might say that a particular supermarket chain is much cheaper than another, or that buying seasonal produce is the most inexpensive way to eat healthily.

La vida en este pueblo es mucho más barata que en la capital.

Furthermore, the word permeates media and advertising. Television commercials, radio spots, and online advertisements constantly promise the cheapest rates for insurance, the most inexpensive mobile phone plans, or massive discounts during seasonal sales like Black Friday (which is increasingly popular in Spanish-speaking countries) or Las Rebajas (the traditional sales periods in Spain). You will also encounter it in idiomatic expressions that reflect cultural wisdom regarding money and value. The most famous of these is undoubtedly lo barato sale caro (what is cheap ends up being expensive), a proverb used to warn against buying low-quality items that will quickly break and need replacing.

Proverbs and Idioms: Embedded in cultural sayings that impart financial wisdom and life lessons.

No compres esos zapatos de mala calidad, recuerda que lo barato sale caro.

In more abstract or metaphorical contexts, the word can be used to describe things that are easily obtained or lack profound value, such as excusas baratas (cheap excuses) or sentimentalismo barato (cheap sentimentality).

No me vengas con excusas baratas, sé que llegaste tarde a propósito.

This demonstrates that while the primary domain of the word is economics and shopping, its reach extends into the realms of psychology, relationships, and literary expression, making it a truly versatile and indispensable component of the Spanish language.

While the adjective barato might seem straightforward to English speakers, there are several common pitfalls and grammatical errors that learners frequently encounter when trying to incorporate it into their spoken and written Spanish. The most prevalent mistake, by a significant margin, is the failure to ensure proper gender and number agreement.

Agreement Errors: Forgetting to change the ending to match feminine or plural nouns.

Because English adjectives are invariable (we say cheap car and cheap cars, cheap boy and cheap girl), English speakers often default to the masculine singular form, regardless of the noun they are modifying.

Incorrecto: Las camisas son barato. Correcto: Las camisas son baratas.

This error immediately marks the speaker as a learner and can sometimes cause momentary confusion. It is crucial to develop the habit of mentally checking the gender and number of the noun before uttering the adjective. Another frequent source of confusion is the misuse of the verbs ser and estar in conjunction with this word. Learners often use ser when they should use estar, and vice versa. If you say El vuelo es barato, you are implying that this specific flight route is generally known for being inexpensive all year round. However, if you find a sudden, temporary discount on a flight that is usually expensive, you must say El vuelo está barato to convey that the low price is a current, possibly fleeting, condition.

Normalmente es caro, pero hoy el pescado está muy barato.

Failing to make this distinction can lead to misunderstandings about the nature of the deal you are describing. A third common mistake involves using the word inappropriately in formal or professional contexts where a more refined synonym would be better suited.

Register and Tone: Using a colloquial word in a formal business setting can sound unprofessional.

While perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, describing a company's services or a business proposal as barato might inadvertently suggest that the services are of low quality or lacking in professional rigor.

En lugar de decir que nuestro servicio es barato, diremos que es económico y competitivo.

In such scenarios, words like económico, asequible, or competitivo are much more appropriate. Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the placement of the adjective within the sentence. In Spanish, descriptive adjectives typically follow the noun they modify (e.g., un coche barato). Placing it before the noun (un barato coche) sounds highly unnatural and is grammatically awkward.

Siempre busco un hotel barato cuando viajo solo.

Finally, there is the subtle error of translating English idioms too literally. For example, trying to say that something is dirt cheap by translating it word-for-word will result in nonsense. Instead, you must learn the equivalent Spanish idioms, such as tirado de precio or regalado.

Literal Translations: Directly translating English slang often fails to convey the intended meaning in Spanish.

Ese ordenador no es solo barato, ¡está tirado de precio!

By being mindful of these common mistakes—gender/number agreement, ser vs. estar, appropriate register, adjective placement, and idiomatic usage—you can significantly improve the accuracy and naturalness of your Spanish communication.

To truly enrich your Spanish vocabulary and speak with greater precision, it is essential to move beyond the basic word barato and explore the rich tapestry of synonyms and alternative expressions available in the language. While the primary word is incredibly useful, relying on it exclusively can make your speech sound repetitive or overly simplistic.

Económico: The most common and professional alternative, focusing strictly on the financial aspect without negative connotations.

The word económico is perhaps the most important alternative to learn. It translates directly to economical or affordable and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike its simpler counterpart, económico never carries the negative implication of poor quality. It simply states that something is a good value for the money or fits well within a budget.

Buscamos un coche que sea seguro y económico en el consumo de gasolina.

If you are writing a formal email, discussing business expenses, or trying to sound polite and refined, económico is always the superior choice. Another excellent alternative is asequible, which translates to accessible or affordable. This word emphasizes that a price is within reach for the average person or for a specific budget.

El gobierno prometió construir más viviendas asequibles para los jóvenes.

When you want to express that something is incredibly inexpensive, almost shockingly so, Spanish offers several colorful idiomatic alternatives. The phrase tirado de precio literally means thrown of price, but it is the equivalent of the English idiom dirt cheap.

Tirado de precio: A highly colloquial expression used in Spain to denote an exceptionally low price.

Compré esta chaqueta en las rebajas y estaba tirada de precio.

Similarly, the word regalado (literally given away as a gift) is used to exaggerate how little something cost. If you say Esta televisión está regalada, you mean the price is so low it feels like they are giving it away for free. Another very common noun used in this context is una ganga, which translates to a bargain or a steal. You wouldn't use it as an adjective, but rather as a descriptive noun: Es una ganga (It is a bargain).

Conseguir billetes a París por cincuenta euros es una verdadera ganga.

For situations involving discounts or sales, you can use words like rebajado (reduced/discounted) or de oferta (on sale).

De oferta: Specifically indicates that an item is temporarily available at a lower price than usual.

Todos los abrigos de invierno están de oferta esta semana.

By incorporating these alternatives—económico for professionalism, asequible for accessibility, tirado de precio or regalado for exaggeration, and ganga or de oferta for specific retail contexts—you will significantly elevate your Spanish fluency and be able to express subtle nuances of value and cost with native-like proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

正式

"Nuestra empresa ofrece soluciones económicas y competitivas."

中性

"Este supermercado es muy barato."

非正式

"¡Esa tele está tirada de precio!"

Child friendly

"Ese juguete es muy barato, podemos comprarlo."

俚语

"Me costó cuatro duros, una ganga total."

趣味小知识

The English word 'barter' and the Spanish word 'barato' share the same ancient root, highlighting how the concepts of trading and getting a good deal have been linguistically intertwined for centuries.

发音指南

UK /baˈɾato/

US /baˈɾato/

ba-RA-to (Stress is on the penultimate syllable: RA)

押韵词

zapato gato pato rato trato plato olfato sensato

常见错误

Pronouncing the 'r' as an English 'r' instead of a Spanish tap.
Diphthongizing the 'o' at the end (saying 'oh-w' instead of a crisp 'o').
Stressing the first syllable (BA-ra-to) instead of the second.
Pronouncing the 'b' too hard; it should be softer, almost like a 'v' when between vowels.
Forgetting to change the final 'o' to an 'a' when describing a feminine noun.

难度评级

阅读 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in written text.

写作 2/5

Requires remembering to match gender and number (barato/a/os/as).

口语 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires quick mental checks for gender agreement.

听力 1/5

Clear pronunciation and frequently emphasized in speech.

接下来学什么

前置知识

dinero comprar tienda precio caro

接下来学习

económico asequible oferta descuento rebaja

高级

abaratar abaratamiento fluctuación adquisitivo rentable

需要掌握的语法

Adjective Gender Agreement

El coche es barato. La casa es barata.

Adjective Number Agreement

Los zapatos son baratos. Las gafas son baratas.

Ser vs. Estar with Adjectives

El supermercado es barato (siempre). Los tomates están baratos (hoy).

Comparatives of Inequality

El tren es más barato que el avión.

Superlatives

Este es el hotel más barato de la ciudad.

按水平分级的例句

El pan es muy barato.

The bread is very cheap.

Uses 'ser' (es) for a general characteristic and masculine singular agreement (barato).

La manzana es barata.

The apple is cheap.

Feminine singular agreement (barata) to match 'la manzana'.

Los zapatos son baratos.

The shoes are cheap.

Masculine plural agreement (baratos) to match 'los zapatos'.

Las camisas son baratas.

The shirts are cheap.

Feminine plural agreement (baratas) to match 'las camisas'.

¿Es barato el hotel?

Is the hotel cheap?

Question structure placing the verb 'es' before the subject.

No, no es barato.

No, it is not cheap.

Basic negative sentence structure using 'no' twice.

Este libro es barato.

This book is cheap.

Use of demonstrative adjective 'este' with masculine singular noun.

El agua es barata aquí.

Water is cheap here.

'Agua' is feminine, so it takes 'barata', even though it uses 'el' for pronunciation reasons.

El tren es más barato que el avión.

The train is cheaper than the plane.

Comparative structure: más + adjetivo + que.

Hoy los tomates están muy baratos.

Today tomatoes are very cheap.

Uses 'estar' (están) to indicate a temporary state or current price.

Quiero comprar un coche barato.

I want to buy a cheap car.

Adjective placed after the noun it modifies.

Esta tienda es bastante barata.

This store is quite cheap.

Use of the modifier 'bastante' (quite) before the adjective.

Busco un restaurante barato para cenar.

I am looking for a cheap restaurant for dinner.

Using the verb 'buscar' with an indefinite article and adjective.

El billete de autobús no es tan barato.

The bus ticket is not that cheap.

Use of 'tan' (so/that) to modify the adjective in a negative context.

Mis gafas nuevas fueron muy baratas.

My new glasses were very cheap.

Preterite tense of 'ser' (fueron) with feminine plural agreement.

¿Cuál es la opción más barata?

Which is the cheapest option?

Superlative structure: la + más + adjetivo.

Es el hotel más barato que pude encontrar.

It is the cheapest hotel I could find.

Superlative followed by a relative clause (que pude encontrar).

A veces, lo barato sale caro.

Sometimes, cheap things end up being expensive.

Use of the neuter article 'lo' to mean 'that which is cheap' in a common idiom.

Prefiero algo económico; no me gusta la ropa barata.

I prefer something economical; I don't like cheap clothing.

Contrasting 'económico' (affordable) with 'barato' (implying low quality).

Si compras los billetes con antelación, te saldrán más baratos.

If you buy the tickets in advance, they will turn out cheaper for you.

Use of the verb 'salir' to mean 'to turn out/cost' with an indirect object pronoun.

Me sorprendió que la comida estuviera tan barata.

I was surprised that the food was so cheap.

Imperfect subjunctive (estuviera) triggered by the expression of emotion (me sorprendió).

Viajar por el sudeste asiático es relativamente barato.

Traveling through Southeast Asia is relatively cheap.

Use of the adverb 'relativamente' to modify the adjective.

Encontré una ganga, el ordenador estaba baratísimo.

I found a bargain, the computer was extremely cheap.

Use of the absolute superlative suffix '-ísimo' (baratísimo).

No vale la pena comprarlo solo porque es barato.

It's not worth buying it just because it's cheap.

Use of the expression 'valer la pena' (to be worth it) followed by an infinitive.

La producción en masa ha abaratado los costes, haciendo el producto más barato.

Mass production has lowered costs, making the product cheaper.

Use of the related verb 'abaratar' alongside the adjective.

Es un error común confundir valor con un precio barato.

It is a common mistake to confuse value with a cheap price.

Using 'barato' to modify 'precio' in an abstract discussion of economics.

No me vengas con excusas baratas por haber llegado tarde.

Don't give me cheap excuses for arriving late.

Metaphorical use of 'barato' meaning lacking value or effort (cheap excuses).

Aunque el alquiler es barato, los gastos de comunidad son altísimos.

Although the rent is cheap, the community fees are extremely high.

Use of the concessive conjunction 'aunque' (although) to contrast ideas.

El turismo barato está destruyendo el encanto de esta ciudad costera.

Cheap tourism is destroying the charm of this coastal city.

Using 'barato' to describe a socioeconomic phenomenon (budget tourism).

Compró las acciones cuando estaban baratas y ahora es millonario.

He bought the stocks when they were cheap and now he is a millionaire.

Using 'estar' in the imperfect tense to describe a past temporary condition of the market.

Esa película recurre a sentimentalismos baratos para hacer llorar al público.

That movie resorts to cheap sentimentality to make the audience cry.

Metaphorical use in literary/film critique (cheap sentimentality).

La mano de obra barata es el motor de muchas industrias multinacionales.

Cheap labor is the engine of many multinational industries.

Collocation 'mano de obra barata' (cheap labor) in an economic context.

La proliferación de aerolíneas de bajo coste ha democratizado los viajes, haciéndolos irrisoriamente baratos.

The proliferation of low-cost airlines has democratized travel, making it laughably cheap.

Use of complex adverbs (irrisoriamente) to modify the adjective in a formal sentence.

El abaratamiento de la tecnología ha provocado que los dispositivos queden obsoletos rápidamente, un fenómeno de lo barato efímero.

The cheapening of technology has caused devices to become obsolete quickly, a phenomenon of the ephemeral cheap.

Substantivation of the adjective (lo barato) combined with another adjective (efímero).

Su discurso estuvo plagado de demagogia y promesas baratas que no convencieron a nadie.

His speech was plagued with demagoguery and cheap promises that convinced no one.

Advanced metaphorical use (promesas baratas) in a political critique.

En el mercado inmobiliario actual, encontrar una vivienda céntrica y barata es una auténtica quimera.

In the current real estate market, finding a central and cheap home is an absolute chimera.

Pairing the adjective with advanced vocabulary (quimera) in a complex sentence structure.

La devaluación de la moneda hizo que las exportaciones del país resultaran artificialmente baratas en el mercado internacional.

The devaluation of the currency made the country's exports artificially cheap on the international market.

Use of the verb 'resultar' as a sophisticated alternative to 'ser' or 'estar'.

Se escudó en un cinismo barato para no afrontar las consecuencias morales de sus actos.

He hid behind a cheap cynicism to avoid facing the moral consequences of his actions.

Abstract metaphorical use describing a psychological defense mechanism.

La falacia de que lo barato es inherentemente inferior ha sido desmentida por varias marcas disruptivas.

The fallacy that what is cheap is inherently inferior has been debunked by several disruptive brands.

Philosophical/economic argument using 'lo barato' as the subject.

Aquel restaurante, otrora exclusivo, ha decaído hasta convertirse en un figón de comida barata y grasienta.

That restaurant, once exclusive, has declined to become a greasy, cheap food joint.

Use of the adjective in a highly descriptive, literary narrative sentence.

La banalización del arte contemporáneo a menudo lo reduce a un mero espectáculo barato, desprovisto de trascendencia.

The trivialization of contemporary art often reduces it to a mere cheap spectacle, devoid of significance.

Highly academic critique using 'barato' to denote lack of intellectual value.

En la dialéctica del consumismo, lo barato se erige como un espejismo de accesibilidad que oculta la explotación subyacente.

In the dialectic of consumerism, cheapness stands as a mirage of accessibility that hides underlying exploitation.

Sociological analysis using 'lo barato' as a conceptual noun.

El autor destila un pesimismo existencial donde la vida misma se percibe como algo barato y prescindible.

The author distills an existential pessimism where life itself is perceived as something cheap and expendable.

Literary analysis applying the adjective to the abstract concept of human life.

Su retórica, desprovista de rigor empírico, no era más que un sofisma barato diseñado para apaciguar a las masas.

His rhetoric, devoid of empirical rigor, was nothing more than a cheap sophism designed to appease the masses.

Advanced political/rhetorical critique (sofisma barato).

La mercantilización de los sentimientos ha transformado el amor en una mercancía barata, transable en el mercado de las redes sociales.

The commodification of feelings has transformed love into a cheap commodity, tradable on the social media market.

Philosophical observation on modern society using complex vocabulary.

Lejos de ser una panacea, aquella política fiscal resultó ser un parche barato que exacerbó la crisis estructural.

Far from being a panacea, that fiscal policy turned out to be a cheap patch that exacerbated the structural crisis.

Economic analysis using 'parche barato' (cheap patch/fix) metaphorically.

El abaratamiento ontológico del ser humano en la era digital es un tema recurrente en la literatura distópica contemporánea.

The ontological cheapening of the human being in the digital age is a recurring theme in contemporary dystopian literature.

Using the related noun 'abaratamiento' in a highly philosophical context.

Se aferró a una ironía barata, el último refugio de los espíritus mediocres ante la inmensidad del fracaso.

He clung to a cheap irony, the last refuge of mediocre spirits in the face of the immensity of failure.

Poetic and deeply literary use of the adjective to describe a psychological state.

常见搭配

muy barato

bastante barato

salir barato

comprar barato

vender barato

vuelo barato

hotel barato

restaurante barato

más barato

demasiado barato

常用短语

¿Es barato?

Lo más barato posible

Bueno, bonito y barato

No es nada barato

Más barato que

Estar barato

Ser barato

Comida barata

Mano de obra barata

Un precio barato

容易混淆的词

barato/a vs Caro

This is the exact opposite of barato. Caro means expensive. Learners sometimes mix them up when speaking quickly.

barato/a vs Bajo

Bajo means 'low' (for height or volume). While you can say 'un precio bajo' (a low price), you cannot say 'un coche bajo' to mean a cheap car; that would mean a low-riding car.

barato/a vs Tacaño

Tacaño means 'stingy' or 'cheap' when describing a person's character. You cannot use 'barato' to describe a stingy person.

习语与表达

"Lo barato sale caro"

What is cheap ends up being expensive. A warning against buying low-quality goods.

Compré unos zapatos de cinco euros y se rompieron al día siguiente; lo barato sale caro.

neutral

"Tirado de precio"

Dirt cheap; incredibly inexpensive.

Aprovecha las rebajas, todo está tirado de precio.

informal

"Costar cuatro duros"

To cost very little (a 'duro' was an old Spanish coin). Used mainly in Spain.

No te preocupes por invitarme, este café cuesta cuatro duros.

informal

"Ser una ganga"

To be a bargain or a steal.

Ese coche por ese precio es una verdadera ganga.

neutral

"Regalado"

So cheap it's practically given away.

Pagué diez dólares por esta chaqueta de cuero, ¡estaba regalada!

informal

"A precio de saldo"

At clearance price; very cheap.

Compraron la empresa a precio de saldo durante la crisis.

neutral

"Más barato que el agua"

Cheaper than water. Used to exaggerate how inexpensive something is.

En ese país, la gasolina es más barata que el agua.

informal

"Comprar por dos pesetas"

To buy for very little money (referencing the old Spanish currency).

Ese terreno lo compró su abuelo por dos pesetas hace cincuenta años.

informal

"A precio de gallina flaca"

At the price of a skinny hen. A Latin American idiom meaning very cheap.

Vendió su coche a precio de gallina flaca porque necesitaba el dinero urgente.

informal

"Excusas baratas"

Cheap excuses; poor or unbelievable justifications.

No me vengas con excusas baratas, sé que no hiciste la tarea.

neutral

容易混淆

barato/a vs Económico

Both mean cheap/inexpensive.

'Económico' sounds more professional and never implies low quality, whereas 'barato' can sometimes imply that something is poorly made.

Para el informe de la empresa, usa 'económico' en lugar de 'barato'.

barato/a vs Asequible

Both relate to affordability.

'Asequible' means accessible or within one's financial reach, often used for larger, systemic costs like housing, rather than small everyday items.

Necesitamos viviendas más asequibles en esta ciudad.

barato/a vs Tacaño

In English, 'cheap' can mean inexpensive (items) or stingy (people).

In Spanish, 'barato' is ONLY for items/services. 'Tacaño' is ONLY for people who don't like to spend money.

Mi tío no quiere pagar la cena, es muy tacaño (NOT es muy barato).

barato/a vs Rebajado

Both relate to low prices.

'Rebajado' specifically means that the price has been reduced from its original amount (discounted), while 'barato' just means the price is low, regardless of whether it was reduced.

El abrigo es caro, pero hoy está rebajado.

barato/a vs Ganga

Both are used when finding a good deal.

'Barato' is an adjective (cheap), while 'ganga' is a noun (a bargain).

Este coche es muy barato; es una verdadera ganga.

句型

[Noun] + es/son + barato(s)/barata(s).

El libro es barato.

[Noun] + es + más barato que + [Noun].

El agua es más barata que el vino.

[Noun] + está(n) + barato(s)/barata(s) + [Time expression].

Las manzanas están baratas hoy.

Es el/la [Noun] + más barato/a + de + [Place].

Es el restaurante más barato de la ciudad.

Comprar/Vender + barato.

Me gusta comprar barato en las rebajas.

Aunque + [Noun] + es barato, + [Clause].

Aunque el alquiler es barato, el barrio es ruidoso.

El abaratamiento de + [Noun] + ha provocado + [Clause].

El abaratamiento de la tecnología ha provocado más basura electrónica.

Lo barato + [Verb phrase].

Lo barato se erige como un espejismo en la sociedad de consumo.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Extremely High. It is one of the top 1000 most frequently used words in the Spanish language.

常见错误

Las gafas son barato. → Las gafas son baratas.
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun. 'Gafas' is feminine plural, so 'barato' must become 'baratas'.
Mi amigo es muy barato, nunca paga. → Mi amigo es muy tacaño, nunca paga.
English speakers often use 'cheap' to mean 'stingy'. In Spanish, 'barato' is only used for the price of items. For a stingy person, use 'tacaño'.
Compré un barato coche. → Compré un coche barato.
In Spanish, descriptive adjectives like 'barato' generally follow the noun they modify, unlike in English where they precede the noun.
El tomate es barato hoy. → El tomate está barato hoy.
When describing a temporary price, such as a daily sale or seasonal fluctuation, you must use the verb 'estar', not 'ser'.
Es mucho barato. → Es muy barato.
To say 'very cheap', use the adverb 'muy'. 'Mucho' means 'a lot' or 'much' and cannot be used directly before an adjective like this.

小贴士

Check Your Endings

Always look at the noun before you say 'barato'. If the noun ends in 'a' (like la camisa), the adjective must end in 'a' (barata). If it's plural (las camisas), add an 's' (baratas).

Upgrade to Económico

If you are in a business meeting or writing a formal essay, swap 'barato' for 'económico'. It sounds much more professional and sophisticated.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask

In many Spanish-speaking markets, prices aren't fixed. Asking '¿Tiene algo más barato?' (Do you have something cheaper?) is a normal part of the shopping experience.

Memorize the Proverb

Learn the phrase 'Lo barato sale caro'. Native speakers use it all the time, and dropping it into a conversation will make your Spanish sound very natural.

Ser vs. Estar

Use 'ser' for things that are always cheap (like a budget airline). Use 'estar' for things that are cheap right now (like fruit in season).

Soft 'B' and Tapped 'R'

Don't pop the 'b' too hard, and make sure the 'r' is a single tap against the roof of your mouth, not a hard English 'r' or a rolled Spanish 'rr'.

Never Call People Barato

Remember that 'barato' is for things, not people's personalities. If your friend never wants to pay for dinner, call them 'tacaño', not 'barato'.

Adjective Placement

Keep 'barato' after the noun. 'Un coche barato' is correct. 'Un barato coche' sounds like poetry gone wrong.

Learn 'Ganga'

If you find an amazing deal, don't just say it's 'muy barato'. Say '¡Es una ganga!' (It's a steal/bargain!). It shows a higher level of vocabulary.

Spanish Slang

If you are in Spain and want to sound like a local, say something is 'tirado de precio' when it's incredibly cheap.

记住它

记忆技巧

Imagine buying a BAR at a low price, so you say 'This BAR AT O (zero) dollars is very cheap!' -> BARATO.

视觉联想

Visualize a large, bright yellow price tag with '$0.99' written on it, attached to a heavy gold bar. The gold BAR is cheap -> BARATO.

Word Web

Dinero (Money) Comprar (To buy) Tienda (Store) Mercado (Market) Precio (Price) Caro (Expensive) Oferta (Sale) Ganga (Bargain)

挑战

Next time you go to the grocery store, look at the prices of different items. In your head, point to the inexpensive items and say 'Esto es barato' (This is cheap) or 'Esta fruta es barata' (This fruit is cheap), making sure to match the gender.

词源

The word 'barato' comes from the Old Spanish 'baratar', which meant 'to barter' or 'to trade'. This verb, in turn, is believed to derive from the Celtic root '*bargo-', meaning 'to trade' or 'to deceive', which also gave us the English word 'barter'.

原始含义： Originally, it referred to the act of trading or haggling, and over time, it evolved to describe the result of a successful haggle: something acquired for a low price.

Indo-European > Celtic (hypothesized) > Vulgar Latin > Old Spanish

文化背景

Be cautious when using 'barato' to describe someone's services or professional work, as it can be insulting. Use 'económico' or 'competitivo' instead.

English speakers often use 'cheap' as an insult (e.g., 'he is so cheap'). While 'barato' can imply low quality, to call a person stingy in Spanish, you would use 'tacaño', not 'barato'.

The phrase 'Bueno, bonito y barato' is a legendary marketing slogan used across the Spanish-speaking world. Many traditional folk songs mention the struggles of poverty and the search for 'pan barato' (cheap bread). In literature, describing a character's clothing as 'barata' is a common shorthand for establishing their socioeconomic status.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Shopping at a market

¿Cuánto cuesta?
¿Tiene algo más barato?
Es muy caro.
Me lo llevo.

Booking travel

Vuelos baratos
Hotel económico
El billete más barato
Viajar barato

Discussing household budget

La vida está cara
Buscar ofertas
Comprar barato
Ahorrar dinero

Eating out

Restaurante barato
Menú del día
Comida económica
La cuenta, por favor

Critiquing quality

Lo barato sale caro
Mala calidad
Se rompió rápido
No vale la pena

对话开场白

"¿Cuál es el lugar más barato para comer por aquí?"

"¿Prefieres comprar ropa barata o invertir en marcas caras?"

"¿Crees que siempre es cierto que 'lo barato sale caro'?"

"¿Dónde encuentras los vuelos más baratos para tus vacaciones?"

"¿Qué es lo más barato que has comprado y que te ha durado mucho tiempo?"

日记主题

Escribe sobre una vez que compraste algo muy barato y resultó ser de excelente calidad.

Describe tu tienda favorita para encontrar cosas baratas y por qué te gusta.

¿Estás de acuerdo con el dicho 'lo barato sale caro'? Da un ejemplo de tu propia vida.

Imagina que tienes que organizar una fiesta con un presupuesto muy bajo. ¿Cómo harías para que todo fuera barato pero divertido?

Compara el costo de vida en tu ciudad con otra ciudad que conozcas. ¿Dónde es más barato vivir?

常见问题

10 个问题

Yes, absolutely. 'Barato' is an adjective, so it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use 'barato' for masculine singular, 'barata' for feminine singular, 'baratos' for masculine plural, and 'baratas' for feminine plural. For example, 'el coche barato' but 'las casas baratas'.

No, this is a common mistake made by English speakers. In English, you can call a person 'cheap', but in Spanish, calling someone 'barato' sounds strange or even insulting in a different way. To say someone is stingy, use the word 'tacaño'.

'Ser barato' means something is generally or permanently cheap (e.g., 'Esa tienda es barata' - That store is known for low prices). 'Estar barato' means something is temporarily cheap, like on sale or due to seasonal changes (e.g., 'Los tomates están baratos hoy' - Tomatoes are cheap today).

It is not a bad word, and its primary meaning is simply 'inexpensive'. However, just like in English, it can sometimes carry a negative connotation of low quality depending on the context. If you want to be safe and sound professional, use 'económico'.

In Spanish, descriptive adjectives like 'barato' almost always go AFTER the noun they modify. You should say 'un hotel barato' (a cheap hotel), not 'un barato hotel'.

To say 'cheaper', you use the comparative structure 'más barato' (or barata/os/as). For example, 'El autobús es más barato que el taxi' (The bus is cheaper than the taxi).

To say 'the cheapest', use the superlative structure: definite article + más + barato. For example, 'el más barato' (the cheapest one, masculine) or 'la tienda más barata' (the cheapest store).

This is a very famous Spanish proverb that translates to 'what is cheap ends up being expensive'. It is a warning that buying low-quality, cheap items often means you will have to replace them soon, costing you more money in the long run.

Yes, in certain fixed phrases, 'barato' can act as an adverb, meaning it doesn't change gender or number. Common examples are 'comprar barato' (to buy cheaply) and 'vender barato' (to sell cheaply).

If you are writing a business email or speaking in a formal setting, it is better to use 'económico' or 'asequible'. These words convey affordability without any potential negative connotations regarding quality.