What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
barato
Example
Ese vestido es muy barato. [barato: adjetivo]
Example
Encontré un lugar donde venden comida barata. [barata: sustantivo]
cheap
Example
I bought a cheap phone, but it broke after a week. [cheap: adjective]
Example
He always buys cheap clothes that don't last long. [cheap: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cheap is more commonly used than barato in everyday English. Cheap is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while barato is more specific to Spanish-speaking countries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between barato and cheap?
Both barato and cheap can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, cheap may be perceived as slightly more informal or colloquial compared to barato.