barato means cheap — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.
📅 Published: September 4, 2025
barato
adjective • /[bah-RAH-toh]/
cheap
Example:
Busco un taxi barato al aeropuerto.
I'm looking for a cheap taxi to the airport.
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🧠 What does barato mean?
Barato is a Spanish adjective that means 'cheap' in English. It describes something that has a low price or costs less than expected. It can be used for both products and services. While it primarily refers to monetary value, it can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying low quality. Understanding the context is key to interpreting its full meaning.
📚 Extra examples
- Los zapatos son muy baratos.
The shoes are very cheap. - Encontré un vuelo barato a Madrid.
I found a cheap flight to Madrid. - Ese restaurante es barato y la comida es buena.
That restaurant is cheap and the food is good. - A veces, lo barato sale caro.
Sometimes, cheap turns out to be expensive (literally: what's cheap ends up expensive). - Compré un coche barato, pero ahora tengo que arreglarlo.
I bought a cheap car, but now I have to fix it.
❓ FAQ
🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "barato"
Synonyms: económico, asequible, ganga
Opposites: caro, costoso
💡 Did You Know?
The saying 'Lo barato sale caro' (what's cheap ends up expensive) is a common proverb in Spanish, highlighting that sometimes paying less initially can lead to greater expenses later on.
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