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barato means cheap — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: September 4, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

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

How do you say 'cheap' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'cheap' is 'barato'.
How do you pronounce 'barato' in Spanish?
Barato is pronounced bah-RAH-toh. The emphasis is on the second syllable.
How do you use 'barato' in a sentence?
You can use 'barato' before or after the noun it describes. For example: 'El libro es barato' (The book is cheap) or 'Compré un coche barato' (I bought a cheap car).
What is the English translation of 'barato'?
The English translation of 'barato' is 'cheap'.
Does 'barato' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'barato' changes to agree with the noun it modifies. For a singular feminine noun, use 'barata'. For plural masculine nouns, use 'baratos'. For plural feminine nouns, use 'baratas'.
Is 'barato' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'barato' is a very common word used in everyday Spanish conversations.
Does 'barato' have slang or double meanings?
While 'barato' primarily refers to price, it can sometimes imply low quality. In some contexts, it can also mean 'stingy' or 'mean', but this is less common.
Is 'barato' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'barato' are generally consistent across Spain and Latin America.

🔁 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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