Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cheap" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cheap", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
安い
やすい (yasui)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
やすい
やすい (yasui)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cheap" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 安い and やすい.
In Japanese, 安い (やすい (yasui)) is typically associated with "cheap, inexpensive" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents An い-adjective used to describe low cost or price. Opposite of 高い when referring to price..
On the other hand, やすい (やすい (yasui)) maps to "cheap, easy (to do)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Can mean 'cheap' in price. A literal translation of "cheap" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "安い"
このスーパーは野菜が安いです。
Vegetables are cheap at this supermarket.
Bilingual Context for "やすい"
このパソコンは安くて使いやすいです。
This computer is cheap and easy to use.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このスーパーは野菜が ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "Vegetables are cheap at this supermarket.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "安い" fits here because it means "cheap, inexpensive" in the context of: "Vegetables are cheap at this supermarket.". "やすい" represents "cheap, easy (to do)".