economy
vs
cheap

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"Economy" is a noun which is often translated as "la economía", and "cheap" is an adjective which is often translated as "barato". Learn more about the difference between "economy" and "cheap" below.

economy(

nuh

)

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).

noun

1. (system)

a. la economía

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

During recessions there is not enough money circulating in the economy.En épocas de recesión no hay suficiente dinero circulando en la economía.

2. (thrift)

a. la economía

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

Its economy of resources makes this method preferable.Por su economía de recursos, este método resulta preferible.

3. (saving)

a. el ahorro

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

The revised plan meant an economy of 10 million dollars.El plan modificado supuso un ahorro de 10 millones de dólares.

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

4. (cheap)

a. económico

Rent an economy car if you are on a budget.Rente un auto económico si su presupuesto es ajustado.

5. (pack or size)

a. familiar

The economy pack gives you best value for money.El envase familiar es con el que más ahorra.

cheap(

chip

)

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

1. (inexpensive)

a. barato

This store is really cheap.Esta tienda es muy barata.

b. económico

It's sometimes cheaper to fly than drive.A veces resulta más económico ir en avión que en coche.

2. (of poor quality)

a. barato

The apartment was furnished with cheap furniture that wouldn't last.El apartamento tenía muebles baratos que no iban a durar nada.

b. vulgar

You've been tricked. This watch is only a cheap imitation of a Rolex.Te han engañado. Este reloj no es más que una vulgar imitación de un Rolex.

c. ordinario

That perfume makes me feel cheap.Ese perfume me hace sentir ordinaria.

3. (vulgar)

a. de mal gusto (jokes or comments)

John seems to love telling cheap jokes.A Juan parece que le encanta contar chistes de mal gusto.

b. rastrero (behavior)

He is well-known for his cheap tactics to get ahead.Es famoso por sus tácticas rastreras para medrar.

4. (easy)

a. fácil

The script was full of cheap laughs.Era un guión de risa fácil.

5. (stingy)

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

a. tacaño

My cheap uncle wouldn't even pay for our candy.El tacaño de mi tío ni siquiera nos pagaba las golosinas.

b. agarrado (colloquial)

He is so cheap that he invited me to his wedding reception on condition that I paid for my meal.Es tan agarrado que me invitó a su boda con la condición de que me pagara mi propio cubierto.

c. codo

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama

(Central America)

Regionalism used in Mexico

(Mexico)

My boss is really cheap; at Christmas he gave everybody a piece of gum.Mi jefe es bien codo; en Navidad nos regaló a cada uno un chicle.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

6. (inexpensively)

a. barato