vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Económica" is a form of "económico", an adjective which is often translated as "economic". "Más barato" is a phrase which is often translated as "cheaper". Learn more about the difference between "económica" and "más barato" below.
económico(
eh
-
koh
-
noh
-
mee
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. economic
Durante la crisis económica, tuve que vender mi carro y mi casa.During the economic crisis, I had to sell my car and my house.
2. (low-priced)
a. cheap
Esta carne picada es económica, pero contiene más grasa.This ground beef is cheap, but it has more fat.
b. economical
Me alcanzó para comprar un frigorífico pequeño y económico.I could only afford a small, economical fridge.
c. inexpensive
El hotel es viejo pero económico, y queda cerca de la playa.The hotel is old but inexpensive, and it's located near the beach.
d. low-cost
Voy a volar a Londres en una aerolínea económica.I'm flying to London with a low-cost airline.
a. financial
La pareja no dejó que los problemas económicos afectaran a su matrimonio.The couple didn't let financial problems affect their marriage.
a. economical
Compré un acondicionador de aire económico que usa un 20% menos de energía que el anterior.I bought an economical air conditioner that uses 20% less energy than the old one.
más barato(
mahs
bah
-
rah
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (adjective)
a. cheaper
El suéter verde es más barato que el azul, pero también es de peor calidad.The green sweater is cheaper than the blue one, but it's also worse quality.
2. (adverb)
a. more cheaply
Se vive más barato en una ciudad pequeña que en Madrid.You can live more cheaply in a small town than in Madrid.
b. cheaper
Puedes comprar ese pantalón más barato en el mercadillo.You can buy those pants cheaper in the flea market.
