piányi: 便宜 - Cheap, Inexpensive; To let someone off easy

• Keywords: 便宜 pinyin, 便宜 meaning, pianyi, cheap in Chinese, inexpensive in Chinese, Chinese word for cheap, let someone off easy in Chinese, take advantage in Chinese, 占便宜, zhan pianyi, 便宜 vs 划算.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 便宜 (piányi), which most commonly means “cheap” or “inexpensive.” This guide goes beyond the basic translation, exploring its second crucial meaning: “to let someone off easy” or “to give someone an undeserved advantage.” Discover the cultural significance of getting a good deal, the negative connotation of “taking advantage” (占便宜), and how to distinguish 便宜 from similar words like 划算 (huásuán), which means “good value.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): piányi
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 2 (as an adjective meaning “cheap”)
• Concise Definition: Cheap or inexpensive; to be of benefit to someone, often in an undeserved or easy way.
• In a Nutshell: 便宜 (piányi) is the most common word you'll use for “cheap” when talking about prices. However, it has a fascinating double meaning. Beyond just price, it can be used as a verb to describe letting someone get away with something or giving them an easy advantage. Understanding this second meaning is key to grasping subtle social cues and expressing more complex ideas in Chinese.

• 便 (pián): While this character is more famously pronounced `biàn` and means “convenient” or “then,” in this specific word it takes the `pián` pronunciation. It carries the sense of “ease” or “advantage.”
• 宜 (yí): This character means “suitable” or “appropriate.”
• When combined, 便宜 (piányi) literally suggests something “advantageously suitable” or “appropriately easy,” which logically extends to the idea of being “inexpensive.” This same logic of “making things easy for someone” also gives rise to the verb meaning “to let someone off easy.”

In China, bargaining and seeking a good price is a common and expected part of shopping in many markets. Getting something for a 便宜 price is a source of satisfaction. However, this is balanced by the important social concept of 占便宜 (zhàn piányi), which means “to take unfair advantage.” A Westerner might be proud of finding a loophole to get an expensive item for free, viewing it as being “savvy.” In Chinese culture, this could easily be seen as 占便宜—a selfish, opportunistic act that disregards fairness and the other person's potential loss. While getting a discount is good, being perceived as someone who unscrupulously seeks petty advantages (爱占小便宜 ài zhàn xiǎo piányi) can damage your reputation or `关系 (guānxi)`. The key difference lies in the perception of fairness: a bargained discount is a fair win, while an exploitative gain is a social foul.

As an Adjective (“cheap”): This is its most frequent use. You'll hear it constantly in stores, markets, and daily conversations about the cost of living. It's generally neutral, but can sometimes imply low quality, as in the saying `便宜没好货 (piányi méi hǎo huò)` - “cheap goods aren't good quality.” As a Verb (“to let someone off easy / to benefit someone”): This usage is highly contextual and carries a sense of fairness, or lack thereof. It often appears in situations where someone has made a mistake or is in a competition. Saying `这次算便宜你了 (zhè cì suàn piányi nǐ le)` means “Consider yourself lucky this time” or “I'm letting you off easy this time.” It implies the person deserved a worse outcome but was spared. The Phrase 占便宜 (zhàn piányi): This set phrase is extremely common and means “to take advantage of (someone or a situation).” It almost always has a negative connotation, describing someone who profits at the expense of others, whether in a small or large way.

• Example 1:
  • 这家商店的衣服很便宜。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn de yīfu hěn piányi.
  • English: The clothes at this store are very cheap.
  • Analysis: This is the most straightforward use of 便宜 as an adjective to describe a low price.
• Example 2:
  • 苹果五块钱一斤，太便宜了！
  • Pinyin: Píngguǒ wǔ kuài qián yī jīn, tài piányi le!
  • English: Apples are five kuai per half-kilo, that's so cheap!
  • Analysis: Used with `太…了 (tài…le)` to express surprise or excitement about a low price.
• Example 3:
  • 他犯了这么大的错误，不能就这么便宜了他！
  • Pinyin: Tā fànle zhème dà de cuòwù, bùnéng jiù zhème piányi le tā!
  • English: He made such a big mistake, we can't just let him off so easily!
  • Analysis: Here, 便宜 is a verb. The speaker is expressing that the person deserves a punishment or consequence and shouldn't be allowed to “get the benefit” of escaping it.
• Example 4:
  • 你迟到了，罚你请客，别想便宜了你。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ chídào le, fá nǐ qǐngkè, bié xiǎng piányi le nǐ.
  • English: You're late, so your punishment is to treat us. Don't think you're getting off easy.
  • Analysis: A common, slightly playful use of the verb form. It's a lighthearted way of saying “you won't get away with this.”
• Example 5:
  • 做人不要总想着占小便宜。
  • Pinyin: Zuòrén bùyào zǒng xiǎngzhe zhàn xiǎo piányi.
  • English: As a person, you shouldn't always be thinking about taking small advantages.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the key phrase `占便宜 (zhàn piányi)`. It's a piece of advice about personal conduct, warning against being opportunistic.
• Example 6:
  • 我只是想找个便宜点的旅馆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì xiǎng zhǎo ge piányi diǎn de lǚguǎn.
  • English: I'm just looking for a slightly cheaper hotel.
  • Analysis: The structure `便宜 + 点 (diǎn)` is a very common way to say “a bit cheaper.”
• Example 7:
  • 都说便宜没好货，但这件T恤质量还不错。
  • Pinyin: Dōu shuō piányi méi hǎo huò, dàn zhè jiàn T-xù zhìliàng hái bùcuò.
  • English: Everyone says you get what you pay for (lit: cheap things aren't good), but the quality of this T-shirt is actually not bad.
  • Analysis: This directly uses the common idiom `便宜没好货 (piányi méi hǎo huò)` to comment on the relationship between price and quality.
• Example 8:
  • 他利用规则的漏洞，占了公司一个大便宜。
  • Pinyin: Tā lìyòng guīzé de lòudòng, zhànle gōngsī yí ge dà piányi.
  • English: He exploited a loophole in the rules and took great advantage of the company.
  • Analysis: Shows a more serious use of `占便宜 (zhàn piányi)`, indicating a significant and unfair gain.
• Example 9:
  • 这次促销活动真是便宜了消费者。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì cùxiāo huódòng zhēnshi piányi le xiāofèizhě.
  • English: This sales promotion really benefited the consumers.
  • Analysis: A more neutral/positive use of the verb `便宜`, meaning “to be of benefit to.” Here, the benefit is seen as legitimate and positive.
• Example 10:
  • 你以为我不知道你在占我便宜吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǐwéi wǒ bù zhīdào nǐ zài zhàn wǒ piányi ma?
  • English: You think I don't know you're taking advantage of me?
  • Analysis: A confrontational use of `占便宜`. It's a direct accusation of someone exploiting the speaker's kindness or naivety.

• “Cheap” vs. “Good Value”: `便宜 (piányi)` vs. `划算 (huásuàn)`
  • This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 便宜 (piányi) refers to a low price in absolute terms. A pen that costs 1 RMB is `便宜`.
  • 划算 (huásuàn) refers to something being “good value for the money.” It's about the ratio of price to quality/quantity. A brand-new car sold at 50% off is not `便宜`, but it is extremely `划算`.
  • Incorrect: Don't say a discounted designer handbag is `很便宜`. It's still expensive.
  • Correct: Say the discounted handbag is `很划算`.
• The Negative Force of `占便宜 (zhàn piányi)`
  • English speakers might equate `占便宜` with being a “savvy shopper” or “getting a great deal.” This is a mistake. `占便宜` implies the gain is selfish and often at someone else's expense. It describes a character flaw, not a skill. Don't praise someone for being good at `占便宜`.
• Don't Confuse the Verb Meanings
  • The verb `便宜` does NOT mean “to make something cheaper” (that would be `降价 jiàngjià` or `打折 dǎzhé`). It means “to benefit someone” or “to let someone off easy.” The context is about fairness and consequences, not price adjustments.

• 划算 (huásuàn) - A crucial related concept meaning “good value for money” or “cost-effective,” distinct from simply being low-priced.
• 贵 (guì) - The direct antonym of `便宜`, meaning “expensive.”
• 占便宜 (zhàn piányi) - A key phrase using `便宜`. It means “to take unfair advantage” and is almost always negative.
• 廉价 (liánjià) - A synonym for “inexpensive,” but it's more formal and often carries a stronger connotation of being low-quality, mass-produced, or “cheap” in a negative sense.
• 实惠 (shíhuì) - Similar to `划算`, meaning “economical,” “practical,” or “providing a tangible benefit.” It emphasizes getting real, solid value.
• 打折 (dǎzhé) - A related action, meaning “to give a discount.” A discount is how something might become `便宜` or `划算`.
• 便宜没好货 (piányi méi hǎo huò) - A common idiom (chengyu) meaning “cheap things are not good quality,” equivalent to “you get what you pay for.”
• 贪小便宜 (tān xiǎo piányi) - A phrase describing the negative trait of being “greedy for small advantages.” Someone who does this `爱占便宜`.