“Cheap” in Japanese is 安い (やすい), pronounced yasui.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Cheap or inexpensive. The same kanji appears in 安心 (relief, peace of mind).
Example sentences
- この店は安いです。このみせはやすいです。This shop is cheap.
- もっと安いのはありますか。もっとやすいのはありますか。Do you have a cheaper one?
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 安い. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 安い やすい | cheap |
| Polite present | 安いです やすいです | is cheap |
| Negative | 安くないです やすくないです | isn’t cheap |
| Past | 安かったです やすかったです | was cheap |
| Past negative | 安くなかったです やすくなかったです | wasn’t cheap |
| て-form | 安くて やすくて | cheap and… |
| Adverb (く) | 安く やすく | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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What does {{安い}} mean?
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Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say cheap in Japanese?
Cheap in Japanese is 安い (やすい), pronounced “yasui”.
How do you write cheap in Japanese?
It's written 安い with kanji, or やすい in hiragana. Both are read yasui.
Is 安い on the JLPT?
Yes. 安い (yasui) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.