Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cheaply'

English Word: cheaply

Key Russian Translations:

• дешево [dʲɪˈʂɛ.və] - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about purchases and costs, but not as frequent as basic verbs).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers to grasp as it corresponds directly to simple adverbial concepts in English).

Pronunciation (Russian):

дешево: [dʲɪˈʂɛ.və]

Note on дешево: The "ш" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the "sh" in "she" in English, but pay attention to the stress on the second syllable for natural flow. Variations in regional accents may soften the "ш" in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: In a cheap manner, at a low cost (adverb indicating affordability or low expense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• дешево - Used in informal contexts for describing purchases, transactions, or general affordability, often in everyday shopping or bargaining scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил эту куртку дешево на рынке.

  I bought this jacket cheaply at the market.

• Она всегда находит вещи дешево в интернет-магазинах.

  She always finds things cheaply in online stores.

• Мы поели дешево в маленьком кафе.

  We ate cheaply at a small cafe.

• Если купить билеты дешево заранее, это сэкономит деньги.

  If you buy tickets cheaply in advance, it will save money.

• Эта услуга предоставляется дешево для студентов.

  This service is provided cheaply for students.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дешево is an adverb in Russian and does not undergo typical inflectional changes like nouns or verbs. It remains invariant across contexts, making it simple for learners. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • недорого - Similar to "дешево" but often implies "not expensive" with a slightly more neutral tone, used in formal contexts.
  • выгодно - Means "advantageously" or "profitably," emphasizing value for money rather than just low cost.
• Antonyms:
  • дорого - Means "expensively," directly opposite in the context of cost.
  • невыгодно - Means "unprofitably" or "disadvantageously," highlighting poor value.

Related Phrases:

• купить дешево - To buy cheaply; used when discussing bargains or sales (e.g., in markets or online).
• продать дешево - To sell cheaply; common in negotiations or when clearing inventory.
• дешево и сердито - Cheaply and angrily (an idiomatic expression meaning "cheap and cheerful," implying something is inexpensive but effective).

Usage Notes:

дешево directly corresponds to the English adverb "cheaply," focusing on low cost without negative connotations like "shoddily." It is most appropriate in informal or everyday speech; for formal writing, consider "недорого" for a more polished tone. Always place it after the verb it modifies (e.g., "купить дешево" rather than at the beginning of a sentence). When choosing between translations, use "дешево" for straightforward affordability and "недорого" if emphasizing reasonable pricing.

• In questions or negatives, it integrates smoothly: e.g., "Можно ли купить это дешево?" (Can this be bought cheaply?).
• Be mindful of context; in Russian culture, bargaining is common, so this word often appears in transactional dialogues.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "дешево" (an adverb) with its adjectival form "дешевый" (cheap). For example, a common mistake is saying "Я хочу дешево вещь" instead of the correct "Я хочу дешёвую вещь" for "I want a cheap thing." The error occurs because English "cheap" can function as both adjective and adverb, but in Russian, they are distinct. Correct usage: Use "дешево" only as an adverb (e.g., "Я купил это дешево"). Another error is overusing it in formal contexts; instead, opt for "недорого" to avoid sounding casual.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "дешево" are tied to the tradition of bargaining in markets (e.g., at flea markets or bazaars), where negotiating prices is a social norm. This reflects a historical emphasis on resourcefulness due to economic fluctuations, making "дешево" not just about cost but about smart, everyday survival strategies.

Related Concepts:

• экономно
• выгодный
• скидка