How to Say “Expensive” in Vietnamese: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning to express value and cost is crucial in any language. In Vietnamese, saying “expensive” goes beyond a single word; it involves understanding context, nuances, and different levels of expensiveness.

This article provides a detailed guide to mastering the various ways to say “expensive” in Vietnamese, along with practical examples and exercises to enhance your fluency. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this comprehensive resource will equip you with the necessary vocabulary and grammatical structures to confidently discuss prices and costs in Vietnamese.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Expensive” in Vietnamese
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of “Expensive”
5. Examples of “Expensive” in Vietnamese
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Expensive” in Vietnamese

The most common way to say “expensive” in Vietnamese is đắt. However, the Vietnamese language offers a variety of ways to express the concept of something costing a lot, each with its own specific nuance and usage. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effectively communicating and comprehending conversations about prices and value. The word “đắt” functions as an adjective, describing a noun (the item being discussed) as having a high price.

Beyond “đắt,” other terms can convey varying degrees of expensiveness or related concepts, such as “pricey,” “overpriced,” or “costly.” These alternative expressions provide a richer and more nuanced way to describe the cost of goods and services in Vietnamese. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will allow you to express yourself more accurately and understand a wider range of conversations.

Structural Breakdown

The adjective đắt typically follows the noun it modifies, which is a common structure in Vietnamese. This is different from English, where adjectives usually precede the noun. For instance, in English, you would say “an expensive car,” but in Vietnamese, it would be “xe hơi đắt” (car expensive). Understanding this word order is crucial for forming correct sentences.

Here are some common sentence structures using “đắt”:

• [Noun] + đắt (e.g., Chiếc áo này đắt. – This shirt is expensive.)
• [Noun] + rất đắt (e.g., Cái điện thoại này rất đắt. – This phone is very expensive.)
• [Noun] + quá đắt (e.g., Giá này quá đắt. – This price is too expensive.)

The adverbs rất (very) and quá (too) can be added before “đắt” to intensify the meaning. These adverbs are frequently used to emphasize the degree of expensiveness. Understanding how to incorporate these adverbs will help you convey the intensity of your feelings about a price.

Types and Categories of “Expensive”

There are several ways to categorize the concept of “expensive” in Vietnamese, each with its own distinct meaning:

1. Basic “Expensive”: Đắt

This is the most straightforward translation of “expensive.” It simply states that the price is high.

2. Very Expensive: Rất Đắt

Adding “rất” (very) intensifies the expensiveness. It implies that the price is significantly high.

3. Too Expensive: Quá Đắt

“Quá” (too) indicates that the price is beyond what is acceptable or affordable. It suggests that the price is unreasonably high.

4. Expensive Compared to Something: Đắt Hơn

Using “hơn” (more) allows you to compare the price of something to something else. For example, “đắt hơn cái kia” (more expensive than that one).

5. Overpriced: “Chặt Chém” (Slang)

This slang term describes a situation where someone is being charged an unfairly high price, often targeting tourists. It’s a more informal way to express that something is overpriced.

Examples of “Expensive” in Vietnamese

Here are some examples of how to use “expensive” in various contexts:

Table 1: Basic “Expensive” (Đắt)

The following table illustrates the usage of the word “đắt” in different sentence structures. Each example provides a clear context and translation to help you understand how to use this fundamental term.

Vietnamese	English Translation
Chiếc xe này đắt.	This car is expensive.
Giá thuê nhà ở đây đắt.	The rent here is expensive.
Vé máy bay vào mùa hè rất đắt.	Plane tickets in the summer are expensive.
Điện thoại iPhone đắt.	iPhones are expensive.
Ăn ở nhà hàng này đắt.	Eating at this restaurant is expensive.
Quần áo hàng hiệu đắt.	Designer clothes are expensive.
Thuốc men ở Việt Nam không đắt lắm.	Medicine in Vietnam is not very expensive.
Dịch vụ này đắt hơn dịch vụ kia.	This service is more expensive than that service.
Đi taxi ở thành phố này đắt.	Taking a taxi in this city is expensive.
Mua nhà ở trung tâm thành phố đắt.	Buying a house in the city center is expensive.
Thực phẩm nhập khẩu đắt.	Imported food is expensive.
Học phí ở trường quốc tế đắt.	Tuition at international schools is expensive.
Đồ điện tử ở đây đắt.	Electronics are expensive here.
Vàng đắt.	Gold is expensive.
Xăng đắt.	Gasoline is expensive.
Ăn uống ở khu du lịch đắt.	Eating and drinking in tourist areas is expensive.
Xem phim ở rạp này đắt.	Watching movies at this theater is expensive.
Dầu ăn đắt.	Cooking oil is expensive.
Đồ chơi đắt.	Toys are expensive.
Nước hoa đắt.	Perfume is expensive.
Sách ngoại văn đắt.	Foreign language books are expensive.
Đồ cổ đắt.	Antiques are expensive.
Bất động sản đắt.	Real estate is expensive.

Table 2: “Very Expensive” (Rất Đắt)

The following table illustrates the usage of the phrase “rất đắt” in various sentence structures. Each example provides a clear context and translation to help you understand how to use this term to express that something is very expensive.

Vietnamese	English Translation
Chiếc xe hơi này rất đắt.	This car is very expensive.
Kỳ nghỉ ở Maldives rất đắt.	A vacation in the Maldives is very expensive.
Việc học ở nước ngoài rất đắt.	Studying abroad is very expensive.
Kim cương rất đắt.	Diamonds are very expensive.
Thuê biệt thự rất đắt.	Renting a villa is very expensive.
Mua tác phẩm nghệ thuật rất đắt.	Buying artwork is very expensive.
Đi du lịch bằng du thuyền rất đắt.	Traveling by cruise ship is very expensive.
Ăn tối ở nhà hàng năm sao rất đắt.	Having dinner at a five-star restaurant is very expensive.
Sở hữu một chiếc du thuyền riêng rất đắt.	Owning a private yacht is very expensive.
Phẫu thuật thẩm mỹ rất đắt.	Cosmetic surgery is very expensive.
Mua đồ trang sức cao cấp rất đắt.	Buying high-end jewelry is very expensive.
Thuê máy bay riêng rất đắt.	Renting a private plane is very expensive.
Mua một hòn đảo riêng rất đắt.	Buying a private island is very expensive.
Trang phục thiết kế riêng rất đắt.	Custom-designed clothing is very expensive.
Dịch vụ tư vấn tài chính cao cấp rất đắt.	High-end financial consulting services are very expensive.
Mua rượu vang hảo hạng rất đắt.	Buying fine wine is very expensive.
Chăm sóc sức khỏe tại các bệnh viện tư nhân rất đắt.	Healthcare at private hospitals is very expensive.
Học lái máy bay rất đắt.	Learning to fly a plane is very expensive.
Nội thất cao cấp rất đắt.	Luxury furniture is very expensive.
Đồng hồ Thụy Sĩ rất đắt.	Swiss watches are very expensive.
Dịch vụ bảo vệ cá nhân rất đắt.	Personal security services are very expensive.
Thực phẩm hữu cơ nhập khẩu rất đắt.	Imported organic food is very expensive.
Mua xe cổ rất đắt.	Buying vintage cars is very expensive.

Table 3: “Too Expensive” (Quá Đắt)

The following table illustrates the usage of the phrase “quá đắt” in various sentence structures. Each example provides a clear context and translation to help you understand how to express that something is unreasonably expensive.

Vietnamese	English Translation
Giá này quá đắt, tôi không mua được.	This price is too expensive; I can’t afford it.
Cái áo này quá đắt so với chất lượng.	This shirt is too expensive for the quality.
Thuê nhà ở khu này quá đắt.	Renting a house in this area is too expensive.
Vé xem ca nhạc này quá đắt.	These concert tickets are too expensive.
Đồ ăn ở đây quá đắt so với các quán khác.	The food here is too expensive compared to other places.
Dịch vụ sửa chữa này quá đắt.	This repair service is too expensive.
Học phí trường này quá đắt so với các trường khác.	The tuition at this school is too expensive compared to other schools.
Tour du lịch này quá đắt.	This tour is too expensive.
Giá xăng hiện nay quá đắt.	The current gasoline price is too expensive.
Đồ điện tử ở cửa hàng này quá đắt.	Electronics at this store are too expensive.
Giá vé máy bay vào dịp lễ quá đắt.	Airplane tickets during the holidays are too expensive.
Chi phí sinh hoạt ở thành phố này quá đắt.	The cost of living in this city is too expensive.
Giá dịch vụ internet này quá đắt.	This internet service price is too expensive.
Mua sắm ở trung tâm thương mại này quá đắt.	Shopping at this mall is too expensive.
Giá thuê xe hơi quá đắt.	The car rental price is too expensive.
Dịch vụ trông trẻ quá đắt.	Babysitting services are too expensive.
Mua đồ thủ công mỹ nghệ ở đây quá đắt.	Buying handicrafts here is too expensive.
Giá đồ ăn vặt ở rạp chiếu phim quá đắt.	The price of snacks at the movie theater is too expensive.
Dịch vụ giặt ủi quá đắt.	Laundry services are too expensive.
Giá vé vào cửa khu vui chơi quá đắt.	The entrance fee to the amusement park is too expensive.
Chi phí gửi xe ở đây quá đắt.	The parking fee here is too expensive.
Giá cắt tóc ở salon này quá đắt.	The price of a haircut at this salon is too expensive.
Dịch vụ spa quá đắt.	Spa services are too expensive.

Table 4: “Expensive Compared To” (Đắt Hơn)

The following table illustrates the usage of the phrase “đắt hơn” in various comparative sentence structures. These examples will assist you in comparing prices and understanding how to express that something is more expensive than something else.

Vietnamese	English Translation
Chiếc áo này đắt hơn chiếc áo kia.	This shirt is more expensive than that shirt.
Ở đây mọi thứ đắt hơn ở quê tôi.	Everything here is more expensive than in my hometown.
Giá xăng ở Việt Nam đắt hơn ở Mỹ.	Gasoline prices in Vietnam are more expensive than in the US.
Nhà hàng này đắt hơn nhà hàng kia.	This restaurant is more expensive than that restaurant.
Điện thoại này đắt hơn điện thoại cũ của tôi.	This phone is more expensive than my old phone.
Sữa nhập khẩu đắt hơn sữa nội địa.	Imported milk is more expensive than domestic milk.
Học phí trường tư đắt hơn trường công.	Private school tuition is more expensive than public school tuition.
Khách sạn này đắt hơn khách sạn gần đó.	This hotel is more expensive than the hotel nearby.
Xe hơi mới đắt hơn xe hơi cũ.	New cars are more expensive than used cars.
Thịt bò đắt hơn thịt gà.	Beef is more expensive than chicken.
Ăn ở nhà hàng Pháp đắt hơn ăn ở nhà hàng Việt.	Eating at a French restaurant is more expensive than eating at a Vietnamese restaurant.
Thuốc tây đắt hơn thuốc bắc.	Western medicine is more expensive than traditional medicine.
Du lịch châu Âu đắt hơn du lịch châu Á.	Traveling in Europe is more expensive than traveling in Asia.
Đồ điện tử ở Nhật đắt hơn ở Việt Nam.	Electronics in Japan are more expensive than in Vietnam.
Vàng năm nay đắt hơn năm ngoái.	Gold is more expensive this year than last year.
Dịch vụ giao hàng nhanh đắt hơn dịch vụ giao hàng thường.	Express delivery is more expensive than standard delivery.
Xem phim 3D đắt hơn xem phim 2D.	Watching a 3D movie is more expensive than watching a 2D movie.
Quần áo mùa đông đắt hơn quần áo mùa hè.	Winter clothes are more expensive than summer clothes.
Thuê căn hộ ở trung tâm đắt hơn ở ngoại ô.	Renting an apartment in the center is more expensive than in the suburbs.
Vé tàu cao tốc đắt hơn vé tàu thường.	High-speed train tickets are more expensive than regular train tickets.
Ăn ở nhà hàng sang trọng đắt hơn ăn ở quán ăn bình dân.	Eating at a luxury restaurant is more expensive than eating at a regular eatery.
Dịch vụ bảo hiểm sức khỏe cao cấp đắt hơn bảo hiểm cơ bản.	Premium health insurance is more expensive than basic insurance.
Học đàn piano đắt hơn học guitar.	Learning piano is more expensive than learning guitar.

Table 5: “Overpriced” (Chặt Chém)

The following table illustrates the usage of the slang term “chặt chém” in different sentence structures. These examples will help you understand how to express that someone is being overcharged or ripped off, particularly in tourist situations.

Vietnamese	English Translation
Ở đây khách du lịch hay bị chặt chém.	Tourists often get ripped off here.
Tôi nghĩ họ đang chặt chém mình.	I think they are overcharging me.
Giá này là chặt chém rồi!	This price is a rip-off!
Đừng mua ở đó, chỗ đó chặt chém lắm.	Don’t buy there; that place overcharges a lot.
Họ chặt chém khách du lịch nước ngoài.	They rip off foreign tourists.
Cẩn thận, khu này hay chặt chém.	Be careful, this area is known for overcharging.
Tôi bị chặt chém khi đi taxi.	I got ripped off when taking a taxi.
Giá cả ở đây toàn là chặt chém.	The prices here are all rip-offs.
Chỗ này nổi tiếng là chặt chém khách hàng.	This place is famous for ripping off customers.
Tôi không muốn bị chặt chém, nên tôi sẽ mặc cả.	I don’t want to be ripped off, so I will bargain.
Họ chặt chém tôi một cách trắng trợn.	They blatantly ripped me off.
Đừng để bị chặt chém khi mua đồ lưu niệm.	Don’t get ripped off when buying souvenirs.
Khu chợ này nổi tiếng vì chặt chém du khách.	This market is famous for ripping off tourists.
Tôi cảm thấy mình bị chặt chém ở cửa hàng đó.	I feel like I was ripped off at that store.
Họ luôn chặt chém những người không biết giá.	They always rip off people who don’t know the prices.
Bạn phải mặc cả nếu không muốn bị chặt chém.	You have to bargain if you don’t want to be ripped off.
Cẩn thận với những người bán hàng rong, họ hay chặt chém.	Be careful with street vendors, they often overcharge.
Chúng ta đã bị chặt chém rồi, lần sau phải cẩn thận hơn.	We’ve been ripped off, we need to be more careful next time.
Họ chặt chém tôi vì biết tôi là người nước ngoài.	They ripped me off because they knew I was a foreigner.
Tôi không muốn quay lại đó nữa, họ chặt chém quá đáng.	I don’t want to go back there again; they overcharge too much.

Usage Rules

When using “đắt,” remember the Vietnamese word order: noun + adjective. Avoid placing “đắt” before the noun, as this is grammatically incorrect.

Use rất to emphasize that something is very expensive. Quá indicates that something is too expensive and unaffordable or unreasonable.

When comparing prices, use hơn after “đắt” to indicate “more expensive than.” Always specify what you are comparing to.

Be mindful that “chặt chém” is a slang term and should be used in informal settings. It’s best to avoid using it in formal situations or when speaking with someone you don’t know well.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is placing “đắt” before the noun, like in English. For example, saying *”đắt xe”* instead of *”xe đắt”*.

Another mistake is forgetting to use “hơn” when comparing prices. Saying *”Cái này đắt cái kia”* instead of *”Cái này đắt hơn cái kia”*.

Using “chặt chém” in formal situations is also a common mistake. Remember that it is a slang term.

Table 6: Correct vs. Incorrect Examples

This table highlights common errors made when using the word “expensive” in Vietnamese and provides the correct alternatives.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Đắt xe	Xe đắt	Word order: adjective follows noun
Cái này đắt cái kia	Cái này đắt hơn cái kia	Missing “hơn” for comparison
Hôm nay giá cả chặt chém quá! (said to a store owner)	Hôm nay giá cả hơi cao.	“Chặt chém” is too informal
Rất xe này đắt	Xe này rất đắt	Correct word order for emphasis
Quá áo này đắt	Áo này quá đắt	Correct word order for “too expensive”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese using “đắt”:

1. This book is expensive.
2. The shoes are expensive.
3. The food at that restaurant is expensive.
4. The rent in this city is expensive.
5. The tickets to the show are expensive.
6. Gasoline is expensive.
7. Gold is expensive.
8. Imported goods are expensive.
9. This service is expensive.
10. The course is expensive.

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese using “rất đắt”:

1. This diamond is very expensive.
2. The vacation was very expensive.
3. The car is very expensive.
4. The artwork is very expensive.
5. The jewelry is very expensive.
6. The watch is very expensive.
7. The furniture is very expensive.
8. The house is very expensive.
9. The clothes are very expensive.
10. The meal was very expensive.

Exercise 3: Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese using “quá đắt”:

1. This price is too expensive.
2. The shoes are too expensive for the quality.
3. The rent is too expensive in this area.
4. The tickets are too expensive for the show.
5. The food is too expensive at this place.
6. The service is too expensive.
7. The tuition is too expensive.
8. The tour is too expensive.
9. The gas is too expensive.
10. The electronics are too expensive.

Exercise 4: Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese using “đắt hơn”:

1. This shirt is more expensive than that shirt.
2. The food here is more expensive than in my hometown.
3. Gasoline is more expensive in Vietnam than in America.
4. This restaurant is more expensive than that restaurant.
5. This phone is more expensive than my old phone.
6. Imported milk is more expensive than local milk.
7. Private school is more expensive than public school.
8. This hotel is more expensive than the one nearby.
9. New cars are more expensive than used cars.
10. Beef is more expensive than chicken.

Exercise 5: Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese using “chặt chém”:

1. Tourists often get ripped off here.
2. I think they are overcharging me.
3. This price is a rip-off!
4. Don’t buy there; that place overcharges a lot.
5. They rip off foreign tourists.
6. Be careful, this area is known for overcharging.
7. I got ripped off when taking a taxi.
8. The prices here are all rip-offs.
9. This place is famous for ripping off customers.
10. I don’t want to be ripped off, so I will bargain.

Table 7: Answer Key for Practice Exercises

This table provides the correct answers to the practice exercises listed above.

Exercise	Question	Answer
1	This book is expensive.	Cuốn sách này đắt.
1	The shoes are expensive.	Đôi giày này đắt.
1	The food at that restaurant is expensive.	Đồ ăn ở nhà hàng đó đắt.
1	The rent in this city is expensive.	Giá thuê nhà ở thành phố này đắt.
1	The tickets to the show are expensive.	Vé xem chương trình này đắt.
1	Gasoline is expensive.	Xăng đắt.
1	Gold is expensive.	Vàng đắt.
1	Imported goods are expensive.	Hàng nhập khẩu đắt.
1	This service is expensive.	Dịch vụ này đắt.
1	The course is expensive.	Khóa học này đắt.
2	This diamond is very expensive.	Viên kim cương này rất đắt.
2	The vacation was very expensive.	Kỳ nghỉ đó rất đắt.
2	The car is very expensive.	Chiếc xe này rất đắt.
2	The artwork is very expensive.	Tác phẩm nghệ thuật này rất đắt.
2	The jewelry is very expensive.	Đồ trang sức này rất đắt.
2	The watch is very expensive.	Đồng hồ này rất đắt.
2	The furniture is very expensive.	Đồ nội thất này rất đắt.
2	The house is very expensive.	Ngôi nhà này rất đắt.
2	The clothes are very expensive.	Quần áo này rất đắt.
2	The meal was very expensive.	Bữa ăn đó rất đắt.
3	This price is too expensive.	Giá này quá đắt.
3	The shoes are too expensive for the quality.	Đôi giày này quá đắt so với chất lượng.
3	The rent is too expensive in this area.	Giá thuê nhà ở khu này quá đắt.
3	The tickets are too expensive for the show.	Vé xem chương trình này quá đắt.
3	The food is too expensive at this place.	Đồ ăn ở chỗ này quá đắt.
3	The service is too expensive.	Dịch vụ này quá đắt.
3	The tuition is too expensive.	Học phí quá đắt.
3	The tour is too expensive.	Chuyến du lịch này quá đắt.
3	The gas is too expensive.	Xăng quá đắt.
3	The electronics are too expensive.	Đồ điện tử quá đắt.
4	This shirt is more expensive than that shirt.	Áo này đắt hơn áo kia.
4	The food here is more expensive than in my hometown.	Đồ ăn ở đây đắt hơn ở quê tôi.
4	Gasoline is more expensive in Vietnam than in America.	Xăng ở Việt Nam đắt hơn ở Mỹ.
4	This restaurant is more expensive than that restaurant.	Nhà hàng này đắt hơn nhà hàng kia.
4	This phone is more expensive than my old phone.	Điện thoại này đắt hơn điện thoại cũ của tôi.
4	Imported milk is more expensive than local milk.	Sữa nhập khẩu đắt hơn sữa nội địa.
4	Private school is more expensive than public school.	Trường tư đắt hơn trường công.
4	This hotel is more expensive than the one nearby.	Khách sạn này đắt hơn khách sạn gần đây.
4	New cars are more expensive than used cars.	Xe mới đắt hơn xe cũ.
4	Beef is more expensive than chicken.	Thịt bò đắt hơn thịt gà.
5	Tourists often get ripped off here.	Ở đây khách du lịch hay bị chặt chém.
5	I think they are overcharging me.	Tôi nghĩ họ đang chặt chém tôi.
5	This price is a rip-off!	Giá này là chặt chém rồi!
5	Don’t buy there; that place overcharges a lot.	Đừng mua ở đó, chỗ đó chặt chém lắm.
5	They rip off foreign tourists.	Họ chặt chém khách du lịch nước ngoài.
5	Be careful, this area is known for overcharging.	Cẩn thận, khu này hay chặt chém.
5	I got ripped off when taking a taxi.	Tôi bị chặt chém khi đi taxi.
5	The prices here are all rip-offs.	Giá cả ở đây toàn là chặt chém.
5	This place is famous for ripping off customers.	Chỗ này nổi tiếng là chặt chém khách hàng.
5	I don’t want to be ripped off, so I will bargain.	Tôi không muốn bị chặt chém, nên tôi sẽ trả giá.

Advanced Topics

In Vietnamese, you can also use more nuanced ways to discuss expenses, such as:

• “Giá trên trời” (sky-high price): This idiom describes an extremely high price.
• “Đắt xắt ra miếng” (expensive but worth it): This phrase is used when something is expensive but of very high quality and worth the cost.
• “Cắt cổ” (cut the throat): This is a very strong term for overcharging, implying exploitation.

Understanding regional variations in pricing can also be helpful. Prices can vary significantly between major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and more rural areas.

FAQ

How do I ask if something is expensive in Vietnamese?

You can ask “Cái này đắt không?” (Is this expensive?) or “Giá bao nhiêu?” (How much is it?) and then assess if it is expensive based on the price given.

Is it rude to bargain in Vietnam?

No, bargaining is a common practice, especially in markets and smaller shops. However, it’s important to be polite and reasonable.

What does “mắc” mean?

In some regions, particularly in the South of Vietnam, “mắc” is used instead of “đắt” to mean “expensive.”

How do I say something is a good value for the price?

You can say “Giá này hợp lý” (This price is reasonable) or “Đáng giá” (Worth the price).

Is it common for prices to be negotiable in Vietnam?

Yes, prices are often negotiable, particularly in traditional markets and smaller shops. Don’t hesitate to bargain respectfully to get a better deal.

Conclusion

Mastering the various ways to say “expensive” in Vietnamese will significantly enhance your communication skills and cultural understanding. By learning the nuances of “đắt,” “rất đắt,” “quá đắt,” “đắt hơn,” and even slang terms like “chặt chém,” you’ll be well-equipped to navigate pricing discussions in Vietnam.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to context to use these terms effectively. With consistent effort, you’ll confidently express your thoughts on prices and values in Vietnamese.