Bon marché

Expression: Bon marché

Pronunciation: [ bo(n) mar shay]

Meaning: inexpensive, cheap

Literal translation: good deal

Register: normal

Notes

The French expression bon marché might be translated by either "inexpensive" or "cheap." Like the latter, bon marché can be both positive (indicating a reasonable price) and negative (insulting the product's quality).

Bon marché is invariable in gender and number: it does not change to agree with the noun it modifies.

Examples

    Je cherche un cadeau bon marché.

   I'm looking for an inexpensive gift.

 

    Avez-vous des voitures bon marché ?

   Do you have any cheap cars?

However, bon marché can be made comparative and superlative:

    Je préfère la télévision meilleur marché, même si elle est un peu plus petite.

   I prefer the cheaper TV, even though it's a little smaller.

 

    Il a acheté les chaussures les meilleur marché.

   He bought the least expensive shoes.

​Synonyms (Positive and Negative)

• un bon rapport qualité-prix - good value
• une bonne affaire - good deal
• un prix avantageux - bargain price
• pas cher - inexpensive
• une mauvaise affaire - bad deal
• la pacotille - cheap piece of junk

More

• Expressions with bon
• French shopping vocabulary
• Most common French phrases
• Invariable adjectives