Japanese word of the day: 安い (Yasui)

What does 安い (Yasui) mean?

安い (Yasui) (い-adjective) – Cheap; inexpensive; low-priced. This word is used to describe anything that doesn’t cost much, from groceries and meals to rent and travel. It can also mean “easy” in some set phrases, but its main use is for talking about price.

Kanji details for 安

Character: 安 — relax, cheap, low, quiet, rested, contented, peaceful
Radical: roof 宀

Example sentences with 安い (Yasui)

• この店の野菜はとても安いです。
  (Kono mise no yasai wa totemo yasui desu.)
  🥦 The vegetables at this store are very cheap.

• 安いホテルを探しています。
  (Yasui hoteru o sagashiteimasu.)
  🏨 I’m looking for a cheap hotel.

• このシャツは安いけど、質がいいです。
  (Kono shatsu wa yasui kedo, shitsu ga ii desu.)
  👕 This shirt is cheap, but the quality is good.

安い (Yasui) in context

安い is the go-to word for talking about bargains, deals, and anything that won’t break the bank. You’ll hear it everywhere in Japan, from supermarkets and restaurants to travel agencies and online shopping. If you want to ask, “Is this cheap?” just say, “これは安いですか？” (Kore wa yasui desu ka?).

A quick tip: While 安い means “inexpensive,” it can sometimes imply “low quality” if you’re not careful with your tone or context. If you want to highlight a good deal without suggesting poor quality, you can add, “安いけど、質がいい” (cheap, but good quality).

Whether you’re hunting for bargains, comparing prices, or just happy to save a little money, 安い is a word you’ll use all the time in daily Japanese life.