Understanding "低价" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 低价
• Pinyin: dī jià
• Literal Meaning: low price
• Primary Meaning: a low price; inexpensive pricing; a price that is lower than usual or lower than competitors

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 低价 is commonly used in business, shopping, advertising, and price comparison contexts. It describes the price itself as being low, rather than directly describing the product as “cheap.”

In English, 低价 can often be translated as “low price,” “low-priced,” or “at a low price,” depending on the sentence.

It is often used in phrases such as:
- 低价商品: low-priced goods
- 低价出售: to sell at a low price
- 低价竞争: low-price competition
- 低价买入: to buy at a low price

A useful distinction: 低价 focuses on the price level, while 便宜 often means “cheap” or “inexpensive” and can describe the item or deal more naturally in everyday speech. For example, 这件衣服很便宜 means “This piece of clothing is cheap/inexpensive.” 这件衣服是低价出售的 means “This piece of clothing is being sold at a low price.”

低价 is slightly more formal and commercial than 便宜. You will see it often in advertisements, sales campaigns, investment discussions, and business reports.

• Character Breakdown:
• 低: low; short; below average
• 价: price; value

Together, 低价 literally means “low price.”

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 这家商店正在低价出售冬季衣服。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā shāngdiàn zhèngzài dī jià chūshòu dōngjì yīfu.

• English: This store is selling winter clothes at low prices.

• Chinese: 他以低价买了一台二手电脑。

• Pinyin: Tā yǐ dī jià mǎi le yì tái èrshǒu diànnǎo.

• English: He bought a second-hand computer at a low price.

• Chinese: 有些公司通过低价竞争来吸引顾客。

• Pinyin: Yǒuxiē gōngsī tōngguò dī jià jìngzhēng lái xīyǐn gùkè.
• English: Some companies attract customers through low-price competition.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese-speaking markets, 低价 is a common word in advertising and sales. You may see phrases like 低价促销, meaning “low-price promotion,” or 全场低价, meaning “low prices throughout the whole store.”

However, 低价 does not always imply good quality. Just like “low price” in English, it can be positive when talking about a good deal, but it can also suggest aggressive pricing or possibly lower quality, depending on the context. For example, 低价竞争 can sometimes have a negative meaning if companies are lowering prices too much and harming the market.

Conclusion

低价 means “low price” and is useful for talking about shopping, sales, business, and competition. Remember that 低 means “low” and 价 means “price,” so 低价 refers specifically to a low price rather than directly meaning “cheap” in every context.