giá đắt như trời

/ɟaː˧˦ ɗat˧˥ ɲɯ˧˧ tʂoj˧˥/
phrase★Intermediate— extremely expensive◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
Something is so expensive that it feels beyond reasonable or affordable limits.
Literal Meaning
The price is like the sky (i.e., very high).
Literal Breakdown
giáprice+đắtexpensive+nhưlike+trờisky
◇ Mental Image
The sky is vast and limitless, symbolizing an extreme or unbounded level of expense.
◈ When to Use
A person complaining about the high cost of a product or service, such as 'This smartphone is priced like the sky!'
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Vietnamese cultural tendency to use exaggerated comparisons to express strong emotions, similar to English phrases like 'costs an arm and a leg.'
informal

Describes something that is prohibitively expensive, often to an exaggerated or unreasonable degree.

Cái nhà mới này giá đắt như trời, nhưng nó rất đẹp.

This new house is extremely expensive, but it's very beautiful.

Giá xe hơi ngày nay giá đắt như trời.

Car prices these days are sky-high.

💡

Often used to express frustration or disbelief at high prices.

Related Phrases

giá cao như trờiidiom
extremely expensive

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This phrase is best used in informal settings to express strong feelings about high prices.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Use this phrase sparingly to maintain its impact, as overuse can dilute its expressive power.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines 'giá đắt' (expensive) with 'như trời' (like the sky), emphasizing an exaggerated or extreme level of expense.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to express shock or dismay at high prices, often in everyday conversations or discussions about consumer goods.

Word Breakdown

giá đắt
expensive
root
+
như trời
like the sky
root
Từ Điển Việt Anh