rẻ như bánh mì

/zɛ́ ɲɨ̂ baɲ mì/
phrase★Intermediate— extremely cheap◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
Describes something that is extremely inexpensive, often to the point of being suspiciously cheap.
Literal Meaning
As cheap as a baguette
Literal Breakdown
rẻcheap+nhưlike+bánh mìbaguette
◇ Mental Image
The mental image of a baguette, which is a very common and affordable food item in Vietnam, used to emphasize the low cost of something.
◈ When to Use
When shopping at a market and seeing a product priced much lower than usual, you might say 'Cái này rẻ như bánh mì, có phải hàng giả không?' (This is as cheap as a baguette, is it counterfeit?)
◉ Cultural Note
Bánh mì is a staple food in Vietnam, often sold for very low prices, making it a natural reference point for describing affordability.
informal

Describes something that is very inexpensive, often to the point of being suspiciously cheap or low-quality.

Cửa hàng bán đồ cũ này rẻ như bánh mì, nhưng bạn cần kiểm tra kỹ trước khi mua.

This secondhand store is extremely cheap, but you should check items carefully before buying.

Không nên mua đồ rẻ như bánh mì trên mạng, có thể là hàng giả.

You shouldn't buy things that are dirt cheap online; they might be counterfeit.

💡

This idiom is commonly used to describe prices that seem too good to be true, often implying potential quality issues.

Related Phrases

rẻ như rácidiom
extremely cheap

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This idiom reflects the common perception of bánh mì as a very affordable and accessible food item in Vietnam.

⚡Gold Rule

Usage

Use this phrase to describe prices that seem unusually low, often with a cautionary tone.

📖Word Origin

The phrase compares the price of something to the cost of a baguette (bánh mì), which is typically very affordable in Vietnam.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is widely used in everyday conversation to describe low prices, often with a hint of skepticism about quality.

Word Breakdown

rẻ
cheap
root
+
như
like
root
+
bánh mì
baguette
root
Từ Điển Việt Anh