rẻ như bùn

/zɛ̂ nʲɨ̂ bɨ̀n/
idiom★Intermediate— extremely cheap◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
Something is so inexpensive that it is compared to the low value of mud.
Literal Meaning
Cheap like mud.
Literal Breakdown
rẻcheap+nhưlike+bùnmud
◇ Mental Image
The mental image of mud, which is common and low-value, is used to describe something that is very cheap.
◈ When to Use
When someone buys a very cheap item and is unsure about its quality, they might say it's 'rẻ như bùn'.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects a cultural attitude toward value and quality, where something very cheap is often seen as potentially low-quality.
informal

Describes something that is very inexpensive, often to the point of being of questionable quality or value.

Mình mua cái điện thoại rẻ như bùn, nhưng nó hỏng sau một tuần.

I bought a phone that was dirt cheap, but it broke after a week.

Cửa hàng này bán đồ rẻ như bùn, nhưng không ai tin tưởng.

This store sells things that are cheap as dirt, but no one trusts it.

💡

This idiom emphasizes the low cost of an item, often implying that the quality may not be good.

Related Phrases

rẻ như rácidiom
extremely cheap

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this phrase when describing something that is very inexpensive, often with a hint of skepticism about its quality.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While useful, overusing this phrase can make your speech sound negative or dismissive.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines 'rẻ' (cheap) with 'bùn' (mud), suggesting something as common and low-value as mud.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe very low prices, often with a negative connotation about quality.

Word Breakdown

rẻ
cheap
root
+
như
like
root
+
bùn
mud
root
Từ Điển Việt Anh