That present is too expensive, do you have anything cheaper?

German translation: Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie etwas Billigeres?

05:25 Nov 17, 2001
English to German translations [Non-PRO]
Retail / retail
English term or phrase: That present is too expensive, do you have anything cheaper?
in a shop
Travis
German translation:Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie etwas Billigeres?
Explanation:
This is what you could say in a shop situation.
HTH
Verena
Selected response from:

Verena Moser
Local time: 00:51
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2Das ist als (für ein) Geschenk zu teuer. Haben Sie irgend etwas günstigeres?
Michaela Koncilia
5 +1Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie nicht etwas Günstigeres?
Mats Wiman
5 +1Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer, haben Sie etwas Günstigeres?
abtranslatio (X)
4 +2Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie etwas Billigeres?
Verena Moser
4 -1Cheaper is billiger ...
Uschi (Ursula) Walke


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie nicht etwas Günstigeres?


Explanation:
keine


    13 years in Germany
Mats Wiman
Sweden
Local time: 01:51
Native speaker of: Native in SwedishSwedish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ursula Peter-Czichi
57 mins
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer, haben Sie etwas Günstigeres?


Explanation:
Umgangssprache.
Falls gehobene Sprache:
Dieses Geschenk ist zu kostenspielig, haben Sie ein Preiswerteres?

abtranslatio (X)
Local time: 01:51

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michaela Müller: but: kostspielig
2 hrs
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Dieses Geschenk ist zu teuer. Haben Sie etwas Billigeres?


Explanation:
This is what you could say in a shop situation.
HTH
Verena

Verena Moser
Local time: 00:51
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Katharina Boewig: Völlig richtig, umgangsprachlich als auc
5 hrs

agree  Uschi (Ursula) Walke: cheaper is billiger, see more comment below
11 hrs
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Das ist als (für ein) Geschenk zu teuer. Haben Sie irgend etwas günstigeres?


Explanation:
Usually "present" ist translated "als Geschenk" or "für ein Geschenk". because you (always) buy a present not for yourself. And "Geschenk" is not an exactly defined thing (like "pullover, ring etc)

Michaela Koncilia
Local time: 01:51

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michaela Müller
2 hrs
  -> Thanx; i hope my explanation is not too complicated

agree  Ulrike Lieder (X): or: preiswerteres instead of günstiger. I fully agree, though, this is more idiomatic.
3 hrs
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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
Cheaper is billiger ...


Explanation:
I support Verena's answer. I wouldn't ask for anything cheap or billig ... but ...

If I didn't intend to spend much money for this present I would use cheap=billig. (I don't treasure the recipient, but I have to buy a present).

If I would like to buy something nice, but can't afford it, I would use
more reasonable=günstiger, preiswerter, preisgünstiger.

Günstig or preiswert means that I might get something valuable at a reasonable price.

On the other hand,

'Cheap' sets a standard, which translates to 'billig'.

HTH



Uschi (Ursula) Walke
Local time: 09:51
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  RWSTranslation: Billiger means a less value product, so an sales person will use günstiger or preiswerter, A pot. client often uses billiger, but i don't think, that billiger should be used as a standard.
1 day 10 hrs
  -> No, no standard! I just thought that cheap and billig have the same meaning. must be wrong.
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