Vietnamese · Adjectives
đắt
Expensive
Beginneradjective
Definition
Costing a lot of money; the south says mắc.
Example
Khách sạn này đắt quá.
This hotel is too expensive.
Etymology
The word 'đắt' originates from the Proto-Mon-Khmer term *ʔəʔs, meaning 'to be high in value.' Over time, it evolved in Vietnamese to specifically mean 'expensive' and is used widely in various contexts.
How & Where It’s Used
'Đắt' is commonly used in both spoken and written Vietnamese and can be found in both formal and informal registers. It is universally understood across regions of Vietnam, though nuances in connotation can vary in different contexts such as market discussions or financial reports.