A2 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

安い午後

cheap afternoon

Use this phrase to suggest or describe fun, low-cost activities like park walks or library visits.

En 15 secondes

  • An afternoon spent on budget-friendly or free activities.
  • Commonly used when planning frugal outings with friends.
  • Reflects the Japanese cultural value of resourceful saving.

Signification

This phrase describes spending your afternoon doing activities that cost very little or no money at all. It is a practical way to talk about budget-friendly fun like walking in a park or visiting a library.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Suggesting a plan to a friend

今日は公園で安い午後を過ごしましょう。

Let's have a cheap afternoon at the park today.

🤝
2

Reflecting on a weekend

昨日は図書館に行って、とても安い午後でした。

Yesterday I went to the library; it was a very cheap afternoon.

😊
3

Budgeting during a business trip

午後は無料の博物館で安い午後を楽しみます。

I will enjoy a cheap afternoon at a free museum this afternoon.

💼
🌍

Contexte culturel

In Japan, the concept of 'setsuyaku' (frugality) is highly respected and often gamified. Many popular magazines and TV segments focus on how to enjoy life in Tokyo or Osaka for under 1,000 yen. This phrase reflects the modern reality of urban living where finding 'free spots' is a valued skill.

💡

The 'One-Coin' Secret

If you are planning a `安い午後`, look for signs that say 'ワンコイン' (One Coin). This means the activity or meal costs exactly 500 yen!

⚠️

Watch your tone

While being frugal is good, saying `安い午後` too often might make you sound like you are complaining about being broke. Balance it with positive words!

En 15 secondes

  • An afternoon spent on budget-friendly or free activities.
  • Commonly used when planning frugal outings with friends.
  • Reflects the Japanese cultural value of resourceful saving.

What It Means

安い午後 is a straightforward way to describe a low-cost block of time. It is not a deep idiom. It is a functional description of a frugal lifestyle choice. You are basically saying, "I want to have fun without spending my paycheck."

How To Use It

You use it as a noun phrase to describe your plans or your recent past. You can say you are "aiming for" a 安い午後 or that you "spent" one. It usually pairs well with verbs like 過ごす (to spend time) or 楽しむ (to enjoy). It is a great way to set expectations with friends so they don't suggest an expensive steakhouse.

When To Use It

Use this when you are chatting with friends about weekend plans. It is perfect for those days before payday. It works well when you are suggesting a walk, a visit to a free museum, or just hanging out at a park. It feels honest and relatable. Everyone loves a bargain, right?

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this phrase in high-end social settings or business negotiations. Calling a business lunch a 安い午後 might make you look stingy or unprofessional. Also, be careful on a first date. Unless you both love being frugal, it might come off as a bit unromantic. Nobody wants to feel like a "budget option."

Cultural Background

Japan has a massive culture of 節約 (setsuyaku), or saving money. From "one-coin" (500 yen) lunches to free "antenna shops" in Tokyo, finding high-quality free fun is a hobby for many. Spending a 安い午後 is often seen as being smart and resourceful rather than just being poor. It is about the "simple life."

Common Variations

You might hear 安上がりの午後 (yasuagari no gogo). This implies the afternoon *ended up* being cheap, perhaps surprisingly so. You can also swap the time of day. Try 安い週末 (yasui shuumatsu) for a "cheap weekend." The structure is very flexible for any budget-conscious traveler.

Notes d'usage

This phrase is safe for daily use with friends and family. It is neutral in formality, but avoid using it in contexts where 'cheapness' could be interpreted as 'low quality' or 'lack of effort.'

💡

The 'One-Coin' Secret

If you are planning a `安い午後`, look for signs that say 'ワンコイン' (One Coin). This means the activity or meal costs exactly 500 yen!

⚠️

Watch your tone

While being frugal is good, saying `安い午後` too often might make you sound like you are complaining about being broke. Balance it with positive words!

💬

Free Tea Culture

Many Japanese department stores have free rest areas with water or tea dispensers. It is the ultimate hack for a `安い午後`.

Exemples

6
#1 Suggesting a plan to a friend
🤝

今日は公園で安い午後を過ごしましょう。

Let's have a cheap afternoon at the park today.

A polite suggestion for a low-cost outing.

#2 Reflecting on a weekend
😊

昨日は図書館に行って、とても安い午後でした。

Yesterday I went to the library; it was a very cheap afternoon.

Using the phrase to describe a past event.

#3 Budgeting during a business trip
💼

午後は無料の博物館で安い午後を楽しみます。

I will enjoy a cheap afternoon at a free museum this afternoon.

A professional yet personal way to share travel plans.

#4 Texting a sibling
😊

給料日前だから、安い午後しか無理!

It's before payday, so I can only do a cheap afternoon!

Very casual and relatable use of the phrase.

#5 Humorous complaint about prices
😄

コーヒーが1000円?これは安い午後じゃないね。

Coffee is 1000 yen? This isn't a cheap afternoon, is it?

Using the phrase ironically to comment on high prices.

#6 Contentment in simplicity
💭

散歩するだけの安い午後も悪くないです。

A cheap afternoon just walking around isn't bad either.

Expressing emotional satisfaction with simple things.

Teste-toi

Complete the sentence to suggest a budget-friendly plan.

お金がないから、今日は___を過ごそう。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 安い午後

`安い午後` fits the context of not having money (`お金がない`).

How would you describe an afternoon spent at a free museum?

無料の美術館は、___にぴったりです。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 安い午後

Free museums are perfect for a 'cheap afternoon'.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of '安い午後'

Very Informal

Slangy or blunt.

安い午後でいいよ!

Neutral

Standard daily conversation.

安い午後を過ごしました。

Formal

Polite but slightly unusual for the topic.

安価な午後のひとときを過ごします。

Where to have a 安い午後

安い午後
🌳

Public Park

Walking and people-watching.

📚

Public Library

Reading for free.

🛍️

Window Shopping

Looking but not buying.

🌅

Riverbank

Watching the sunset.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not exactly an idiom, but a very natural way to describe a budget-friendly time. It is a literal combination of 安い (cheap) and 午後 (afternoon).

Yes! You can say 安い午前 (yasui gozen) for a cheap morning. The structure works for any time period.

In this context, it is usually neutral. However, if you describe someone else's gift as 安い, that is very rude. Using it for your own time is fine.

You could use 費用を抑えた午後 (hiyou o osaeta gogo), which means 'an afternoon with suppressed expenses.' It sounds much more professional.

Younger people might say 金欠の午後 (kinketsu no gogo), which literally means 'broke afternoon.' It is much more informal.

It's risky. It might make the date feel 'cheap.' Instead, use のんびりした午後 (a relaxed afternoon) to imply the same low-cost vibe without the price tag focus.

No, it just describes the cost. You can have a 安い午後 that is also a 最高の午後 (the best afternoon).

You can say 安い午後を過ごしたいです (Yasui gogo o sugoshitai desu).

Visiting shrines, walking through Yoyogi Park, or exploring 'Shotengai' (shopping streets) without buying big items.

Yes, 安上がり (yasuagari) specifically means 'low-cost' or 'economical.' It sounds a bit more like you are proud of the bargain you found.

Expressions liées

安上がり

Inexpensive / Economical

節約

Saving / Frugality

のんびり過ごす

To spend time leisurely

ワンコインランチ

500-yen (one coin) lunch

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