सस्ती किताब

Use this phrase just like you would in English. You can place it in the middle of a sentence. For example, "I am looking for a सस्ती किताब." You can also use it to describe a specific find. "This is a very सस्ती किताब." It’s a handy phrase for shopping. You’ll use it most often when browsing markets.

Use this when you are at a second-hand book stall. It’s perfect for chatting with friends about your latest hobby. If you are a student on a budget, this is your go-to phrase. Use it when you find a deal online too. It’s great for comparing prices at different shops. You might even use it when recommending a budget-friendly bookstore to a traveler.

Avoid using this if you want to sound very intellectual. In high-brow literary circles, people might prefer कम दाम (low price). Don't use it to imply a book is "low quality" or "trashy." While सस्ती can sometimes mean "low quality," it usually just means low cost. If an author shows you their new book, don't call it a सस्ती किताब! That might sound like you're insulting their hard work. Stick to using it for the price you paid.

India has a massive culture of street-side book markets. Places like Daryaganj in Delhi or College Street in Kolkata are famous. You can find piles of books on the pavement for pennies. In these places, finding a सस्ती किताब is like a sport. It’s a point of pride to find a classic for twenty rupees. Books are highly respected in India, but bargaining for them is totally normal.

If you find a really cheap one, you can say बहुत सस्ती किताब (very cheap book). If you are talking about multiple books, use सस्ती किताबें (sastī kitābeṃ). You might also hear किफायती किताब (kifāyatī kitāb), which means an economical or budget-friendly book. For a used book, people often say पुरानी किताब (purānī kitāb), which usually implies it will be सस्ती too.