German Phrase
Was ist am günstigsten?
Meaning
Literally ‘What is the cheapest?’, this question asks for the item, service, or option that has the lowest price among a set of alternatives. It is neutral and polite, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are comparing prices while shopping, booking travel, looking at menus, or planning a budget. It works well in stores, online shops, travel agencies, and even when asking friends for the best deal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wasistamgünstigsten?
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; here it asks for the item with the lowest price.
ist (verb ‘sein’)
Third‑person singular present of ‘sein’, linking the subject ‘Was’ with the predicate.
am (contraction of ‘an dem’)
In superlatives, ‘am’ introduces the adjective in its adverbial form.
günstigsten (superlative)
Superlative of the adjective ‘günstig’ (cheap, affordable). The ending –en is required after ‘am’.
🗨In Conversation
Was ist am günstigsten?
What is the cheapest?
Der Zug ist am günstigsten, das Ticket kostet nur 15 Euro.
The train is the cheapest; the ticket costs only 15 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Was ist am billigsten?
‘Billig’ often carries a negative connotation; native speakers prefer ‘günstig’ for a neutral, polite request.
Was ist das günstigste?
When using the superlative without a noun, you need ‘am …‑sten’; ‘das günstigste’ is only correct if you add a noun afterwards (e.g., ‘das günstigste Angebot’).
Was ist am günstigste?
The adjective must take the ‘‑en’ ending after ‘am’; dropping it makes the sentence ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Was kostet am wenigsten?
What costs the least?
Welches Angebot ist das billigste?
Which offer is the cheapest?
Was ist das preiswerteste?
What is the most cost‑effective?
Cultural Tip
In German, ‘günstig’ is the preferred word for ‘cheap’ when you want to keep a positive tone. ‘Billig’ can imply low quality, so native speakers often avoid it in polite conversation. Also, the superlative construction ‘am …‑sten’ is mandatory; saying ‘ist das günstigste’ sounds awkward unless you are naming a specific noun (e.g., ‘das günstigste Angebot’).