German Phrase
Der Laden ist günstiger.
Meaning
The sentence states that a particular shop offers lower prices than other options. It uses the comparative form ‘günstiger’ to convey that the shop is more affordable, with the comparison implied from the context.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to recommend a cheaper store, compare prices while shopping, or comment that a shop you’re looking at has better deals than the alternatives.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DerLadenistgünstiger.
Definite article (Der)
‘Der’ is the masculine nominative singular article, matching ‘Laden’ (shop).
Verb ‘sein’ (ist)
‘ist’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘sein’ (to be), linking the subject to the predicate adjective.
Comparative adjective (günstiger)
‘günstig’ becomes ‘günstiger’ in the comparative; it can stand alone when the reference point is clear, without ‘als …’.
Word order
In a simple declarative sentence the verb ‘ist’ occupies the second position (V2), followed by the predicate adjective.
🗨In Conversation
Welchen Laden soll ich für das neue Handy wählen?
Which shop should I choose for the new phone?
Der Laden ist günstiger.
The shop is cheaper.
✕Common Mistakes
Der Laden ist billiger.
‘Billiger’ is technically correct but sounds informal or even rude in many contexts; prefer ‘günstiger’ or ‘preiswerter’ for polite speech.
Der Laden ist günstiger als.
If you add ‘als’ without specifying the comparison point, the sentence feels incomplete.
↔Alternatives
Der Laden ist preiswerter.
The shop is more inexpensive.
Der Laden hat niedrigere Preise.
The shop has lower prices.
Man kann dort günstiger einkaufen.
You can shop cheaper there.
Cultural Tip
In German, ‘günstig’ is the polite way to say ‘cheap’ or ‘affordable’; avoid ‘billig’ in formal or professional contexts because it can sound disparaging. When making a direct comparison, you can add ‘als …’, e.g., ‘Der Laden ist günstiger als der andere’, but the shorter form is perfectly natural when the reference is obvious.