SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Post Office

Italian Phrase

Qual è il più economico?

/kwal ɛ il ˈpju ekoˈnomiko/
Meaning"Which one is the cheapest?"
💡

Meaning

This question asks the listener to identify which item, option, or product costs the least. It is the standard way to request the cheapest choice among a set of alternatives.

🎯

When to use

Use it while shopping, comparing menus, looking at travel options, or any situation where you need to pick the lowest‑priced alternative. It works both in formal stores and casual market stalls.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Qualèilpiùeconomico?

1

Qual è

The interrogative pronoun 'qual' (short for 'quale') is used before the verb 'essere' to ask 'which is'. It contracts to 'qual è' without an apostrophe.

2

Il più + adjective

The structure 'il più' + adjective forms the absolute superlative, meaning 'the most ...'. The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

3

Economico (adj.)

Economico means 'cheap' or 'inexpensive'. In the superlative it stays masculine singular because the implied noun (e.g., 'prodotto') is masculine.

🗨In Conversation

A

Qual è il più economico?

Which one is the cheapest?

Il secondo è il più economico, costa 12 euro.

The second one is the cheapest; it costs 12 euros.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Qual'è il più economico?

    Do not add an apostrophe after 'qual' (e.g., *qual'è*). The correct form is 'qual è' with a space.

  • Qual è più economico?

    Avoid using 'più' with a noun directly (e.g., *più economico prodotto*). Use the superlative structure 'il più economico' instead.

  • Qual è il più economico? (referring to a feminine noun like 'macchina')

    If the noun you refer to is feminine, change the adjective to 'economica'.

↔Alternatives

  • Qual è il più barato?

    Which one is the cheapest?

  • Qual è il meno costoso?

    Which one is the least expensive?

  • Qual è il più a buon mercato?

    Which one is the best‑value?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, price discussions often include the word 'economico' for general cheapness, but 'barato' (borrowed from Spanish) sounds informal and is more common in the south. When you want to sound polite, you can also say 'Qual è il più conveniente?' which focuses on value rather than just low price.