Bargain
/ˈbɑːrɡən/
nounverbB1
Definition
A bargain is an agreement to buy or sell something at a price that is better (usually lower) than normal. It can mean the item itself that is sold for a good price. When used as a verb, bargain means to talk with someone to agree on a price or terms before buying or selling.
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⚡ See It in Action
Noun: A good deal or something bought for less money than usual
- •I found a bargain on shoes at the store.
- •This jacket was a real bargain because it was half price.
- •They always look for bargains when shopping at the market.
Verb: To discuss and agree on a price or deal before buying or selling
- •We bargained with the seller and got the price down.
- •She bargained hard to get a discount on the car.
- •Tourists often bargain in street markets to pay less.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bargain" like "buy," but with a special focus on getting a better price or deal
- ✓Picture a market where people talk loudly to get the best price for fruits or clothes
- ✓It's the feeling of excitement when you find something you want at a much lower price than usual
- ✓Sounds like "BAR-gin" → imagine a person in a shop saying "I want a better price, please!" like asking at a bar counter
- ✓Think of stories where characters negotiate prices or trade goods, like in a bazaar or flea market
- ✓NOT like "pay" (just giving money), "bargain" involves discussion and agreement on price
- ✓NOT like "steal" (taking without paying), "bargain" is a fair agreement between buyer and seller
- ✓NOT like "sale" (a time when many things are cheaper), "bargain" is about the price or deal itself, not just the event
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Discount: a reduction in price (Use when the price is lowered by the seller without negotiation)
- •Negotiation: discussion to reach an agreement (Use when focusing on the talking process, not the final price)
- •Offer: a price or proposal to buy or sell (Use when presenting a price, not necessarily agreed yet)
- •Sale: an event when many items are sold at lower prices (Use when talking about special shopping days or periods)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; "bargain" is a root word
- •Etymology: From Old French "bargaigner," meaning to haggle or negotiate a price
- •Historical development: Used since Middle Ages in English to mean trading and price discussion
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in shopping contexts for good prices or the act of negotiating price
- •Interesting fact: The verb "to bargain" often involves back-and-forth talking to reach a price both sides like
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does bargaining change the way people feel about buying and selling things?
•Can you think of times when it is better not to bargain? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.People often bargain in markets because they want to ___ the price ___.
2.Finding a bargain makes shoppers feel ___ because they saved money.
3.Bargain is different from sale because sale means ___, but bargain means ___.
4.When you bargain, you usually ___ with the seller to agree on a ___.
5.A bargain can be a ___ price or a special ___ on an item.
6.If someone does not want to bargain, they may just ___ the listed price.
7.From the way they bargained, we can infer they wanted to ___ the cost as much as possible.