What is a common mistake with “Çok pahalı”?

✗ Çok pahalıdır! → ✓ Çok pahalı!: In speech the -dır ending sounds formal or like a general fact.

Phrase 122 of 500

How to say “It's too expensive” in Turkish

Q: How is “Çok pahalı” used in a conversation?

Satıcı: Bu halı on bin lira. (This carpet is ten thousand lira.) Ben: Çok pahalı! Son fiyat ne? (Too expensive! What's your final price?)

Çok pahalı!

chohk pah·hah·luh

Listen

Meaning: It's too expensive!
Pronunciation: chohk pah·hah·luh

What “Çok pahalı” really means

Çok pahalı! means "It's too expensive!". It is the classic first move in bargaining. Say it with a smile, not anger. A softer version is "Biraz pahalı" (a bit expensive).

💬 Example dialogues

SatıcıBu halı on bin lira.This carpet is ten thousand lira.

BenÇok pahalı! Son fiyat ne?Too expensive! What's your final price?

EmreBu ayakkabı çok pahalı.These shoes are very expensive.

Selinİndirime girince alırız.We'll buy them when they're on sale.

🚫 When NOT to use it

Saying it in a fixed-price shop or to a host about a gift is rude. Do not say it after a long bargain if you already agreed on a price.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Sellers often answer "Ama kaliteli!" (but it's quality!) or "Sana özel indirim" (a special discount for you). Enjoy the theatre.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Çok pahalıdır! → ✓ Çok pahalı!In speech the -dır ending sounds formal or like a general fact.

Culture tip

In the Grand Bazaar and local markets, bargaining is part of the fun. In malls and supermarkets, prices are fixed.

Letters to watch in this sentence

Ç ç like ch in “chair”
I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”