o barato sai caro

Portuguese

FWOTD – 14 January 2017

Etymology

Literally, “cheap [things] turn out expensive”.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /u baˈɾa.tu ˈsaj ˈka.ɾu/ [u baˈɾa.tu ˈsaɪ̯ ˈka.ɾu]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /u baˈɾa.tu ˈsaj ˈka.ɾu/ [u baˈɾa.tu ˈsaɪ̯ ˈka.ɾu]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /o baˈɾa.to ˈsaj ˈka.ɾo/ [o baˈɾa.to ˈsaɪ̯ ˈka.ɾo]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /u bɐˈɾa.tu ˈsaj ˈka.ɾu/ [u βɐˈɾa.tu ˈsaj ˈka.ɾu]

Proverb

o barato sai caro

1. cheap objects or solutions can end up being expensive, because they don’t last as long, require high maintenance or are inefficient
   • 2010, Walberto Fernandes, Quebrando barreiras em vendas, Schoba, page 90:

     Quem nunca passou a experiência do “o barato sai caro”?

     Who never went through the experience of “cheap turning out to be expensive”?