“划算”在英语中常见的表达有 cost-effective、a good deal、worthwhile、bargain 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
cost-effective:强调在成本和效果之间取得良好平衡,即以较低的成本获得较高的效益,常用于商业、经济或技术领域。例如:
This new software is cost-effective because it reduces labor costs while increasing productivity.(这款新软件很划算,因为它在降低劳动力成本的同时提高了生产率。)
a good deal:指交易、安排或购买行为在价格或价值方面很划算,侧重于价格方面的优惠。例如:
I got this laptop at a really good deal during the Black Friday sale.(我在黑色星期五促销期间以非常划算的价格买到了这台笔记本电脑。)
worthwhile:侧重于表示做某件事或拥有某物是值得的,不仅仅基于金钱考量,还可能涉及时间、精力或其他方面的投入。例如:
Taking that online course was worthwhile; I learned a lot of useful skills.(参加那个在线课程很划算;我学到了很多有用的技能。)
bargain:既可以作名词,表示“便宜货;划算的交易”,也可以作动词,表示“讨价还价;讲价”。例如:
This dress is a real bargain; it's half the price of similar ones in other stores.(这条裙子真划算,价格是其他店里类似裙子的一半。)
I managed to bargain the price down by 20%.(我设法把价格讲低了20%。)