it's a bit pricey
informal
A natural, slightly softened way to say something costs more than you want to pay.
The food looks great, but it's a bit pricey.
Meaning-first English
How to say "That's too expensive" in English
Money talk gets awkward fast. English gives you ways to say 'too much' without sounding cheap or rude.
it's a bit pricey
phraseinformal
Softer than 'too expensive' and very natural when the price feels high.
A: Want to book this hotel?
B: It's a bit pricey. Can we keep looking?
Skip: "costy" — A tempting invention. Use expensive, pricey, or costly.
Phrase playground
Pick your exact meaning
Start with the human feeling, then choose the English that fits the moment.
That's too expensiveWhat do you mean?
out of my budget
neutral
You cannot or do not want to spend that much.
That apartment is out of my budget.
more than I wanted to spend
neutral
The price is above your plan.
It's more than I wanted to spend on shoes.
a rip-off
informal
The price is unfairly high.
Ten dollars for water? That's a rip-off.
steep
informal
A short adjective for a price that feels high.
The membership fee is pretty steep.
not worth it
neutral
The thing does not justify the price.
It's nice, but for that price, it's not worth it.
Situation check
Choose the moment
Shopping
You like it, but not the price.
It's a bit pricey.
Soft and natural.
Hard limit
You genuinely cannot pay that much.
It's out of my budget.
Clear boundary.
Bad value
The price feels unfair.
That's a rip-off.
Only when you mean it.
Tone switcher
Say it like...
It's cute, but it's a bit pricey.
Easy shopping English.That option is outside our budget.
Professional.It's a little more than I was hoping to spend.
Gentle negotiation.For that price? Absolutely not.
Playful refusal.Don't say this
Make it sound human
Instead ofThe price is very costy.
SayIt's expensive.
Costly exists, but 'costy' does not.
Instead ofIt is too much expensive.
SayIt's too expensive.
No 'much' before expensive here.
Native phrase battle
You want to politely say a hotel costs more than planned. Best choice?
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Pricey is the friendly everyday word.