How do you use "On a budget" in a sentence?

We're on a budget, so let's find somewhere cheap to eat. She planned an amazing wedding on a budget. I'm traveling on a budget — hostels and street food all the way.

On a budget

Q: What does "On a budget" mean?

Having limited money to spend; being mindful of expenses. 'On a budget' is a polite way to say you can't afford expensive options. It's practical rather than embarrassing. 'Budget-friendly' has become a positive marketing term. 'Champagne taste on a beer budget' means wanting luxury but having limited funds.

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Having limited money to spend; being mindful of expenses.

预算有限；注意控制开销。

Tener poco dinero para gastar; ser consciente de los gastos.

使えるお金が限られていること。出費を意識していること。

쓸 수 있는 돈이 한정된 상태. 지출을 의식하고 있는 것.

'On a budget' is a polite way to say you can't afford expensive options. It's practical rather than embarrassing. 'Budget-friendly' has become a positive marketing term. 'Champagne taste on a beer budget' means wanting luxury but having limited funds.

'On a budget'是一种礼貌的说法，表示你消费不起贵的选项。它更偏实用而非丢人。'Budget-friendly'已经成为一个正面的营销用语。'Champagne taste on a beer budget'意思是想要奢侈品但预算有限。

'On a budget' es una forma educada de decir que no te puedes permitir opciones caras. Es práctico, no vergonzoso. 'Budget-friendly' se ha convertido en un término positivo de marketing. 'Champagne taste on a beer budget' significa querer lujo con fondos limitados.

「on a budget」は高いものには手が出せないという丁寧な言い方。恥ずかしいことではなく、実用的な表現。「budget-friendly」はポジティブなマーケティング用語として定着している。「champagne taste on a beer budget」は贅沢を求めるが資金が限られているという意味。

'on a budget'은 비싼 것을 살 여유가 없다는 정중한 표현이다. 부끄러운 것이 아니라 실용적인 태도를 나타낸다. 'budget-friendly'는 긍정적인 마케팅 용어가 됐다. 'Champagne taste on a beer budget'은 호화로운 취향이지만 자금은 한정돼 있다는 뜻이다.

Examples

We're on a budget, so let's find somewhere cheap to eat.
我们预算有限，找个便宜的地方吃吧。
Tenemos un presupuesto ajustado, así que busquemos un sitio barato para comer.
予算が限られてるから、安い店を探そうよ。
예산이 빠듯하니까 싼 곳 찾아서 먹자.
She planned an amazing wedding on a budget.
她在有限的预算内办了一场超棒的婚礼。
Organizó una boda increíble con un presupuesto limitado.
彼女は限られた予算で素晴らしい結婚式を挙げた。
그녀는 적은 예산으로 멋진 결혼식을 올렸다.
I'm traveling on a budget — hostels and street food all the way.
我在穷游——一路住青旅吃路边摊。
Viajo con poco presupuesto — hostales y comida callejera todo el rato.
節約旅行中なんだ——ホステルと屋台飯で全部まかなうよ。
알뜰 여행 중이야 — 호스텔이랑 길거리 음식으로 다 해결해.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, travel, dining, everyday conversation

Tone: practical, honest

✓ Do Say

I'm on a budget this month.
我这个月预算紧张。
Este mes voy con presupuesto ajustado.
今月は節約モードなんだ。
이번 달은 예산이 빠듯해.
Any budget-friendly restaurants around here?
附近有什么实惠的餐厅吗？
¿Conocéis algún restaurante barato por aquí?
この辺にお手頃なレストランはある？
이 근처에 가성비 좋은 식당 있어?

✗ Don't Say

Very polite way to express financial limits — much softer than 'I'm broke'
非常礼貌的表达经济限制的方式——比说'I'm broke'温和得多
Forma muy educada de expresar limitaciones económicas — mucho más suave que 'estoy sin blanca'
経済的な制約を伝える上品な言い方——「I'm broke（金欠だ）」よりずっとソフト
경제적 한계를 표현하는 매우 정중한 방법 — 'I'm broke'보다 훨씬 부드럽다

Origin & History

From the financial meaning of 'budget' — a plan for spending. 'On a budget' emerged as a common phrase in American consumer culture in the mid-1900s as budgeting became a mainstream personal finance concept.

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-1900s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal