barter

/'bɑ:tə/

Thân thiện

We bartered our fresh vegetables for a loaf of bread.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An exchange of goods or services for other goods or services without using money: A system or act of trading where money is not involved.
   • The goods or services offered in such an exchange: The items being traded.

2. Verb:

   • To trade goods or services for other goods or services directly, without using money: To engage in a non-monetary exchange.

Usage

• The word "barter" functions as both a noun and a verb.
• As a noun, it is typically used in singular form (e.g., "a barter") or as an uncountable concept (e.g., "trade by barter").
• As a verb, it can be used transitively (e.g., "to barter goods") or intransitively (e.g., "to barter for food").

Examples

• Noun:

  • In ancient times, barter was a common form of commerce.
  • They made a simple barter: her vegetables for his fish.

• Verb:

  • Farmers would barter their surplus crops for tools.
  • She managed to barter her old books for a bicycle.

Advanced Usage

• "to barter away": To trade something valuable for something of lesser worth, often recklessly or under pressure.
  • He bartered away his family's heirloom for a quick profit.
• "barter system": An economic system based on the direct exchange of goods and services.
  • The community survived on a complex barter system.

Variants and Related Words

• Barterer (n): A person who barters.
  • He was a skilled barterer at the market.
• Bartering (n/gerund): The act or process of engaging in barter.
  • Bartering requires good negotiation skills.

Synonyms

• Trade: To buy and sell goods and services. (More general; can involve money).
• Swap or Exchange: To give something and receive something else in return. (Often informal and can be for similar items).
• Haggle: To argue or negotiate over the terms of a deal. (Focuses on the negotiation process, which is part of bartering).

Phrasal Verbs

• Barter for: To try to obtain something through barter.
  • They are trying to barter for supplies with the neighboring village.
• Barter away: As defined in Advanced Usage.

Related Idioms

• To drive a hard bargain: To negotiate very firmly to get a favorable deal. (This idiom is often relevant in bartering situations).
  • When you barter with him, be prepared; he drives a hard bargain.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an equal exchange
   • we had no money so we had to live by barter

Verb

1. exchange goods without involving money

Từ đồng nghĩa

• swap
• swop
• trade