caro
/ˈkaɾo/
The Spanish word caro means expensive.
Caro is used to describe something that has a high price. To express that something is very expensive, you can use the adverb muy before the adjective, resulting in muy caro.
Which one should you use?
While caro means expensive in terms of price, it is not used to mean 'dear' or 'beloved' in the same way as the English word 'dear' when referring to people. For that, use querido.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective caro must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use cara for feminine singular nouns, caros for masculine plural nouns and caras for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaɾo/
Did you know?
- The word caro is a direct relative of the English words 'caress' and 'cherish', as they all stem from the same Latin root.
- While caro is used for price, the identical feminine form cara is also the standard Spanish word for 'face'.
- In some regions, saying salir caro is used to describe a situation that had an unexpected negative consequence, not just a high financial cost.
Examples in context
- La defensa Caro-Kann (1. e4 c6) es una apertura utilizada por los principales Grandes Maestros de todo el mundo.The Caro-Kann defense (1. e4 c6) is an opening used by major Grand Masters around the world.This sentence shows the use of caro within the name of a chess opening.Tatoeba #10283158 by carlosalberto, translation #10283108 by carlosalberto
- El reloj es costoso.The watch is expensive.
- Los boletos tienen un precio oneroso.The tickets have a burdensome price.
- El hotel es carísimo.The hotel is extremely expensive.
- Este restaurante es muy caro.This restaurant is very expensive.
- Este reloj es muy caro.This watch is very expensive.
- El alquiler en esta ciudad es demasiado caro.The rent in this city is too expensive.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- Mateo¿No es muy caro este plato?Isn't this dish very expensive?
- LucíaSí, es un poco caro para mi gusto.Yes, it is a bit expensive for my taste.
- MateoBusquemos algo más barato entonces.Let's look for something cheaper then.
- LucíaMe parece una buena idea, Mateo.I think that is a good idea, Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
