caro
everyday, Mexico
The everyday Mexican word for expensive is caro, as in Está muy caro. For something extremely pricey say carísimo. It is also called Costoso.
Meaning: costing a lot of money (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| caro | everyday, Mexico |
| Costoso | formal |
| Carísimo | emphatic |
It agrees with the noun, so you say caro for a masculine thing and cara for a feminine one, as in La renta está cara.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Costoso is common in writing, in shops and in polite talk about big purchases.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use estar for a price you find high right now, as in Está caro. Use ser for something that is expensive by nature, as in Es un restaurante caro.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse caro with querido, which also means dear but for people.
Did you know?
- The same word caro also means dear in letters, as in Querido y caro amigo, though this use is old fashioned.
Examples in context
- Este celular está muy caro.This phone is very expensive.
- La renta está carísima en la ciudad.Rent is extremely expensive in the city.
- Es un hotel costoso.It is an expensive hotel.
Example conversation
Rosa and her brother Iván compare prices at a market in Mexico City.
- Rosa¿Cuánto cuestan los aguacates?How much are the avocados?
- IvánCuarenta pesos el kilo. Está caro.Forty pesos a kilo. That is expensive.
- RosaMejor vamos con otro vendedor.Let us go to another seller instead.
