Koliko košta?
The English phrase "how much does it cost?" is translated into Croatian as Koliko košta?
Use this phrase to ask for the price of an item.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Koliko košta? literally translates to "How much costs?"
Which one should you use?
You can use Koliko to košta? to say "How much does that cost?", which is a very common way to specify an object you are pointing at. Additionally, Kol'ko košta? is a shortened version of the standard phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are asking about the price of multiple items, you should use the plural verb form Koliko koštaju? instead of the singular Koliko košta?
Did you know?
- In Croatian markets, you might see prices listed as 1,50 €, but the comma is used as a decimal separator instead of a period.
- The word koliko is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *koliko, which is shared across almost all Slavic languages to express quantity.
- If a price is too high, a Croatian shopper might respond with Preskupo!, a single word meaning 'Too expensive!' that acts as a conversational stopper.
Examples in context
- Izvinite, koliko košta ova torba?Excuse me, how much does this bag cost?
Example conversation
Ivana and Mateo are looking at a souvenir in a shop.
- IvanaMateo, pogledaj ovu knjigu!Mateo, look at this book!
- MateoVrlo je lijepa. Koliko košta?It is very beautiful. How much does it cost?
- IvanaPiše da je deset eura.It says it is ten euros.
- MateoTo je dobra cijena.That is a good price.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koliko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
