¿cuánto cuesta esto?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta ˈesto/word by word
In Spanish, "how much does this cost?" is said as ¿cuánto cuesta esto?
A question used to ask for the price of an item.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cuánto (how much), cuesta (costs) and esto (this).
Which one should you use?
You can use the alternative phrase ¿qué precio tiene esto? to ask "what price does this have?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on where you are, you may hear different variations: in Mexico, ¿Cuánto cuesta? is common. In Argentina and Uruguay, ¿Cuánto sale? is often heard. And in Spain, ¿Cuánto vale? is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are already pointing at the object, you can omit esto and simply ask ¿cuánto cuesta? to mean "how much does it cost?"
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta ˈesto/
Did you know?
- The verb cuesta shares the same root as the English word 'coast'. Both originate from the Latin word costa, which originally meant 'rib' or 'side'.
- In some Spanish-speaking markets, asking for a price can lead to regateo, the custom of bargaining. In these contexts, the first price given is often an invitation to negotiate rather than a fixed cost.
- The word esto is a neuter pronoun. In Spanish, this specific form is used when the speaker does not know the gender of the object they are pointing to.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿cuánto cuesta esto?Excuse me, how much does this cost?
- Me gusta el sombrero, ¿cuánto cuesta esto?I like the hat, how much does this cost?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a souvenir in a shop.
- MateoSofía, ¿cuánto cuesta esto?Sofía, how much does this cost?
- SofíaNo sé, Mateo. Déjame preguntar.I don't know, Mateo. Let me ask.
- MateoEs un regalo muy bonito.It is a very beautiful gift.
- SofíaSí, es perfecto para tu madre.Yes, it is perfect for your mother.
