¿cuánto cuesta algo?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta ˈalɡo/word by word
In Spanish, the phrase for "how much is something?" is ¿cuánto cuesta algo?
This phrase is used to inquire about the price of an item. You can also use the shorter, very common way to ask for a price, ¿Cuánto es?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cuánto (how much), cuesta (costs) and algo (something).
Which one should you use?
While ¿cuánto cuesta algo? is the standard way to ask, ¿Cuánto es? is a shorter, very common alternative. For more formal settings, you can use ¿Cuál es el precio? or ¿Qué precio tiene?
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object you are asking about is plural, you must change the verb from cuesta to cuestan (e.g., ¿cuánto cuestan…?).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta ˈalɡo/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, you may hear ¿cuánto sale? to ask for a price, using a verb that literally means 'to go out'.
- The word cuesta is an unexpected relative of the English word 'rib'. It stems from the Latin costa, which originally referred to the side or edge of an object.
- In traditional markets, vendors and shoppers often use the shorthand ¿a cuánto?, which asks for the rate or unit price rather than the total cost.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cuánto cuesta esta camisa?Hello, how much does this shirt cost?
- Disculpe, ¿cuál es el precio de este anillo?Excuse me, what is the price of this ring?
- Buenos días, ¿qué precio tiene este reloj?Good morning, what is the price of this watch?
- Oye, ¿cuánto vale este libro?Hey, how much is this book?
- Perdona, ¿cuánto es por el almuerzo?Excuse me, how much is it for lunch?
