What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quanto (how much), custa (costs) and isto (this).
Which one should you use?
While quanto custa isto? literally translates to "how much does this cost?", it is the standard way to say "how much is this?" You may also use the shorter, very common phrase quanto é? to ask for a price. If you are referring to an object that is near the seller or one you are pointing at, speakers often use quanto custa isso? (how much is that?) instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form quanto custa isso? is common in casual spoken Portuguese.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal slang Quanto tá? is used to ask about price.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are asking about multiple items, the verb and the demonstrative pronoun must change to their plural forms: quanto custam estes? (how much do these cost?).
Did you know?
- The word custar comes from the Latin constare, which originally meant 'to stand together' or 'to be established', eventually evolving into the idea of a fixed price.
- The demonstrative isto is neuter in origin. While Portuguese has lost neuter nouns, this word survives as a way to refer to an unspecified 'thing' or 'situation' without assigning a gender.
- In some regions of Brazil, the phrase quanto custa? can be used figuratively to ask about the emotional or personal toll of a decision, effectively meaning 'at what cost?'
Examples in context
- Boa tarde. Quanto custa isso?Good afternoon. How much does this cost?
- E aí, quanto é essa camiseta?Hey, how much is this t-shirt?
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are shopping at a local market.
- RodrigoOi, Camila! Quanto custa isto?Hi, Camila! How much is this?
- CamilaIsso custa dez reais, Rodrigo.That costs ten reais, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoEstá muito barato!It is very cheap!
- CamilaSim, é uma ótima oferta.Yes, it is a great deal.
