¿Cuánto cuesta?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta/word by word
How much does it cost? In Spanish is translated as ¿Cuánto cuesta?
This phrase is a question used to ask for the price of an item. You can also use the phrase ¿Qué precio tiene? to ask how much something costs.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cuánto means 'how much' and cuesta is the third-person singular form of the verb costar, meaning 'it costs'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwanto ˈkwesta/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, costar is used idiomatically to describe emotional or mental effort. For example, me cuesta decir adiós means 'it is hard for me to say goodbye', not that it has a monetary price.
- In many Spanish-speaking markets, asking ¿Cuánto cuesta? can be seen as too direct. Shoppers often use more indirect phrases or gestures to negotiate a price before asking for the final cost.
- Because cuesta shares a root with 'rib', it is also the origin of the Spanish word for 'slope' or 'hillside'.
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are at a street market.
- MaríaMira este collar, Javier. ¿Cuánto cuesta?Look at this necklace, Javier. How much does it cost?
- JavierNo lo sé, pregñale al vendedor.I don't know, ask the vendor.
- MaríaHola, ¿cuánto cuesta el collar?Hello, how much does the necklace cost?
- JavierCuesta diez euros.It costs ten euros.
