tengo gustos caros
/tenɡo ɡustos kaɾos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I have expensive taste" is expressed as tengo gustos caros.
This phrase is used to say that one prefers high-quality things that cost a lot of money.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo (I have), gustos (tastes/preferences) and caros (expensive).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because gustos is a masculine plural noun, the adjective caros must also be in the masculine plural form to agree with it.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ɡustos kaɾos/
Did you know?
- Calling someone's tastes caros in certain Latin American countries can be a subtle social critique. In these contexts, it may imply the person is being 'snobbish' or 'pretentious' rather than simply admiring quality.
- Spanish uses the word capricho for a specific luxury whim. Unlike gusto, which is a general preference, a capricho is an impulsive desire for an expensive item that is not actually needed.
- In older poetic Spanish, the word caro was used to mean 'dear' or 'precious' in an emotional sense. In modern conversation, however, it has shifted to refer almost entirely to a high monetary price.
Examples in context
- Mi estilo es sofisticado y tengo gustos caros.My style is sophisticated, and I have expensive taste.
- Siempre me gustan las marcas de diseñadores reconocidos. Tengo gustos caros, ¡qué le vamos a hacer!I always like well-known designer brands. I have expensive taste, what can I say!
- Lo siento, pero tengo gustos caros.I am sorry, but I have expensive taste.
- Reconozco que tengo gustos caros con la ropa.I admit that I have expensive taste in clothes.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at a luxury watch in a shop window.
- Alejandro¿Te gusta ese reloj de oro?Do you like that gold watch?
- LucíaEs hermoso, pero sé que tengo gustos caros.It is beautiful, but I know I have expensive taste.
- AlejandroLucía, te mereces algo especial.Lucía, you deserve something special.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro, pero es demasiado costoso.Thank you, Alejandro, but it is too expensive.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
