Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Expensive" in Italian: caro/a
caro/a
Expensive in Italian is caro (KAH-roh) masculine and cara feminine. Costa caro and è troppo caro are everyday price complaints.
Looking at a menu
Questo ristorante è troppo caro.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce caro/a
Say it
KAH-roh
/ˈka.ro/
Caro stresses KAH: KAH-roh. Soft single r. Cara is KAH-rah.
"Expensive" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| caro / cara | expensive Agrees with the noun. | Agrees with the noun. |
| troppo caro | too expensive Complaint. | Complaint. |
| costa caro | it costs a lot Price comment. | Price comment. |
| un ristorante caro | an expensive restaurant Places. | Places. |
How to use caro/a in real life
- 1Looking at a menu
Questo ristorante è troppo caro.
This restaurant is too expensive.
Troppo caro.
- 2Clothes shop
Quella giacca è cara, vero?
That jacket is expensive, right?
Cara feminine.
- 3Taxi talk
Il taxi di notte costa caro.
A night taxi costs a lot.
Costa caro.
Mistakes English speakers make with caro/a
Incorrect: È expensive.
Correct: È caro.
Use caro, not English expensive.
Incorrect: La pizza è caro.
Correct: La pizza è cara.
Agree: feminine cara.
Good to know
Caro is blunt but normal at markets—pair it with a smile. Tourist traps get troppo caro; locals may still pay for quality without calling it a scam.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Deciding whether to buy tickets
ChatPal
Il biglietto è caro quest'anno.
The ticket is expensive this year.
You
Sì, troppo caro per stare in piedi.
Yes, too expensive for standing room.
ChatPal
Aspettiamo un'offerta meno cara.
Let's wait for a less expensive deal.
You
D'accordo.
Agreed.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Expensive" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Expensive" in Italian
Caro or costoso?
Both mean expensive; caro is more everyday.
Feminine?
Cara.
Too expensive?
Troppo caro / troppo cara.
It costs a lot?
Costa caro.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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