Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Expensive" in Spanish: caro/a
caro/a
Expensive in Spanish is caro or cara. Un hotel caro. Una cena cara. Plurals: caros and caras. Está caro means it is expensive.
Hotel search
Ese hotel es muy caro.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce caro/a
Say it
KAH-roh / KAH-rah
/ˈka.ɾo/, /ˈka.ɾa/
KAH-roh / KAH-rah. Stress KAH. Soft c like k; clear r tap.
"Expensive" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| caro | expensive (masc.) High price. | High price. |
| cara | expensive (fem.) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| muy caro/a | very expensive Strong complaint. | Strong complaint. |
| demasiado caro | too expensive Common shopping line. | Common shopping line. |
How to use caro/a in real life
- 1Hotel search
Ese hotel es muy caro.
That hotel is very expensive.
Caro with hotel.
- 2Dinner bill
La cena estuvo cara anoche.
Dinner was expensive last night.
Cara agrees with cena.
- 3Clothes
Estos zapatos están caros.
These shoes are expensive.
Caros plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with caro/a
Incorrect: La casa es caro.
Correct: La casa es cara.
Agree gender: cara with casa.
Incorrect: El vuelo es cara.
Correct: El vuelo es caro.
Agree gender: caro with vuelo.
Good to know
Caro/a is the default expensive across Latin America. Está caro is common for prices right now. Soften with un poco caro if you do not want to sound blunt.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Looking at souvenir prices
ChatPal
Ese sombrero está caro, ¿no crees?
That hat is expensive, don't you think?
You
Sí, demasiado caro para mí.
Yes, too expensive for me.
ChatPal
Hay otro menos caro en el mercado.
There's another less expensive one in the market.
You
Vamos allá. Comparo precios.
Let's go there. I'll compare prices.
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 Spanish
How does gender work?
Caro (m.), cara (f.), plurals caros / caras.
Ser or estar?
Both appear. Está caro often marks the price right now.
How do I say too expensive?
Demasiado caro / demasiado cara.
Caro vs costoso?
Caro is the beginner everyday word. Costoso also means costly.
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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