Significado
To be willing to do something despite the sacrifice.
Contexto cultural
In Italy, cycling is a sport of 'sofferenza' (suffering). Commentators often use 'a costo di' to describe riders who push through extreme pain to win a stage of the Giro d'Italia. The 'sacrificio' for the family is a core cultural pillar. Parents often express their devotion to their children's future using this phrase. Italian opera is full of characters who pursue love or revenge 'a costo della vita'. This has influenced the modern language to be slightly more dramatic than English. While Italians value 'la dolce vita', they also deeply respect 'la grinta'—the ability to work hard and overcome obstacles with passion.
Use it for motivation
When writing your goals in Italian, use 'a costo di' to make them feel more powerful and committed.
Don't over-dramatize
If you use it for small things like 'I'll buy milk a costo di camminare', people might think you are being sarcastic.
Significado
To be willing to do something despite the sacrifice.
Use it for motivation
When writing your goals in Italian, use 'a costo di' to make them feel more powerful and committed.
Don't over-dramatize
If you use it for small things like 'I'll buy milk a costo di camminare', people might think you are being sarcastic.
The 'Grinta' factor
Italians love passion. Using this phrase correctly shows you understand the emotional weight of determination in Italian culture.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form: 'a costo di' or 'a costo della'.
Vincerò la maratona, _______ faticare moltissimo.
'Faticare' is a verb (infinitive), so we use 'a costo di'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
'A costo di' must be followed by an infinitive when the subject is the same.
Match the 'cost' to the 'goal'.
Goal: 'Imparare l'italiano'. What is a logical 'costo'?
Studying three hours a day is a significant sacrifice/effort for the goal.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'È un lavoro pericoloso.' B: 'Non mi importa, lo farò _______.'
'Rischiare' (to risk) is the logical consequence of a 'pericoloso' (dangerous) job.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosVincerò la maratona, _______ faticare moltissimo.
'Faticare' is a verb (infinitive), so we use 'a costo di'.
Choose the correct option:
'A costo di' must be followed by an infinitive when the subject is the same.
Goal: 'Imparare l'italiano'. What is a logical 'costo'?
Studying three hours a day is a significant sacrifice/effort for the goal.
A: 'È un lavoro pericoloso.' B: 'Non mi importa, lo farò _______.'
'Rischiare' (to risk) is the logical consequence of a 'pericoloso' (dangerous) job.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, you usually use 'a costo di' with an action (verb) or a thing (noun). If you mean 'at the expense of a person', use 'a scapito di'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend.
No! That's the best part. Just use the infinitive (the -are, -ere, -ire form).
'A costo di' specifies the sacrifice (e.g., a costo di non dormire). 'A ogni costo' just means 'at any cost' and is more general.
Yes, but 'al costo di' is more common for literal money. 'A costo di' is better for figurative effort.
Yes, very often to show commitment to a project or a deadline.
Yes, e.g., 'A costo di sembrare scortese, devo andare via'.
Yes, but it's stronger. It implies you are actively choosing the sacrifice.
You can say 'a ogni costo' or 'costi quel che costi'.
Very common! Italian pop songs are full of dramatic determination.
Frases relacionadas
a ogni costo
synonymat any cost
pur di
similarjust to / in order to
a scapito di
contrastat the expense of
a patto di
contraston the condition of
costi quel che costi
builds onwhatever it takes / cost what it may
