A1 Collocation Neutral

a costo zero

At no cost

Significado

Free.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'Riforma a costo zero' is a famous political trope. It refers to the government's attempt to change laws without spending money, often criticized as being unrealistic. In the world of Italian startups, 'a costo zero' is the goal for customer acquisition (CAC), meaning getting users through word-of-mouth. Italy has many 'online-only' banks that market themselves exclusively with the 'a costo zero' slogan to compete with traditional banks. When someone does you a big favor, saying 'è a costo zero' is a way to humbly decline payment or a return favor.

💡

Sound like a pro

Use 'a costo zero' in business emails instead of 'gratis' to sound more professional.

⚠️

The 'A' is key

Don't forget the 'a'. Saying just 'costo zero' sounds like a broken telegram.

Significado

Free.

💡

Sound like a pro

Use 'a costo zero' in business emails instead of 'gratis' to sound more professional.

⚠️

The 'A' is key

Don't forget the 'a'. Saying just 'costo zero' sounds like a broken telegram.

💬

Political Sarcasm

Be aware that in politics, this phrase is often used sarcastically to mean 'it's impossible'.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct phrase.

Ho scaricato un'enciclopedia online ___ ___ ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a costo zero

We use 'a costo zero' to indicate that the download did not cost any money.

Which sentence is correct for 'I am free tomorrow'?

Come si dice 'I am free tomorrow'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Sono libero domani.

'Libero' refers to personal time, while 'a costo zero' refers to money.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Where would you most likely see 'A Costo Zero'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A bank advertisement

Banks use this phrase to promote accounts without monthly fees.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: 'Quanto costa il corso?' B: 'Nulla, è ___ ___ ___.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a costo zero

The context 'Nulla' (nothing) requires a phrase meaning free.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

When to use 'A Costo Zero'

💰

Money

  • Apps
  • Bank accounts
  • Shipping
🚫

Not for...

  • Free time
  • Freedom
  • Empty seats

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase. Fill Blank A1

Ho scaricato un'enciclopedia online ___ ___ ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a costo zero

We use 'a costo zero' to indicate that the download did not cost any money.

Which sentence is correct for 'I am free tomorrow'? Choose A1

Come si dice 'I am free tomorrow'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Sono libero domani.

'Libero' refers to personal time, while 'a costo zero' refers to money.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A2

Where would you most likely see 'A Costo Zero'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A bank advertisement

Banks use this phrase to promote accounts without monthly fees.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: 'Quanto costa il corso?' B: 'Nulla, è ___ ___ ___.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a costo zero

The context 'Nulla' (nothing) requires a phrase meaning free.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, but 'a costo zero' is more formal and common in business or news.

No, use 'libero' if a person is free.

Yes, 'a', 'costo', and 'zero' must stay together.

Because it sounds like they are improving things without raising taxes.

No, the phrase is fixed in the singular.

Yes, it is standard Italian used from North to South.

The opposite would be 'a caro prezzo' (at a high price) or 'molto costoso'.

No, for free time use 'tempo libero'.

Not at all. It's very neutral and safe for work.

Extremely common, especially for banks and phone companies.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Gratis

synonym

Free of charge

🔗

In omaggio

similar

As a gift

🔗

Senza impegno

builds on

No obligation

🔗

A sbafo

specialized form

To eat/get for free at someone else's expense

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