Significado
Describes an action performed with great effort or sacrifice.
Contexto cultural
In Portugal, 'a custo' is often linked to the historical resilience of the people, especially in the context of the sea and the 'Descobrimentos'. It carries a sense of stoicism. Brazilians might use 'a custo' in formal news, but in daily life, they often say 'com muito sacrifício' to emphasize the emotional drama of the effort. In Angolan literature, 'a custo' is frequently used to describe the hardships of the colonial era and the subsequent reconstruction of the country. Similar to Angola, it appears in formal speeches regarding national development and overcoming natural disasters like cyclones.
Use 'A Muito Custo'
Adding 'muito' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing a truly exhausting task.
No Crase!
Never put an accent on the 'a'. It's a common mistake even for native speakers, but at C1 level, you must be precise.
Significado
Describes an action performed with great effort or sacrifice.
Use 'A Muito Custo'
Adding 'muito' makes you sound much more like a native speaker when describing a truly exhausting task.
No Crase!
Never put an accent on the 'a'. It's a common mistake even for native speakers, but at C1 level, you must be precise.
The 'Sufoco' Alternative
In Brazil, if you want to sound less formal, replace 'a custo' with 'no sufoco' in social settings.
Ponte a prueba
Complete a frase com a expressão correta.
O maratonista cruzou a linha de chegada ______, caindo de exaustão logo em seguida.
'A custo' is the standard adverbial phrase. No crase is used.
Qual frase usa 'a custo' de forma natural?
Selecione a opção correta:
This shows a psychological/persuasion struggle, which is a perfect use case.
Complete o diálogo.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar a tradução?' Pedro: 'Sim, ______.'
In a short response, 'foi a custo' (it was with difficulty) is the most natural way to confirm the effort.
Combine a situação com a frase.
Situação: Um idoso subindo uma ladeira íngreme.
Describes physical effort correctly.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
A Custo vs. À Custa De
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosO maratonista cruzou a linha de chegada ______, caindo de exaustão logo em seguida.
'A custo' is the standard adverbial phrase. No crase is used.
Selecione a opção correta:
This shows a psychological/persuasion struggle, which is a perfect use case.
Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar a tradução?' Pedro: 'Sim, ______.'
In a short response, 'foi a custo' (it was with difficulty) is the most natural way to confirm the effort.
Situação: Um idoso subindo uma ladeira íngreme.
Describes physical effort correctly.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot exactly. 'Hardly' often means 'scarcely' (mal/apenas). 'A custo' means 'with great effort'.
Yes, but it implies the positive thing was hard to get. 'Consegui o prêmio a custo.'
It is used in both, but it sounds slightly more 'everyday' in Portugal and more 'formal/literary' in Brazil.
Yes, 'com custo' is a common variant, but 'a custo' is considered more elegant in writing.
No, it can go at the beginning for emphasis: 'A custo, ele subiu.'
Yes, 'custoso' is an adjective meaning difficult or expensive. 'É um trabalho custoso' = 'It is a difficult job'.
Absolutely. It's perfect for describing a difficult achievement to a client or boss.
'Sem esforço' (without effort) or 'facilmente' (easily).
Yes. 'A custo, ela perdoou o amigo.' (With difficulty, she forgave her friend.)
'A custos' exists in old literature but is rare today. Stick to 'a custo'.
Frases relacionadas
A duras penas
synonymWith great difficulty and suffering.
Com sacrifício
similarWith sacrifice.
À custa de
specialized formAt the expense of.
Facilmente
contrastEasily.
A ferros
synonymWith extreme difficulty (PT-PT).
