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A2 noun #2,500 más común 7 min de lectura

custo

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos custo en 30 segundos
Explicación custo in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'custo' is a basic word used to talk about how much things are. You will mostly see it in simple sentences about shopping or travel. For example, 'O custo da passagem' (The cost of the ticket). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex economic theories. Just remember that 'custo' means 'cost'. It is often used with the verb 'ser' (to be), as in 'O custo é alto' (The cost is high). You might also hear it in the phrase 'custo de vida' (cost of living) when people talk about their cities. Learning this word helps you understand basic prices and expenses when you are traveling or living in a Portuguese-speaking country. It is a masculine noun, so always use 'o' or 'um' with it. Practice by asking 'Qual é o custo?' in different situations, like at a museum or a bus station. This will help you get used to the sound and usage of the word in everyday life.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'custo' in more varied contexts. You might talk about the 'custo de produção' if you are discussing work, or 'custos fixos' like rent and electricity. You will also learn the expression 'a todo o custo' (at all costs), which shows strong intention. You start to see the difference between 'custo' (the expense) and 'preço' (the price). For instance, you might say 'O custo para fazer este bolo foi pequeno, mas o preço de venda é alto.' This shows you understand that 'custo' is about the ingredients and time, while 'preço' is the final amount. You also start using the verb 'custar'. Phrases like 'Quanto custa?' (How much does it cost?) are essential. You might also notice that 'custar' can mean something is difficult, like 'Custa-me levantar cedo' (It's hard for me to get up early). At A2, you should be comfortable using 'custo' in simple past and future tenses to describe expenses you had or will have.
At the B1 level, 'custo' becomes a tool for more detailed descriptions and opinions. You can discuss the 'custo-benefício' (cost-benefit) of products, which is a very common phrase in Portuguese. You might say, 'Este telemóvel tem um bom custo-benefício,' meaning it's worth the price. You also start to use 'custo' in more abstract ways, such as 'o custo social' or 'o custo ambiental'. You can participate in conversations about the economy, explaining how the 'custo de vida' affects your lifestyle. You will use more complex sentence structures, like 'Apesar do alto custo, decidimos comprar a casa.' (Despite the high cost, we decided to buy the house). You also become familiar with 'custos operacionais' and 'custos de manutenção' in professional settings. At this level, you should be able to compare costs using 'mais caro que' or 'menos dispendioso que' and explain why a certain 'custo' is justified or not. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'despesa' and 'gasto', and you know when to use each one correctly.
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At the B2 level, you use 'custo' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You understand nuances like 'custo de oportunidade' (opportunity cost) and can explain it in a meeting. You use the word to discuss complex social issues, such as the 'custo da corrupção' or the 'custo da saúde pública'. You are comfortable with idiomatic expressions like 'custar os olhos da cara' (to cost an arm and a leg). Your grammar is more advanced, allowing you to use 'custo' in hypothetical situations: 'Se o custo fosse menor, teríamos investido mais.' You can write reports analyzing 'custos e lucros' (costs and profits) and use formal adjectives like 'oneroso' (costly/burdensome). You also recognize the use of 'custo' in literature or high-level journalism to describe the human toll of events. At B2, you don't just know what the word means; you know how to manipulate it to express subtle differences in meaning and tone, moving easily between literal financial costs and metaphorical sacrifices.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'custo' is sophisticated and natural. You use it in complex rhetorical structures and can discuss the 'custo' of philosophical or political choices with ease. You might analyze the 'custo de transação' in economic systems or the 'custo cognitivo' of multitasking. You are aware of the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Romance languages. You use phrases like 'a custo de' (at the cost of) to link complex ideas: 'A estabilidade foi alcançada a custo de grandes sacrifícios sociais.' You can identify and use subtle synonyms like 'dispêndio' or 'estipêndio' in the appropriate formal contexts. In debates, you can argue about the 'custo-efetividade' of different policies. Your understanding of the verb 'custar' is complete, including its more obscure uses in classical literature. You can write long essays where 'custo' is a central theme, exploring its implications in various fields from psychology to macroeconomics, all while maintaining a high level of lexical variety and grammatical accuracy.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'custo' and all its derivatives. You can use the word with such precision that you can convey irony, sarcasm, or deep emotion. You might use 'custo' in a poetic sense to describe the 'custo d'alma' (cost of the soul) in a literary critique. You understand the most technical applications in econometrics and law, such as 'custos de agência' or 'custos incidentes'. You can switch between registers effortlessly, using 'custo' in a highly technical board meeting and then using a related slang or idiom in a casual setting. You are sensitive to the rhythmic and stylistic placement of the word in a sentence to create emphasis. You can interpret and produce complex texts where 'custo' is used as a metaphor for the human condition. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile tool that you use to navigate the finest nuances of the Portuguese language, reflecting a deep cultural and linguistic immersion that is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

custo en 30 segundos

  • Custo refers to the financial expense or the effort required to obtain or achieve something in Portuguese.
  • It is a masculine noun (o custo) and is frequently used in both business and daily life contexts.
  • Common expressions include 'custo de vida' (cost of living) and 'a todo o custo' (at all costs).
  • It differs from 'preço' (price), which is the final amount a consumer pays in a market transaction.

The Portuguese word custo is a fundamental noun that primarily refers to the amount of money, time, or effort required to achieve, purchase, or maintain something. While in English we often use 'cost' and 'price' interchangeably, in Portuguese, custo often leans towards the internal expenditure or the objective value of resources consumed. It is the 'expense' incurred by a producer or a person before a profit margin is added to create the 'preço' (price). Understanding custo is essential for navigating daily transactions, business environments, and even philosophical discussions about the 'price' of one's choices.

Financial Context
The monetary value spent to produce or buy goods. Example: 'O custo de produção aumentou.'
Effort/Sacrifice
The non-monetary toll something takes. Example: 'O custo emocional foi alto.'
Fixed vs. Variable
In accounting, 'custos fixos' (fixed costs) and 'custos variáveis' (variable costs).

O custo de vida em Lisboa tem subido drasticamente nos últimos anos, afetando o poder de compra dos cidadãos.

— Exemplo de uso comum em notícias de economia.

In a broader sense, custo appears in various idiomatic expressions. For instance, 'a todo o custo' means 'at any cost' or 'at all costs,' indicating a high level of determination. It is also the root of the verb custar, which means 'to cost' but can also mean 'to be difficult' (e.g., 'Custa-me acreditar' - It's hard for me to believe). This dual nature—financial and experiential—makes it one of the most versatile words in the Portuguese lexicon. When you analyze the custo-benefício (cost-benefit ratio), you are performing a vital cognitive task in Portuguese culture, which values practicality and resourcefulness (the famous 'jeitinho' often involves minimizing custo).

Não podemos ignorar o custo ambiental desta nova fábrica.

Qual é o custo total da viagem, incluindo as passagens e o hotel?

O projeto foi concluído a um custo muito elevado para a empresa.

Eles querem vencer a todo o custo, sem olhar a meios.

Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'constare', meaning to stand together or to be established.
Usage Frequency
Extremely high in both Brazil and Portugal, across all social strata.

Using custo correctly requires distinguishing it from its synonyms like preço or despesa. While preço is the tag you see in a store, custo is the underlying value. To use it effectively, consider the following structures:

  • Custo de [Noun]: Used to specify what the cost relates to. 'Custo de manutenção' (maintenance cost), 'Custo de envio' (shipping cost).
  • Abaixo do custo: Below cost. Used in sales or liquidation contexts. 'Eles estão vendendo abaixo do custo.'
  • Custo zero: No cost. Often used in marketing or public services. 'O curso é de custo zero para os alunos.'

In formal writing, custo is indispensable for reports and academic papers. You will often see it paired with adjectives like elevado (high), reduzido (reduced), or estimado (estimated). For example, 'O custo estimado da obra ultrapassou o orçamento inicial.' This sentence demonstrates a typical professional usage where precision is key.

In casual conversation, you might hear people complaining about the custo de vida. This is a very common topic in Portugal and Brazil. You might say, 'O custo de vida em São Paulo é muito maior do que no interior.' Here, custo summarizes the general expense of surviving and thriving in a specific location.

Another important usage is the figurative sense. When someone says, 'Isso teve um custo pessoal para mim,' they aren't talking about money. They are talking about the emotional or physical toll a decision took. This versatility allows you to transition from a business meeting to a deep personal conversation using the same core vocabulary.

You will encounter custo in a variety of environments, ranging from the evening news to the local supermarket. In the media, financial journalists frequently discuss custos operacionais (operating costs) of major companies or the custo da cesta básica (the cost of a set of essential food items), which is a key economic indicator in Brazil.

In a professional setting, such as an office or a factory, managers talk about redução de custos (cost reduction). If you work in logistics or e-commerce, you will constantly deal with custos de frete (freight/shipping costs). Understanding these terms is vital for professional fluency.

In daily life, you'll hear it at the bank ('Qual é o custo da anuidade do cartão?') or when planning a trip with friends. It's a word that bridges the gap between technical jargon and everyday speech. Even in political debates, the custo Brasil is a famous term referring to the structural and bureaucratic costs that make doing business in Brazil expensive and difficult.

Social media and YouTube influencers in the 'finance' niche (finansferas) use custo constantly when teaching about investments and budgeting. They might discuss the custo de oportunidade (opportunity cost), which is the benefit lost when choosing one alternative over another—a concept that is as much about logic as it is about economics.

One of the most frequent errors for learners is confusing custo with preço. Remember: preço is what you pay as a consumer; custo is what it takes to produce or the general expense. If you say 'O custo deste sapato é 50 euros' in a shop, a native will understand, but it's more natural to say 'O preço deste sapato...'. Use custo when discussing the value behind the price.

Another mistake is the gender. Custo is a masculine noun (o custo). Learners sometimes mistakenly use the feminine 'a custa' because they confuse it with the phrase 'à custa de' (at the expense of). While 'à custa de' is a valid prepositional phrase, the noun itself remains masculine.

Misusing the verb custar is also common. In Portuguese, we say 'Custa-me fazer isso' (It is hard for me to do that), where 'me' is the indirect object. English speakers often try to say 'Eu custo...', which is incorrect in this context. The thing that is difficult is the subject: 'Acordar cedo (subject) custa-me (indirect object)'.

Finally, avoid overusing custo when gasto (expense/spend) might be more appropriate. Gasto usually refers to the act of spending, while custo refers to the amount required. 'Tivemos muitos gastos este mês' (We had many expenses) is often more natural than 'Tivemos muitos custos,' unless you are speaking in an accounting context.

To enrich your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to custo. Preço is the most obvious, referring to the market value. Valor is another, though it often carries a more subjective or intrinsic meaning (e.g., 'valor sentimental').

Despesa and Gasto are synonyms often used in household or business budgeting. A despesa is usually a planned outflow of money (like rent), while a gasto can be more general or even impulsive. Encargo is a more formal term, often used for taxes or legal financial obligations (e.g., 'encargos sociais').

On the more abstract side, we have ônus, a formal word for a burden or a heavy cost/responsibility. In legal or formal contexts, you might hear 'o ônus da prova' (the burden of proof). Sacrifício is used when the cost is personal or emotional. If something was achieved with great effort, you can say it was 'a duras penas' or 'com muito custo'.

Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the right word for the right situation. While custo is the safe, all-purpose term, using despesa for your monthly bills or ônus for a heavy responsibility will make your Portuguese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Noun-adjective agreement (o custo alto).

Preposition 'de' for possession/relation (custo de vida).

Indirect object pronouns with the verb 'custar'.

Pluralization of compound nouns (custos-benefícios).

Use of 'a' in 'a todo o custo'.

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

O custo do pão é baixo.

The cost of the bread is low.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

2

Qual é o custo da entrada?

What is the cost of the entrance?

Interrogative sentence with 'Qual'.

3

O custo total é dez euros.

The total cost is ten euros.

Using 'total' as an adjective.

4

Eu não sei o custo.

I don't know the cost.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

5

O custo da viagem é alto.

The cost of the trip is high.

Noun phrase 'custo da viagem'.

6

Este é um custo extra.

This is an extra cost.

Using 'extra' as an adjective.

7

O custo é por pessoa.

The cost is per person.

Prepositional phrase 'por pessoa'.

8

Temos um custo fixo.

We have a fixed cost.

Verb 'ter' + noun + adjective.

1

O custo de vida aqui é caro.

The cost of living here is expensive.

Common phrase 'custo de vida'.

2

Eles reduziram o custo de produção.

They reduced the production cost.

Past tense verb 'reduziram'.

3

O custo do frete não está incluído.

The shipping cost is not included.

Passive structure 'está incluído'.

4

Queremos vencer a todo o custo.

We want to win at all costs.

Idiom 'a todo o custo'.

5

O custo da reparação foi alto.

The cost of the repair was high.

Noun 'reparação' (repair).

6

Qual o custo estimado da obra?

What is the estimated cost of the work?

Adjective 'estimado' (estimated).

7

Não há custo para os sócios.

There is no cost for members.

Existential 'há' + 'não'.

8

O custo da eletricidade subiu.

The cost of electricity went up.

Verb 'subir' (to go up/rise).

1

O custo-benefício deste carro é excelente.

The cost-benefit of this car is excellent.

Compound noun 'custo-benefício'.

2

Precisamos analisar o custo ambiental.

We need to analyze the environmental cost.

Infinitive 'analisar' after 'precisamos'.

3

O projeto foi feito a baixo custo.

The project was done at low cost.

Prepositional phrase 'a baixo custo'.

4

O custo de manutenção é muito elevado.

The maintenance cost is very high.

Noun 'manutenção'.

5

Isso teve um custo pessoal para ele.

That had a personal cost for him.

Figurative use of 'custo'.

6

O custo operacional diminuiu este mês.

The operating cost decreased this month.

Adjective 'operacional'.

7

Eles vendem os produtos ao preço de custo.

They sell the products at cost price.

Phrase 'preço de custo'.

8

O custo da educação é um investimento.

The cost of education is an investment.

Abstract noun 'investimento'.

1

O custo de oportunidade deve ser considerado.

The opportunity cost must be considered.

Economic term 'custo de oportunidade'.

2

A empresa absorveu o custo adicional.

The company absorbed the additional cost.

Verb 'absorver' in a financial sense.

3

O custo marginal tende a diminuir.

The marginal cost tends to decrease.

Technical term 'custo marginal'.

4

A liberdade foi conquistada a um alto custo.

Freedom was won at a high cost.

Metaphorical use in a historical context.

5

O custo de capital variou significativamente.

The cost of capital varied significantly.

Adverb 'significativamente'.

6

Não podemos ignorar o custo social da medida.

We cannot ignore the social cost of the measure.

Adjective 'social'.

7

O custo de substituição é proibitivo.

The replacement cost is prohibitive.

Adjective 'proibitivo' (too expensive).

8

Houve um custo imprevisto no orçamento.

There was an unforeseen cost in the budget.

Adjective 'imprevisto' (unforeseen).

1

O custo de transação inviabilizou o negócio.

The transaction cost made the business unfeasible.

Verb 'inviabilizar' (to make unfeasible).

2

A reforma terá um custo político elevado.

The reform will have a high political cost.

Future tense 'terá'.

3

Analisamos o custo-efetividade da vacina.

We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine.

Compound noun 'custo-efetividade'.

4

O custo de agência é um problema clássico.

Agency cost is a classic problem.

Advanced economic term.

5

A paz foi mantida a custo de concessões.

Peace was maintained at the cost of concessions.

Phrase 'a custo de'.

6

O custo cognitivo da tarefa é exaustivo.

The cognitive cost of the task is exhausting.

Adjective 'cognitivo'.

7

O custo de conformidade é uma barreira.

The cost of compliance is a barrier.

Term 'custo de conformidade'.

8

O custo histórico não reflete o valor real.

The historical cost does not reflect the real value.

Accounting term 'custo histórico'.

1

O custo d'alma transparece na sua obra.

The cost of the soul shows through in his work.

Poetic/Literary use.

2

A vitória foi um custo de Pirro.

The victory was a Pyrrhic victory (at too great a cost).

Idiom 'vitória de Pirro' implied by 'custo'.

3

Mitigar o custo sistêmico é imperativo.

Mitigating the systemic cost is imperative.

Verb 'mitigar' (to mitigate).

4

O custo de fricção na economia digital.

The friction cost in the digital economy.

Technical term 'custo de fricção'.

5

A custo de muito suor, ele venceu.

At the cost of much sweat (effort), he won.

Metonymy 'suor' for effort.

6

O custo da inação pode ser catastrófico.

The cost of inaction can be catastrophic.

Noun 'inação' (inaction).

7

Avaliar o custo de externalidades negativas.

Evaluating the cost of negative externalities.

Advanced economic concept.

8

O custo de desintermediação financeira.

The cost of financial disintermediation.

Highly technical term.

Colocaciones comunes

custo fixo
custo variável
custo operacional
custo total
custo médio
custo estimado
custo elevado
custo reduzido
custo adicional
custo direto

Frases Comunes

custo de vida
a todo o custo
preço de custo
custo-benefício
a baixo custo
custo zero
custo de envio
custo de manutenção
custo de oportunidade
custo de produção

Se confunde a menudo con

custo vs Preço (the market price)

custo vs Gasto (the act of spending)

custo vs Valor (intrinsic worth)

Modismos y expresiones

"custar os olhos da cara"
"a todo o custo"
"com muito custo"
"a custo de"
"custar caro"
"não custa nada"
"custar a crer"
"vitória a alto custo"
"custo de passagem"
"custar o couro e o cabelo"

Fácil de confundir

custo vs

custo vs

custo vs

custo vs

custo vs

Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

general

Very common, essential word.

business

Standard term for expenses.

figurative

Used for emotional or physical toll.

Errores comunes
  • Using 'a custo' instead of 'o custo'.
  • Confusing 'custo' with 'preço' in a shop.
  • Saying 'Eu custo' when you mean 'It's hard for me'.
  • Forgetting the hyphen in 'custo-benefício'.
  • Using 'custo' when 'despesa' is more specific for bills.

Consejos

Learn Collocations

Pair 'custo' with adjectives like 'fixo' or 'variável' to sound more advanced.

Gender Matters

Always use masculine articles with 'custo'. It is 'o custo'.

Custo Brasil

Research this term to understand Brazilian economic discussions.

Use Idioms

Say 'custou os olhos da cara' when something is very expensive.

Formal Tone

Use 'custo' instead of 'preço' when writing about business operations.

Economic News

Watch the financial news to hear 'custo' used in various contexts.

Association

Associate 'custo' with 'customs' - things you pay at the border.

Cost-Benefit

Always evaluate the 'custo-benefício' of your learning strategies.

Custo vs Gasto

Remember that 'custo' is the amount, 'gasto' is the act of spending.

Final O

The final 'o' is very soft, almost like a 'u'.

Memorízalo

Origen de la palabra

Latin

Contexto cultural

Often used in political discourse regarding economic reforms.

Commonly heard in discussions about the European Union and austerity.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"Qual é o custo de vida na sua cidade?"

"Você acha que este produto tem um bom custo-benefício?"

"Qual foi o maior custo imprevisto que você já teve?"

"Vale a pena viajar a todo o custo?"

"Como podemos reduzir o custo de produção?"

Temas para diario

Descreva uma decisão que teve um alto custo pessoal para você.

Analise o custo-benefício de aprender uma nova língua.

Como o custo de vida mudou na sua região nos últimos anos?

O que você faria se o custo da sua comida favorita dobrasse?

Escreva sobre um projeto que você completou com muito custo.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Custo is the expense to produce or the general cost, while preço is what the consumer pays.

It is masculine: o custo.

It means 'at all costs' or 'no matter what'.

Yes, especially in the phrase 'com muito custo' (with much difficulty).

In Portuguese, it is 'custo-benefício'.

It means 'cost of living'.

Yes, it is used equally in both countries.

The plural is 'custos'.

Yes, you can talk about a 'custo emocional' or 'custo pessoal'.

It is the price at which a product was bought or made, without profit.

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