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B2 verb 9 min de lecture

koste

Exemples Notes et astuces koste en 30 secondes
Explication koste in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners focus on the most practical and immediate use of 'koste': asking for the price of things in a shop or restaurant. You learn the phrase 'Hvad koster det?' (How much does it cost?) as a fixed chunk. You also learn to respond with numbers, such as 'Det koster ti kroner.' The focus is entirely on physical currency and the present tense. You might also encounter the word in simple advertisements or menus. The grammar is kept simple: Subject + koster + Price. There is no metaphorical use at this stage. The goal is survival in a Danish-speaking environment where you need to buy food, tickets, or clothes. You should practice saying 'koster' with a clear 'o' sound and a soft ending. It is one of the first 50 verbs most students learn because it is essential for daily life. You don't need to worry about past tense or complex subjects yet.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'koste' in more varied tenses and with more complex subjects. You can now talk about what things 'kostede' (cost) in the past, allowing you to compare prices or talk about your holiday expenses. You also start to see 'koste' used with time, though it is often interchangeable with 'tage'. For example, 'Det kostede tre timer at køre til Odense.' You are expected to handle plural subjects, such as 'Æblerne koster 20 kroner.' You also learn the difference between 'koste' (the verb) and 'pris' (the noun). You might begin to hear the word in weather reports or news snippets regarding minor price changes in the economy. Your sentences become longer, adding adjectives: 'Det koster for mange penge.' (It costs too much money). This level is about expanding the basic 'shopping' vocabulary into general life management.
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At the B1 level, you move into the metaphorical territory. You understand that 'koste' can refer to effort, energy, and consequences. You can express ideas like 'Det koster meget energi at arbejde i haven' (It costs/takes a lot of energy to work in the garden). You begin to use the perfect tense 'har kostet' to describe the cumulative cost of something over time. You also encounter common expressions like 'Det koster ikke noget at spørge' (It doesn't cost anything to ask). Your understanding of word order improves, and you can correctly place adverbs: 'Det koster normalt ikke så meget.' You are also introduced to the idea of 'omkostninger' (costs/expenses) as a related noun. At B1, you are expected to participate in discussions about lifestyle and habits where 'koste' is used to describe the trade-offs of different choices.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'koste' with nuance and precision. You understand and use the figurative 'cost' of life events, such as 'Fejlen kostede ham hans gode ry' (The mistake cost him his good reputation). You are familiar with more advanced idiomatic expressions like 'koste hvad det koste vil' (at any cost). You can distinguish between 'koste' and more formal alternatives like 'beløbe sig til' or 'medføre'. You also understand the colloquial 'at koste rundt med nogen' (to boss someone around). Your ability to use 'koste' in the passive voice or in complex subordinate clauses is developed. You can discuss political or social issues, using 'koste' to describe the impact on society or the environment. At this level, 'koste' is a tool for expressing complex relationships between actions and their results, far beyond the price of a cup of coffee.
At the C1 level, your use of 'koste' is near-native. You can use it in highly formal academic or professional contexts to describe abstract economic theories or complex social dynamics. You understand the subtle differences in register between 'Det koster en formue,' 'Det er pebret' (it's pricey), and 'Det medfører betydelige udgifter.' You can use 'koste' in stylistic writing to create impact, such as 'Hendes ambitioner kostede hende alt, hun holdt af.' You are also aware of historical or dialectal uses of the word. Your pronunciation is natural, including the correct prosody when using the word in long, complex sentences. You can debate the 'human cost' of global events with ease, using 'koste' as a central verb in your argumentation. You also recognize when 'koste' is used ironically or sarcastically in Danish humor.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'koste' in all its forms, including its rarest idiomatic uses and its role in classical Danish literature. You can manipulate the word to suit any creative or rhetorical purpose. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can effortlessly switch between the literal, metaphorical, and idiomatic meanings without hesitation. Whether you are analyzing a legal document where 'koste' defines liability or reading a poem where it symbolizes the weight of time, you grasp every layer of meaning. You can also teach the nuances of 'koste' to others, explaining why certain collocations work and others do not. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, including the use of subtle stress patterns to emphasize the 'cost' in a sentence.
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Exemples Notes et astuces

koste en 30 secondes

  • Koste is a verb meaning to have a financial price or to require effort and sacrifice.
  • It is a regular Danish verb conjugated as koster, kostede, har kostet.
  • Commonly used in shopping (Hvad koster det?) and figurative speech (Det kostede ham dyrt).
  • Can also mean to 'boss around' when paired with 'rundt med'.

The Danish verb koste is a versatile word that primarily translates to "to cost" in English. At its most basic level, it refers to the financial price of an object or service. However, as you progress toward B2 proficiency, you will discover that koste extends far beyond the marketplace. It is used to describe the expenditure of effort, time, and even the emotional or physical toll of an action. Understanding koste requires recognizing its dual role as both a literal indicator of price and a metaphorical indicator of sacrifice.

Financial Value
This is the most common usage. It indicates the amount of money required to purchase something. For example, 'Hvad koster denne bog?' (How much does this book cost?). It is a weak verb, following the standard conjugation pattern: koster, kostede, har kostet.
Consequence and Sacrifice
In more advanced contexts, koste describes what one must give up to achieve a goal. This could be 'koste dyrt' (to cost dearly/to be expensive in a metaphorical sense) or 'koste kræfter' (to require effort). If a mistake 'koster ham jobbet' (costs him his job), the verb denotes a loss resulting from an action.
The 'Bossing Around' Nuance
A unique Danish idiomatic use is 'at koste rundt med nogen,' which means to order someone around or boss them about. This originates from the noun 'kost' (broom), implying you are sweeping them around like dust.

Det kommer til at koste mange penge at renovere huset, men det vil også koste meget tid.

Translation: It is going to cost a lot of money to renovate the house, but it will also cost a lot of time.

When discussing the 'cost' of social or political decisions, koste is the go-to verb. For instance, a political scandal might 'koste ministeren hendes post' (cost the minister her position). This transition from the physical wallet to the metaphorical life-path is a hallmark of B2 level Danish. You aren't just buying milk anymore; you are weighing the costs of existence and ambition.

Fejlen endte med at koste virksomheden dens gode ry.

Translation: The mistake ended up costing the company its good reputation.

In summary, koste is a bridge between the material and the abstract. Whether you are at a 'loppemarked' (flea market) or discussing 'klimaforandringer' (climate change), this verb provides the framework for discussing value, price, and consequence.

Using koste correctly involves mastering its syntax in various contexts. In its simplest form, it takes a subject (the item) and a complement (the price). However, Danish grammar allows for more complex structures involving indirect objects when the 'cost' is incurred by someone.

Direct Price Inquiries
When asking for a price, use 'Hvad koster [genstand]?' or 'Hvor meget koster [genstand]?'. Both are equally valid, though 'Hvad koster...?' is slightly more common in spoken Danish. Example: 'Hvad koster en returbillet til Aarhus?'
The Indirect Object Construction
When an action costs someone something, the person becomes the indirect object. 'Det kostede ham dyrt.' (It cost him dearly). Note that the person affected comes immediately after the verb.
Future and Conditional Costs
Using 'vil koste' or 'ville koste' is essential for planning. 'Det vil koste en formue' (It will cost a fortune). The modal verb 'vil' indicates a future certainty or prediction of price.

Selvom det koster en del, er kvaliteten det værd.

Translation: Even though it costs quite a bit, the quality is worth it.

Another frequent pattern involves the phrase 'koste hvad det koste vil' (cost what it may / whatever it takes). This is a fixed expression used to show determination. It utilizes the subjunctive-like repetition of the verb to emphasize that the price is irrelevant compared to the goal.

Vi skal nå frem til tiden, koste hvad det koste vil.

Translation: We must arrive on time, whatever it takes.

Finally, when using koste with time, it often pairs with 'at' + infinitive. 'Det koster tid at lære et nyt sprog.' (It costs time/takes time to learn a new language). This structure mirrors the English 'it takes time,' making it an easy win for English speakers once they accept koste as the verb for 'take' in this specific context.

In Denmark, you will encounter the word koste in almost every social sphere, from the supermarket check-out to the evening news. It is a fundamental building block of Danish life, which revolves heavily around economic stability and social pragmatism.

The Supermarket (Netto, Føtex, Coop)
You'll hear it constantly: 'Hvad koster de her?' or 'De koster kun en tyver' (They only cost twenty kroner). Cashiers might use it when a price tag is missing: 'Jeg skal lige se, hvad den koster.'
News and Media (DR, TV2)
Journalists use 'koste' to discuss the national budget or the human cost of a crisis. 'Krigen har kostet mange menneskeliv' (The war has cost many human lives). Here, the word takes on a somber, heavy weight.
Workplace and Productivity
In meetings, a project manager might say, 'Hvor mange timer vil det koste os?' (How many hours will it cost us?). It emphasizes that time is a resource just as valuable as money.

Det kommer til at koste sved og tårer at vinde denne kamp.

Translation: It's going to cost sweat and tears to win this match.

In Danish cinema and literature, koste is often used to highlight the price of ambition. A character might achieve success but at a great personal cost. This thematic use reinforces the B2 learner's need to understand the word's emotional depth. It's not just about the price of a 'pølsehorn'; it's about the 'pris' (price) of a life well-lived or a mistake made.

Hvad koster en liter mælk i dag?

Translation: How much does a liter of milk cost today?

Whether you are listening to a podcast about the Danish economy or simply chatting with a neighbor about their new car, koste is the linguistic currency you will use to navigate the value of everything around you.

While koste seems straightforward, English speakers and even intermediate Danish learners often fall into specific traps. These range from word order issues to confusing the verb with its related noun or similar-sounding words.

Confusing 'Koste' and 'Pris'
Learners often say 'Hvad er koster?' instead of 'Hvad er prisen?' or 'Hvad koster det?'. Remember: koste is the action (verb), and pris is the thing (noun). You cannot use 'koste' as a noun to mean price.
Preposition Pitfalls
In English, we say 'It cost me $5'. In Danish, you don't need a preposition like 'for' or 'til' between the verb and the person. It is simply 'Det kostede mig 5 kroner'. Adding 'til' is a common error: 'Det kostede til mig' is incorrect.
Mixing up 'Koste' and 'Kaste'
This is a pronunciation/spelling error. 'At kaste' means to throw. Saying 'Jeg kastede 100 kroner' implies you physically threw the money away, not that you spent it. Pay close attention to the vowel sound: 'o' vs 'a'.

Fejlagtig: Hvad er koste på denne trøje? (Forkert)

Correct: Hvad koster denne trøje? or Hvad er prisen på denne trøje?

Another mistake involves the past tense. Since koste is a regular group 1 verb (ending in -ede), learners sometimes try to make it irregular because 'cost' is irregular in English (cost-cost-cost). In Danish, it is strictly koste - koster - kostede - har kostet. Don't try to say 'Det kost'.

Det kostede (ikke 'kost') ham dyrt at ignorere advarslen.

Translation: It cost him dearly to ignore the warning.

Lastly, be careful with the idiom 'at koste rundt med nogen'. If you just say 'han koster hende,' it doesn't mean he's bossing her around; it sounds like he's putting a price tag on her. You must include the 'rundt med' to get the 'bossing around' meaning.

To reach B2 and C1 levels, you need to vary your vocabulary. While koste is the standard, several other verbs and expressions can provide more precision or a more formal tone depending on the context.

Beløbe sig til (To amount to)
This is more formal and used in accounting or official reports. 'Regningen beløber sig til 500 kroner.' It sounds more professional than just saying 'Regningen koster...'.
Kræve (To require/demand)
When 'koste' is used for effort, 'kræve' is a strong alternative. 'Opgaven koster kræfter' vs. 'Opgaven kræver kræfter'. 'Kræve' implies a necessity rather than just an expenditure.
Medføre (To entail/result in)
Used for consequences. 'Beslutningen kostede mange penge' vs. 'Beslutningen medførte store omkostninger'. 'Medføre' focuses on the cause-and-effect chain.

Prisen står i 200 kroner.

Translation: The price is set at 200 kroner. (Common at auctions or markets).

If you are talking about 'spending' money rather than the 'cost' itself, use the verb at bruge (to use/spend). 'Jeg brugte 100 kroner' (I spent 100 kroner) vs. 'Det kostede 100 kroner' (It cost 100 kroner). The focus shifts from the object's price to your personal action.

Det vil kræve en enorm indsats at færdiggøre projektet.

Translation: It will require an enormous effort to finish the project.

By mastering these alternatives, you can express yourself with the nuance required for high-level Danish communication, moving from basic transactions to complex discussions about resources and consequences.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The Danish word 'kost' can mean both 'broom' and 'food/diet'. The verb 'koste' primarily relates to price, but the idiom 'at koste rundt med nogen' actually links back to the 'broom' meaning!

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈkʰʌsd̥ə/
US /ˈkɔstə/
The stress is on the first syllable: KOS-te.
Rime avec
poste moste hoste froste roste skoste voste loste
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the 'o' like 'oo' in 'food'.
  • Over-pronouncing the final 'e' instead of keeping it a neutral schwa.
  • Confusing the sound with 'kaste' (to throw).
  • Missing the stød in related noun forms (though the verb 'koste' itself usually lacks it).
  • Pronouncing the 't' too sharply; in Danish, it is often soft/unaspirated after 's'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to similarity to English 'cost'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of weak verb conjugation (-ede).

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation of the short 'o' and schwa 'e' is key.

Écoute 2/5

Clear and frequent in daily speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Penge Hvad Meget Tid At være

Apprends ensuite

Pris Billig Dyr At bruge At købe

Avancé

Omkostning
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Exemples par niveau

1

Hvad koster et æble?

How much does an apple cost?

Present tense, singular subject.

2

Det koster ti kroner.

It costs ten kroner.

Standard sentence structure: Subject + Verb + Price.

3

Koster kaffen meget?

Does the coffee cost a lot?

Inverted word order for a question.

4

Bogen koster 100 kroner.

The book costs 100 kroner.

Definite noun as subject.

5

Hvad koster de her sko?

How much do these shoes cost?

Plural subject with 'de her'.

6

Mælken koster ikke meget.

The milk doesn't cost much.

Negative sentence with 'ikke'.

7

Det koster fem euro.

It costs five euros.

Using foreign currency names.

8

Hvad koster en billet?

How much does a ticket cost?

Common travel inquiry.

1

Det kostede tyve kroner i går.

It cost twenty kroner yesterday.

Past tense 'kostede'.

2

Hvor meget har det kostet?

How much has it cost?

Present perfect tense.

3

Det vil koste penge at reparere bilen.

It will cost money to repair the car.

Future tense with 'vil'.

4

Det kostede to timer at læse bogen.

It cost/took two hours to read the book.

Using 'koste' with time.

5

Frokosten koster normalt 50 kroner.

Lunch normally costs 50 kroner.

Use of the adverb 'normalt'.

6

Det koster for meget for mig.

It costs too much for me.

Prepositional phrase 'for mig'.

7

Hvad koster det at parkere her?

How much does it cost to park here?

Infinitive phrase as subject/complement.

8

Jakken kostede kun halvdelen på udsalg.

The jacket only cost half on sale.

Past tense with quantifier 'halvdelen'.

1

Det koster ikke noget at spørge om hjælp.

It doesn't cost anything to ask for help.

Idiomatic use of 'ikke noget' for free/no risk.

2

Projektet har kostet os mange kræfter.

The project has cost us a lot of effort.

Metaphorical use with 'kræfter'.

3

Hvad koster det i fragt?

How much does it cost in shipping?

Prepositional use 'i fragt'.

4

Det koster tid at blive god til dansk.

It costs time to become good at Danish.

Abstract cost (time).

5

Ulykken kostede ingen menneskeliv.

The accident cost no human lives.

Serious metaphorical use (lives).

6

Det koster en bondegård!

It costs a farm! (It's very expensive)

Common Danish idiom for high price.

7

Hvor meget vil det koste at renovere køkkenet?

How much will it cost to renovate the kitchen?

Future conditional inquiry.

8

Det koster kassen at bo i København.

It costs the box! (It's very expensive)

Slang/informal idiom for high price.

1

Fejlen kostede ham hans politiske karriere.

The mistake cost him his political career.

Figurative cost with indirect object.

2

Vi må gennemføre planen, koste hvad det koste vil.

We must carry out the plan, whatever it takes.

Fixed idiom 'koste hvad det koste vil'.

3

Det koster dyrt at ignorere klimaforandringerne.

It costs dearly to ignore climate change.

Adverbial use 'koste dyrt'.

4

Chefens opførsel kostede virksomheden mange medarbejdere.

The boss's behavior cost the company many employees.

Cause and effect with 'koste'.

5

Han koster altid rundt med sine kolleger.

He is always bossing his colleagues around.

Idiom 'koste rundt med'.

6

Hvad koster det samfundet at have folk på dagpenge?

What does it cost society to have people on unemployment benefits?

Abstract societal cost.

7

Det kostede ham livet at redde barnet.

It cost him his life to save the child.

Extreme metaphorical cost.

8

Beslutningen koster os dyrt i det lange løb.

The decision costs us dearly in the long run.

Temporal phrase 'i det lange løb'.

1

Reformen vil koste betydelige ressourcer i implementeringsfasen.

The reform will cost significant resources in the implementation phase.

Formal/Academic register.

2

Hendes arrogance kostede hende sympatien fra vælgerne.

Her arrogance cost her the sympathy of the voters.

Abstract emotional cost.

3

Det koster at være med i frontløberfeltet.

It costs (takes a toll) to be among the frontrunners.

Elliptical use where 'det koster' implies a toll.

4

Uforsigtigheden kostede ham dyrt rent økonomisk.

The carelessness cost him dearly in purely economic terms.

Use of 'rent' + adjective for precision.

5

Man må vurdere, hvad det koster på den menneskelige konto.

One must assess what it costs on the human account.

Metaphorical 'konto' (account).

6

Det koster sved, blod og tårer at opnå succes.

It costs sweat, blood, and tears to achieve success.

Rhetorical triplet for emphasis.

7

Hvad koster det mon at vedligeholde så gammel en bygning?

I wonder what it costs to maintain such an old building?

Use of 'mon' for speculation.

8

Det kostede en krig at få ham til at indrømme fejlen.

It cost a war (it was extremely difficult) to get him to admit the mistake.

Hyperbolic idiom.

1

Investeringen kostede ham hans sjælefred.

The investment cost him his peace of mind.

Highly abstract/literary cost.

2

Det koster at bryde med de sociale normer.

There is a price to pay for breaking social norms.

Philosophical usage.

3

Hvorvidt det koster mere, end det gavner, er stadig uklart.

Whether it costs more than it benefits is still unclear.

Formal comparative structure.

4

Det kostede ham dyrt at sætte sandheden over loyaliteten.

It cost him dearly to prioritize truth over loyalty.

Complex moral trade-off.

5

Hvad det koster i tabt arbejdsfortjeneste, må vi beregne senere.

What it costs in lost earnings, we must calculate later.

Technical/Legal terminology.

6

Han koster rundt med folk, som om han ejer verden.

He bosses people around as if he owns the world.

Advanced use of 'koste rundt'.

7

Det koster en del overvejelser at træffe det rette valg.

It costs (requires) quite a bit of consideration to make the right choice.

Using 'en del' as a quantifier for abstract nouns.

8

Prisen kostede ham dyrt, men sejren var hans.

The price cost him dearly, but the victory was his.

Poetic/Literary phrasing.

Collocations courantes

koste dyrt
koste kassen
koste tid
koste kræfter
koste livet
koste en formue
koste hvad det vil
koste sved og tårer
koste gratis
koste penge

Phrases Courantes

Hvad koster det?

— Standard way to ask for a price.

Hvad koster det at leje en cykel?

Det koster ikke noget.

— It is free or involves no risk.

Det koster ikke noget at kigge.

Det koster en bondegård.

— It is extremely expensive.

At købe en lejlighed i København koster en bondegård.

Koste hvad det koste vil.

— Regardless of the price or effort required.

Vi skal finde en løsning, koste hvad det koste vil.

Det koster spidsen af en jetjager.

— It is incredibly expensive (modern idiom).

Den nye iPhone koster spidsen af en jetjager.

Det koster på kontoen.

— It has a negative impact on resources or reputation.

Dårlig service koster på kontoen hos kunderne.

Det koster dyre lærepenge.

— To learn a lesson through an expensive or painful mistake.

Investeringen slog fejl, og det blev dyre lærepenge.

Hvad koster en liter mælk?

— A common rhetorical question about basic cost of living.

Politikeren vidste ikke engang, hvad en liter mælk koster.

Det koster ikke en rød reje.

— It costs absolutely nothing.

Bogen var på tilbud, den kostede ikke en rød reje.

Det koster skjorten.

— It costs an arm and a leg (literally: the shirt).

Reparationen koster skjorten.

Expressions idiomatiques

"at koste rundt med nogen"

— To order someone around in an arrogant or domineering way.

Han elsker at koste rundt med de nye praktikanter.

Informal
"koste hvad det koste vil"

— No matter the cost or consequences.

Jeg vil have det job, koste hvad det koste vil.

Neutral
"det koster ikke noget at spørge"

— There is no harm in asking.

Du kan da prøve at bede om lønforhøjelse; det koster ikke noget at spørge.

Neutral
"det koster kassen"

— It is very expensive.

Det koster kassen at tage på skiferie.

Slang
"det koster spidsen af en jetjager"

— Extremely high price.

Hans nye bil kostede spidsen af en jetjager.

Informal
"det koster dyre lærepenge"

— A costly lesson learned through experience.

Han mistede alle sine penge på aktier; det var dyre lærepenge.

Neutral
"det koster skjorten"

— Very expensive.

En middag på den restaurant koster skjorten.

Informal
"koste blod, sved og tårer"

— To require immense effort and suffering.

At bygge huset selv kostede blod, sved og tårer.

Literary
"det koster på humøret"

— It negatively affects one's mood.

Det dårlige vejr koster på humøret.

Neutral
"koste en krig"

— To be very difficult or take a long time.

Det kostede en krig at få computeren til at virke.

Informal

Famille de mots

Noms

kost (broom/diet)
omkostning (cost/expense)
pris (price)
bekostning (expense/cost)

Verbes

bekoste (to pay for/finance)

Adjectifs

kostbar (precious/expensive)

Apparenté

penge
beløb
udgift
regning
værdi
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Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'COStly' item. 'Koste' sounds like 'cost' but with a Danish 'e' at the end. It's the price you pay for your 'COStly' Danish lessons!

Association visuelle

Imagine a price tag hanging off a broom. The price tag is the literal 'koste', and the broom reminds you of the idiom 'koste rundt' (bossing around).

Word Web

Penge Pris Tid Kræfter Livet Formue Billig Dyr

Défi

Try to use 'koste' in three different ways today: once for a price, once for time, and once for effort.

Origine du mot

From Middle Low German 'kosten', which in turn comes from Old French 'coster'.

Sens originel : To stand at a price, to be worth.

Germanic (borrowed from Romance roots).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'koste livet' (cost a life); it is a heavy expression used for tragedies and serious news.

In English, we say 'it takes time,' but in Danish, 'det koster tid' is very natural. English speakers often avoid using 'cost' for time, but in Danish, it's a primary choice.

The song 'Hvad koster en hilsen' by various artists. Political slogans regarding the 'human cost' of reforms. Danish proverbs about the price of pride.
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