Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective #1,800 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

caro

Top 1,800

At the A1 level, 'caro' is one of the first adjectives you learn to describe objects. It is used in its simplest form to talk about prices during shopping or dining. Learners at this stage focus on the basic masculine/feminine agreement: 'un café caro' vs 'una camisa cara'. The goal is to be able to identify if something is within budget. You will mostly use it with the verb 'ser' (to be) in the present tense. It is a vital word for survival Spanish, allowing you to react to prices in a market or store. You might also learn the basic intensifier 'muy' to say 'muy caro'. At this level, the focus is purely on monetary cost in immediate, concrete situations.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'caro' in comparisons and more complex sentences. You learn to say 'más caro que' (more expensive than) and 'el más caro' (the most expensive). You also start to use 'caro' with different tenses, like the preterite ('fue caro') or the future ('será caro'). You might encounter the adverbial use in simple phrases like 'vender caro'. The concept of 'lo barato sale caro' might be introduced as a common cultural proverb. You are expected to handle plural agreements ('estos zapatos son caros') consistently. You also begin to distinguish between 'caro' and 'barato' as a fundamental pair for describing the economy of daily life.

At the B1 level, 'caro' starts to appear in more abstract and idiomatic contexts. You might use it to describe the 'cost' of an action or a decision ('Me salió caro mentir'). You begin to use the superlative form 'carísimo' to express strong opinions. In terms of grammar, you might use 'caro' in subordinate clauses or with the subjunctive ('No creo que sea tan caro'). You also start to recognize synonyms like 'costoso' and understand when to use them for a slightly more formal tone. You can discuss the cost of living in different countries and use 'caro' to express nuances about quality versus price.

At the B2 level, you use 'caro' with high fluency in both literal and metaphorical senses. You can discuss complex economic topics, using 'caro' to describe market trends or inflation. You are familiar with a wide range of idioms, such as 'pagar caro' (to pay dearly for a mistake). You can use 'caro' as an adverb with a variety of verbs beyond just 'vender' or 'comprar'. Your use of the word is nuanced; you might use it to describe a 'caro' (dear) friend in a formal or literary speech. You can also handle the word in complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences ('Si no fuera tan caro, lo compraría').

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the etymological roots of 'caro' and its literary applications. You can use it to convey a sense of 'preciousness' or 'high value' in a way that goes beyond money. You are comfortable using 'caro' in academic or professional writing, though you might often choose more specific synonyms like 'oneroso' or 'dispendioso' depending on the register. You understand the subtle difference between 'un precio caro' (colloquial) and 'un precio elevado' (precise). You can analyze the use of 'caro' in Spanish literature, where it often signifies a high emotional or moral price paid by a protagonist.

At the C2 level, 'caro' is a tool you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You can use it in puns, wordplay, and sophisticated rhetoric. You understand its place in the history of the Spanish language and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use it in the most formal settings to mean 'dear' (e.g., 'mi cara esposa') without sounding dated if the context is right, or you can use it in the grittiest slang to discuss street prices. Your mastery of 'caro' includes all its idiomatic, adverbial, and adjectival forms, and you can switch between them effortlessly to suit any audience or purpose.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

caro en 30 secondes

Caro means expensive or costly in Spanish, used for high prices.
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (caro/cara/caros/caras).
It can also mean 'dear' or 'beloved' in literary or emotional contexts.
The most common antonym is 'barato', which means cheap or inexpensive.

The Spanish word caro is a fundamental adjective that primarily translates to 'expensive' or 'costly' in English. At its core, it describes anything that requires a large amount of money to purchase or maintain. However, its linguistic roots and usage in the Spanish-speaking world reveal a much deeper semantic field than just a price tag. In Spanish, 'caro' is derived from the Latin 'carus', which means 'dear' or 'beloved'. This dual heritage is still visible today; while it usually refers to monetary value, it can occasionally carry a sense of emotional value or high esteem, particularly in literary contexts or specific idioms. Understanding 'caro' is essential for A2 learners because it appears in daily conversations about shopping, travel, and lifestyle choices. It is the opposite of 'barato' (cheap). When you use 'caro', you are not just stating a fact about a price; you are often expressing a value judgment or a reaction to the economic reality of an object. For example, saying 'Este restaurante es caro' implies a comparison to one's budget or to other restaurants. The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: 'un libro caro', 'una casa cara', 'libros caros', 'casas caras'. This grammatical flexibility is a key hurdle for beginners but becomes second nature with practice.

Monetary Value: The most common use, referring to high prices in commerce and daily life.

Ese coche es demasiado caro para mi presupuesto actual.

Emotional Weight: In older or more formal Spanish, it can mean 'dear' in the sense of being highly valued or loved.

Me ha salido muy caro el error; he perdido un amigo.

¿Por qué es tan caro el alquiler en esta zona de la ciudad?

Consequential Cost: Refers to the high price paid in terms of effort, time, or suffering.

La victoria fue cara, pero valió la pena por el trofeo.

No compres esa chaqueta, es demasiado cara para la calidad que tiene.

Using caro correctly involves more than just knowing its definition; it requires understanding its grammatical placement and its interaction with verbs. As an adjective, 'caro' usually follows the noun it describes: 'un reloj caro'. However, for emphasis, it can occasionally precede the noun in poetic or highly rhetorical speech, though this is rare in daily life. The most important grammatical rule is agreement. If you are talking about 'zapatos' (masculine plural), you must use 'caros'. If you are talking about 'joyas' (feminine plural), you must use 'caras'. Another crucial aspect is the choice of verb. While 'ser' is the standard verb to describe the price of an object ('El oro es caro'), the verb 'costar' is often used to express the action of being expensive ('Cuesta mucho dinero'). Furthermore, the adverbial form 'caro' is used with verbs like 'vender' or 'comprar' to describe the manner of the transaction: 'Venden muy caro en esa tienda'. In this case, 'caro' does not change its ending because it functions as an adverb. For intermediate learners, 'caro' appears in complex structures like 'lo más caro' (the most expensive thing) or 'tan caro como' (as expensive as). Mastering these patterns allows you to navigate markets, negotiate prices, and express your opinions on the cost of living effectively.

Adjective Agreement: Must match the noun in gender (o/a) and number (s).

Las entradas para el concierto son muy caras.

Adverbial Usage: Used with verbs of commerce, 'caro' remains masculine singular.

En este mercado, las frutas se venden caro.

Este vino es carísimo, pero es el mejor de la bodega.

Comparisons: Use 'más caro que' for 'more expensive than'.

Vivir en Madrid es más caro que vivir en un pueblo pequeño.

La cara de la vendedora era seria porque el bolso era muy caro.

You will encounter caro in almost every corner of Spanish-speaking life. In the bustling markets of Mexico City, you might hear a vendor shouting about their prices, or a customer complaining that the tomatoes are 'caros' today. In the high-end boutiques of Madrid's Salamanca district, the word might be whispered with a sense of prestige. It is a staple of news broadcasts discussing inflation, the 'coste de la vida' (cost of living), and the 'precio de la gasolina' (gas price). Beyond literal commerce, 'caro' is a favorite in Spanish idioms and proverbs. 'Lo barato sale caro' is perhaps the most famous—a warning that buying cheap, low-quality items often leads to spending more money in the long run. In movies and TV shows, characters often use 'caro' to express regret: 'Me costó caro confiar en él' (It cost me dearly to trust him). This metaphorical usage elevates the word from a simple price descriptor to a tool for expressing deep personal loss or high stakes. Whether you are booking a hotel, buying groceries, or discussing the consequences of a political decision, 'caro' provides the necessary vocabulary to discuss value, cost, and consequence. It is also frequently heard in songs, often referring to the 'caro' price of love or a broken heart, blending the monetary and emotional meanings seamlessly.

At the Market: Negotiating prices and discussing the daily cost of food.

¡Oiga! Estas manzanas están muy caras hoy, ¿no?

In Business: Discussing investments, overhead costs, and luxury goods.

Mantener esta oficina en el centro es muy caro para la empresa.

Ese máster en la universidad privada es realmente caro.

In Literature/Songs: Expressing the high price of emotions or life lessons.

Pagué un precio muy caro por mi libertad.

No compres esa herramienta china; recuerda que lo barato sale caro.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Spanish is forgetting that caro is an adjective that must agree with the noun. Many students say 'La comida es caro' instead of the correct 'La comida es cara'. Because 'caro' ends in '-o', there is a natural tendency to treat it as a fixed word, but it is fully declinable. Another common mistake is confusing 'caro' with 'cara' (face). While they look identical in the feminine singular form, context usually prevents confusion, but it can lead to humorous slips of the tongue, such as saying 'Tienes una cara cara' (You have an expensive face). Additionally, learners often struggle with the difference between 'caro' and 'costoso'. While they are synonyms, 'costoso' is more formal and often refers to something that requires a lot of effort or resources, whereas 'caro' is the everyday word for price. A subtle mistake involves the use of 'caro' as an adverb. When you say 'vender caro', 'caro' does not change to 'cara' even if the items being sold are feminine (e.g., 'vender las manzanas caro'). This is because it is modifying the verb, not the noun. Finally, avoid using 'mucho caro'. In Spanish, you must use 'muy caro' (very expensive) or 'demasiado caro' (too expensive). 'Mucho' is used with nouns, while 'muy' is used with adjectives. Correcting these small errors will significantly improve your fluency and make your Spanish sound much more natural to native speakers.

Gender Mismatch: Using the masculine form for feminine nouns.

Incorrect: La blusa es caro. Correct: La blusa es cara.

Muy vs Mucho: Using 'mucho' with the adjective instead of 'muy'.

Incorrect: Es mucho caro. Correct: Es muy caro.

Ese viaje a Japón me salió carísimo.

Confusion with 'Cara': Mixing up the adjective 'expensive' (fem) with the noun 'face'.

Se le puso la cara roja cuando vio lo caro que era el menú.

El mantenimiento de un barco es muy caro.

While caro is the most common way to say 'expensive', Spanish offers several synonyms that carry different nuances. Costoso is a direct synonym but sounds more formal and sophisticated. It is often used in written reports or when discussing large-scale investments. Elevado (literally 'elevated') is used specifically with the word 'precio' (e.g., 'un precio elevado'). You wouldn't say 'un coche elevado' to mean expensive. Exorbitante is used when a price is not just high, but unreasonably so—out of this world. Valioso means 'valuable'; something can be valioso without being caro (like an old family photo), or it can be both. On the flip side, barato is the primary antonym. Económico is a more polite or marketing-friendly way to say cheap, similar to 'affordable' in English. Asequible means 'accessible' or 'within reach', referring to something that is easy to pay for. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right word for the right situation. For instance, if you are at a luxury car dealership, you might use 'costoso' to sound professional, but if you are complaining to a friend about the price of beer, 'caro' is the only way to go. In literary Spanish, you might even see dispendioso, which refers to something that involves great expense or wastefulness.

Caro vs Costoso: 'Caro' is informal/daily; 'Costoso' is formal/technical.

La reparación fue muy costosa y tardó meses.

Caro vs Valioso: 'Caro' refers to price; 'Valioso' refers to worth or importance.

Es un anillo valioso porque era de mi abuela, no porque fuera caro.

Buscamos un hotel económico para las vacaciones.

Caro vs Exorbitante: 'Exorbitante' is for prices that are shockingly high.

Los precios de los pisos en el centro son exorbitantes.

Esa cena estuvo un poco salada, ¿no crees?

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Informel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

El café es caro.

The coffee is expensive.

Masculine singular agreement.

La casa es cara.

The house is expensive.

Feminine singular agreement.

Los libros son caros.

The books are expensive.

Masculine plural agreement.

Las camisas son caras.

The shirts are expensive.

Feminine plural agreement.

Es muy caro.

It is very expensive.

Use of 'muy' as an intensifier.

No es caro.

It is not expensive.

Negative sentence structure.

¿Es caro el reloj?

Is the watch expensive?

Question structure.

Un coche caro.

An expensive car.

Adjective following the noun.

Este hotel es más caro que el otro.

This hotel is more expensive than the other one.

Comparative structure 'más... que'.

La ropa aquí es muy cara.

The clothes here are very expensive.

Adverb 'aquí' modifying the context.

Compré un teléfono caro.

I bought an expensive phone.

Preterite tense 'compré'.

Lo barato sale caro.

Cheap things turn out expensive.

Common proverb.

No quiero comprar algo tan caro.

I don't want to buy something so expensive.

Use of 'tan' for emphasis.

Las manzanas están caras hoy.

The apples are expensive today.

Use of 'estar' for temporary price state.

Es el restaurante más caro de la ciudad.

It is the most expensive restaurant in the city.

Superlative structure.

Venden el pan muy caro.

They sell the bread very expensively.

Adverbial use of 'caro'.

Si fuera menos caro, lo compraría.

If it were less expensive, I would buy it.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

Este error me ha salido muy caro.

This mistake has cost me dearly.

Metaphorical use with 'salir'.

Es carísimo vivir en Londres.

It is extremely expensive to live in London.

Absolute superlative '-ísimo'.

No creo que ese coche sea tan caro.

I don't think that car is so expensive.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

Buscamos una opción que no sea cara.

We are looking for an option that isn't expensive.

Subjunctive in relative clause.

El mantenimiento es más caro de lo que pensaba.

The maintenance is more expensive than I thought.

Comparison with 'de lo que'.

Me parece un precio excesivamente caro.

It seems like an excessively expensive price to me.

Use of adverb 'excesivamente'.

Aunque es caro, vale la pena.

Although it's expensive, it's worth it.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

Pagarás caro tu atrevimiento.

You will pay dearly for your audacity.

Future tense with metaphorical 'pagar caro'.

La victoria resultó más cara de lo previsto.

The victory turned out to be more costly than expected.

Metaphorical cost of effort.

Es un producto caro, pero de alta gama.

It's an expensive product, but high-end.

Contrast using 'pero'.

No por ser más caro es necesariamente mejor.

Just because it's more expensive doesn't mean it's necessarily better.

Complex logical structure.

El alquiler se ha puesto por las nubes, está carísimo.

Rent has skyrocketed; it's extremely expensive.

Idiom 'por las nubes'.

A la larga, lo barato siempre sale caro.

In the long run, the cheap option always turns out expensive.

Temporal phrase 'a la larga'.

Vender caro su pellejo es lo que hizo el guerrero.

The warrior sold his life dearly (fought hard).

Idiomatic expression 'vender caro su pellejo'.

Resulta caro mantener una familia numerosa.

It turns out to be expensive to support a large family.

Infinitive as subject.

Su ausencia le costó caro en términos políticos.

His absence cost him dearly in political terms.

Abstract cost in professional context.

Era un objeto caro a sus sentimientos.

It was an object dear to his feelings.

Literary use of 'caro' as 'dear'.

La empresa ha pagado caro su falta de innovación.

The company has paid dearly for its lack of innovation.

Perfect tense for past consequences.

No es de extrañar que el servicio sea tan caro.

It's no wonder the service is so expensive.

Subjunctive after 'no es de extrañar que'.

Aquel fue un caro anhelo que nunca alcanzó.

That was a dear longing that he never achieved.

Poetic placement of adjective before noun.

La reforma resultó ser un proceso largo y caro.

The reform turned out to be a long and expensive process.

Double adjective description.

El precio de la libertad suele ser caro.

The price of freedom is usually high.

Philosophical usage.

Se vende caro, no acepta cualquier oferta de trabajo.

He values himself highly; he doesn't accept just any job offer.

Reflexive 'venderse caro'.

¡Cuán caro me es este recuerdo!

How dear this memory is to me!

Exclamatory 'cuán' with literary 'caro'.

La osadía de desafiar al destino le salió cara.

The audacity of challenging fate cost her dearly.

High-level narrative style.

Es un análisis harto caro para las pretensiones del autor.

It is a quite costly analysis for the author's pretensions.

Use of archaic/formal 'harto'.

Lo que es caro al corazón no tiene precio en el mercado.

What is dear to the heart has no price in the market.

Philosophical contrast.

El erario público sufrió un caro revés.

The public treasury suffered a costly setback.

Formal/Bureaucratic register.

A fuer de ser sincero, el proyecto es demasiado caro.

To be honest, the project is too expensive.

Idiom 'a fuer de'.

Su silencio se vendió caro en el juicio.

His silence was sold dearly in the trial.

Passive 'se' with metaphorical cost.

La gloria es una amante cara y exigente.

Glory is an expensive and demanding mistress.

Personification and metaphor.

Collocations courantes

precio caro

vender caro

salir caro

pagar caro

muy caro

demasiado caro

caro de mantener

caro de producir

tan caro como

más caro que

Phrases Courantes

¡Qué caro!

Es un poco caro.

Lo más caro.

No es tan caro.

Vivir es caro.

Un gusto caro.

Precio muy caro.

Algo caro.

Nada caro.

Demasiado caro.

Souvent confondu avec

caro vs cara (face)

caro vs claro (clear)

caro vs carro (car)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

caro vs cara

Means 'face' (noun) or 'expensive' (feminine adjective).

caro vs carro

Means 'car' in Latin America; sounds similar but has a double 'r'.

caro vs claro

Means 'clear' or 'of course'; only one letter difference.

caro vs costoso

More formal synonym for 'caro'.

caro vs valioso

Refers to worth/value, not necessarily price.

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

adverbial

As an adverb, it is always 'caro', never 'cara'.

ser vs estar

Use 'ser' for general prices and 'estar' for current, possibly fluctuating prices at a market.

Erreurs courantes

Adjectives must agree with the feminine noun 'comida'.
Use 'muy' with adjectives, not 'mucho'.
While 'precio caro' is common in speech, 'precio elevado' is more correct in writing.
When modifying the verb 'vender', 'caro' is an adverb and doesn't change.
Not technically an error, but 'caro' is much more natural in casual speech.

Astuces

Agreement is Key

Always match 'caro' with the noun. If you're talking about 'las entradas' (the tickets), you must say 'caras'.

Use Synonyms

To sound more advanced, use 'costoso' in formal situations or 'carísimo' to show strong emotion.

Reaction Phrase

Practice saying '¡Qué caro!' with a shocked expression. It's a very common and natural reaction in Spanish.

Haggling

In some markets, if you say 'está muy caro', the vendor might offer you a lower price. It's part of the culture!

Wise Words

Memorize 'lo barato sale caro'. It's a great phrase to use when someone buys something of poor quality.

Context Clues

If you hear 'cara', check if the person is pointing to their face or a price tag to know the meaning.

Adverbial Form

When using 'caro' with 'vender', don't change it to 'cara'. It stays 'caro' because it's an adverb.

Car Association

Associate 'caro' with a luxury 'car'. It's an easy way to never forget the meaning.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'elevado' when talking about prices in a professional presentation to sound more sophisticated.

Comparison Rule

Use 'más caro que' for comparisons. It's a very common structure you'll need often.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

Prices in big cities like Madrid and Barcelona are notoriously 'caros'.

Regateo (haggling) is used when a price feels too 'caro'.

Use 'salado' as a synonym for 'caro' in informal speech.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que esta ciudad es cara?"

"¿Cuál es el objeto más caro que has comprado?"

"¿Te parece que el café aquí es caro?"

"¿Qué cosas son más caras en tu país?"

"¿Prefieres comprar cosas baratas o caras?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe una vez que compraste algo caro y te arrepentiste.

¿Por qué crees que la vida es tan cara hoy en día?

Escribe sobre un objeto caro que te gustaría tener.

Explica el significado de 'lo barato sale caro' con un ejemplo personal.

Compara los precios de tu ciudad actual con otra ciudad que conozcas.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In 95% of modern conversation, yes. However, in literature or very formal speech, it can mean 'dear' or 'beloved', similar to the English 'my dear friend'.

'Caro' is the everyday word used by everyone. 'Costoso' is more formal and is often used in business or writing to describe something that requires a large investment.

Yes. While 'ser caro' is more common, 'estar caro' is used to say that something is expensive *right now*, like fruit at a market that changes price daily.

You say 'es demasiado caro'. 'Demasiado' means 'too much' or 'too'.

It is primarily an adjective, but it can function as an adverb with verbs like 'vender' (to sell) or 'comprar' (to buy).

The feminine form is 'cara'. For example, 'una bicicleta cara'.

You use the structure 'el más caro' or 'la más cara', depending on the noun.

It is a proverb meaning 'the cheap option ends up being expensive' because you often have to replace it or fix it soon.

Only in a very formal or poetic way to mean 'dear'. If you say a person is 'caro', people might think you mean they cost a lot of money to maintain!

The most common opposite is 'barato'. You can also use 'económico' or 'asequible'.