C1 Expression 격식체

A custo.

With difficulty.

Describes an action performed with great effort or sacrifice.

🌍

문화적 배경

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.

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.

셀프 테스트

Complete a frase com a expressão correta.

O maratonista cruzou a linha de chegada ______, caindo de exaustão logo em seguida.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a custo

'A custo' is the standard adverbial phrase. No crase is used.

Qual frase usa 'a custo' de forma natural?

Selecione a opção correta:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A custo, conseguimos convencer o diretor a mudar de ideia.

This shows a psychological/persuasion struggle, which is a perfect use case.

Complete o diálogo.

Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar a tradução?' Pedro: 'Sim, ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: foi a custo

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.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Ele subiu a custo.

Describes physical effort correctly.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

A Custo vs. À Custa De

A Custo
Esforço próprio Own effort
À Custa De
Sacrifício de algo/alguém Sacrifice of something/someone

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Complete a frase com a expressão correta. Fill Blank B2

O maratonista cruzou a linha de chegada ______, caindo de exaustão logo em seguida.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a custo

'A custo' is the standard adverbial phrase. No crase is used.

Qual frase usa 'a custo' de forma natural? Choose C1

Selecione a opção correta:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: A custo, conseguimos convencer o diretor a mudar de ideia.

This shows a psychological/persuasion struggle, which is a perfect use case.

Complete o diálogo. dialogue_completion B1

Ana: 'Você conseguiu terminar a tradução?' Pedro: 'Sim, ______.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: foi a custo

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. situation_matching A2

Situação: Um idoso subindo uma ladeira íngreme.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Ele subiu a custo.

Describes physical effort correctly.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Not 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'.

관련 표현

🔄

A duras penas

synonym

With great difficulty and suffering.

🔗

Com sacrifício

similar

With sacrifice.

🔗

À custa de

specialized form

At the expense of.

🔗

Facilmente

contrast

Easily.

🔄

A ferros

synonym

With extreme difficulty (PT-PT).

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