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A1 adjective #2,500 가장 일반적인 11분 분량

cara

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 cara 30초 만에
설명 cara in your Level:
At the A1 level, your primary goal is to learn basic vocabulary for survival and simple daily interactions. The word 'cara' is essential here because you will often need to talk about prices when shopping, eating out, or traveling. 'Cara' simply means 'expensive'. The most important rule to remember at this stage is that 'cara' is used specifically for feminine words (words that usually end in 'a', like 'a casa', 'a maçã', 'a água'). If you want to say 'The apple is expensive', you say 'A maçã é cara'. If the word is masculine, like 'o carro' (the car), you must use 'caro'. You will frequently use 'cara' with the verbs 'ser' (to be) and 'estar' (to be). Use 'é cara' when something is generally expensive, like a diamond. Use 'está cara' when something is expensive right now, like fruit at the market. Practice combining 'cara' with basic nouns you know: a roupa (clothes), a comida (food), a passagem (ticket). This will help you navigate basic transactions and express your opinion on prices during your early Portuguese conversations. Remember to always place the adjective after the noun: 'uma bolsa cara' (an expensive bag).
At the A2 level, you can start using 'cara' in more complex sentences, particularly for making comparisons. You already know that 'cara' means expensive for feminine nouns. Now, you can learn to say that something is 'more expensive' or 'less expensive'. To say 'more expensive', use 'mais cara'. For example, 'A carne é mais cara que o frango' (Meat is more expensive than chicken). To say 'less expensive', use 'menos cara'. You can also start using intensifiers to add detail to your descriptions. Instead of just saying something is expensive, you can say it is 'muito cara' (very expensive), 'um pouco cara' (a little expensive), or 'demais' (too much - e.g., 'cara demais'). This allows you to express a wider range of opinions about prices. Additionally, at this level, you should be comfortable pluralizing the adjective. If you are talking about multiple feminine items, 'cara' becomes 'caras'. For example, 'As passagens estão muito caras' (The tickets are very expensive). Practicing these comparative and plural forms will significantly improve your ability to discuss shopping, travel plans, and daily expenses with native speakers.
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At the B1 level, your use of 'cara' expands beyond simple physical objects to more abstract concepts. While you still use it for clothes and food, you can now apply it to situations, decisions, and broader economic concepts. For instance, you can talk about 'a vida' (life) being expensive: 'A vida na capital é muito cara' (Life in the capital is very expensive). You can also describe a mistake or a decision as expensive, meaning it had a high cost in terms of consequences: 'Foi uma decisão cara para a empresa' (It was an expensive decision for the company). At this intermediate stage, you should also clearly understand the difference between 'ser cara' (inherent characteristic) and 'estar cara' (temporary state due to inflation or market changes). Furthermore, you will encounter 'cara' in common expressions and start to understand the cultural context of complaining about prices, which is a common topic of small talk in Portuguese-speaking countries. You should also be aware of the adverbial use of 'caro' (e.g., 'custar caro') and ensure you don't confuse it with the adjective 'cara' when modifying feminine nouns.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to have a nuanced understanding of 'cara', including its syntactic flexibility and idiomatic usage. A crucial distinction at this level is the placement of the adjective. You know that 'uma bolsa cara' means an expensive bag. However, placing the adjective before the noun changes its meaning to 'dear' or 'beloved'. 'Minha cara amiga' means 'my dear friend', not 'my expensive friend'. This is a vital grammatical nuance that demonstrates higher-level proficiency. You should also be comfortable using synonyms to avoid repetition in your speech and writing. Instead of always saying 'cara', you can use words like 'dispendiosa' (costly) in formal contexts, or 'salgada' (salty/pricey) in informal, conversational settings. You will also start using 'cara' in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive mood: 'Duvido que a casa seja tão cara assim' (I doubt the house is that expensive). Your ability to seamlessly integrate 'cara' into varied sentence structures, while maintaining perfect gender and number agreement, is a hallmark of B2 proficiency.
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At the C1 level, your command of 'cara' should be near-native, characterized by the use of rich idioms and an understanding of subtle sociolinguistic registers. You should effortlessly employ expressions like 'custar os olhos da cara' (to cost the eyes from the face), which is the Portuguese equivalent of 'to cost an arm and a leg'. You understand that 'cara' can carry emotional weight; for example, 'uma vitória cara' implies a pyrrhic victory, where the cost of winning was devastatingly high. In professional and academic contexts, you know when to substitute 'cara' with more elevated vocabulary like 'oneroso' or 'dispendioso'. You can engage in deep, complex discussions about macroeconomics, inflation, and the cost of living, using 'cara' as a foundational descriptive tool within sophisticated arguments. You are also completely immune to the common pitfalls of confusing the adjective 'cara' with the noun 'cara' (face/guy), even in rapid, colloquial speech where the words might appear consecutively. Your usage is fluid, contextually appropriate, and grammatically flawless.
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At the C2 level, 'cara' is fully integrated into your linguistic repertoire, and you can manipulate it for literary, rhetorical, or poetic effect. You understand the deepest nuances of the word, recognizing how it can be used ironically or sarcastically. For instance, describing a cheap, poorly made item as 'uma joia cara' with a specific intonation conveys sarcasm perfectly. You are comfortable reading classic Portuguese literature where the placement and usage of 'cara' might follow archaic or highly stylized patterns. You can write persuasive essays or deliver speeches where the concept of something being 'cara' is explored not just financially, but morally, ethically, or socially (e.g., 'A liberdade é uma conquista cara' - Freedom is an expensive/hard-won achievement). At this mastery level, you don't just know the rules; you know how to bend them for stylistic purposes, and your vocabulary surrounding the concept of cost, value, and expense is as broad and nuanced as that of an educated native speaker.
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cara 30초 만에

  • Means 'expensive' for feminine nouns.
  • Opposite of 'barata' (cheap).
  • Must agree in gender and number.
  • Placed after the noun (e.g., casa cara).
The Portuguese adjective 'cara' is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates to 'expensive' in English, specifically used when referring to feminine singular nouns. Understanding how to use 'cara' is essential for anyone learning Portuguese, as it frequently appears in daily conversations, especially those involving shopping, budgeting, and evaluating the value of items or services. In Portuguese, adjectives must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify. Therefore, 'cara' is the feminine singular form of the base adjective 'caro'. When you are talking about a feminine noun, such as 'a casa' (the house), 'a roupa' (the clothes), or 'a comida' (the food), and you want to express that it costs a lot of money, you must use 'cara'.
Gender Agreement
Always ensure the noun is feminine singular before using 'cara'. If it is masculine, use 'caro'.

A jaqueta que eu comprei ontem foi muito cara.

Beyond its literal meaning of costing a lot of money, 'cara' can also imply that something is overpriced or not worth the financial investment. This nuance is heavily dependent on the context and the speaker's tone of voice. For instance, saying a luxury car is 'cara' is a statement of fact, but saying a simple cup of coffee is 'cara' implies a complaint about the price.
Contextual Nuance
The word can denote both objective high cost and subjective overpricing.

Esta loja é cara demais para o meu orçamento.

It is also important to distinguish the adjective 'cara' from the noun 'cara'. As a noun, 'a cara' means 'the face', and 'o cara' is informal slang for 'the guy' or 'the dude'. This dual identity of the word can sometimes confuse beginners, but the syntactic placement usually clarifies the meaning immediately. An adjective will typically follow a noun or a linking verb, whereas the noun will be preceded by an article.

A passagem aérea para o Brasil está muito cara este ano.

When learning 'cara', you should also familiarize yourself with its opposites and synonyms to enrich your vocabulary. The most common antonym is 'barata' (cheap), which follows the exact same rules of gender and number agreement.
Antonym Usage
Use 'barata' when the feminine item costs very little money.

A bolsa não é cara, na verdade é bem barata.

In summary, mastering the word 'cara' involves understanding its meaning as 'expensive', its grammatical requirement to modify feminine singular nouns, its potential to express subjective complaints about price, and its distinction from identical-sounding nouns. By practicing its use in various contexts, from grocery shopping to discussing real estate, learners can significantly improve their conversational fluency and comprehension in Portuguese.

A vida na cidade grande é sempre mais cara.

Using the adjective 'cara' correctly in Portuguese requires a solid grasp of sentence structure, particularly the placement of adjectives and their agreement with nouns. In Portuguese, descriptive adjectives like 'cara' typically follow the noun they modify. This is a fundamental rule that differs from English, where adjectives usually precede the noun. Therefore, you would say 'uma casa cara' (an expensive house) rather than 'uma cara casa'.
Adjective Placement
Place 'cara' immediately after the feminine singular noun it describes.

Ela comprou uma televisão cara para a sala.

Another extremely common way to use 'cara' is as a predicative adjective, meaning it follows a linking verb such as 'ser' (to be - permanent), 'estar' (to be - temporary), 'ficar' (to become/get), or 'parecer' (to seem). When used with 'ser', it implies that the item is inherently expensive, perhaps a luxury good.
Using with 'Ser'
Indicates a permanent state of being expensive.

A joia é muito cara porque é feita de ouro puro.

Conversely, when used with 'estar', it suggests a temporary state, such as a price fluctuation due to inflation or a specific market condition. This distinction is crucial for expressing precise meanings in Portuguese.
Using with 'Estar'
Indicates a temporary state or current price level.

A carne está muito cara no supermercado esta semana.

You can also modify 'cara' with adverbs of intensity to express just how expensive something is. Common modifiers include 'muito' (very), 'pouco' (a little), 'bastante' (quite), 'demais' (too much), and 'super' (super). Note that these adverbs do not change their form to agree with the noun; they remain invariable while 'cara' agrees with the feminine noun.

A mensalidade da escola ficou super cara este ano.

Furthermore, 'cara' is often used in comparative and superlative structures. To say something is 'more expensive than', you use 'mais cara que' or 'mais cara do que'. To say it is the 'most expensive', you use 'a mais cara'.

Esta é a viagem mais cara que já fizemos.

By mastering these syntactic patterns—post-noun placement, linking verbs, intensity modifiers, and comparative structures—you will be able to use 'cara' fluently and accurately in a wide variety of communicative contexts.
The word 'cara' is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking environments, as discussions about money, prices, and the cost of living are universal aspects of daily life. One of the most common places you will hear 'cara' is in commercial settings, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, and local markets. Shoppers frequently use it to comment on the price of goods, comparing different brands or lamenting inflation.
Retail Environments
Used extensively when evaluating the price of clothing, groceries, and electronics.

Nossa, essa blusa está muito cara, não vou levar.

Another prominent context is the real estate market. Whether people are looking to rent an apartment or buy a house, the cost is always a primary concern. Because the words for house ('casa') and property/residence ('residência') are feminine, 'cara' is the go-to adjective.
Real Estate
Used to describe high rent or property purchase prices.

A moradia no centro da cidade é extremamente cara.

You will also hear 'cara' frequently in restaurants and cafes. When diners review a menu or receive the bill, they might comment on the cost of a specific dish or the overall meal. Since words like 'comida' (food), 'refeição' (meal), 'bebida' (drink), and 'conta' (bill) are feminine, 'cara' is highly applicable.
Dining Out
Commonly used when discussing the bill or menu prices.

A comida estava deliciosa, mas a conta saiu bem cara.

Beyond tangible goods and services, 'cara' is often used in broader, more abstract discussions about the economy and the cost of living. News broadcasts, casual conversations among friends, and political debates frequently touch upon how 'a vida' (life) or 'a gasolina' (gasoline) is becoming increasingly expensive.

Com a inflação, a vida está cada vez mais cara para todos.

Finally, 'cara' can be heard in idiomatic or metaphorical contexts. For example, a mistake or a bad decision can be described as 'uma lição cara' (an expensive lesson), meaning it cost a lot of time, effort, or emotional distress, not just money.

Foi uma decisão cara que comprometeu o futuro da empresa.

Understanding these diverse contexts will help you not only recognize the word but also understand the cultural and situational nuances of its usage.
While 'cara' is a relatively simple adjective, learners of Portuguese often make a few predictable mistakes when using it. The most frequent error is a failure to ensure gender agreement. Because English adjectives do not change based on gender, English speakers often default to the masculine form 'caro' even when describing a feminine noun.
Gender Disagreement
Using 'caro' with a feminine noun instead of 'cara'.

Incorreto: A camisa é caro. Correto: A camisa é cara.

Another common mistake involves pluralization. When describing multiple feminine items, the adjective must also be pluralized to 'caras'. Learners sometimes forget this step, leaving the adjective in the singular form while the noun is plural.
Number Disagreement
Failing to add the 's' when the feminine noun is plural.

Incorreto: As frutas estão cara. Correto: As frutas estão caras.

A more subtle but significant mistake relates to adjective placement. As mentioned earlier, placing 'cara' before the noun changes its meaning entirely. If a learner wants to say 'an expensive friend' (perhaps a friend who costs a lot of money to keep up with), they must say 'uma amiga cara'. If they say 'uma cara amiga', they are saying 'a dear friend'.
Incorrect Placement
Putting 'cara' before the noun when meaning 'expensive'.

Minha cara amiga me deu uma bolsa cara.

Learners also sometimes confuse the adjective 'cara' with the adverb 'caro'. In Portuguese, when referring to the action of costing, 'caro' acts as an invariable adverb. For example, 'A casa custou caro' (The house cost dearly/a lot). Even though 'casa' is feminine, 'caro' does not change to 'cara' here because it modifies the verb 'custar', not the noun 'casa'.

A viagem foi cara, mas não custou tão caro quanto eu pensava.

Finally, a common conversational pitfall is confusing the adjective 'cara' with the slang noun 'cara' (guy/dude). While context usually makes it clear, a learner might hear 'O cara comprou uma moto cara' (The guy bought an expensive motorcycle) and get confused by the repetition. Recognizing the syntactic role of the word—whether it follows an article as a noun or modifies a noun as an adjective—is key to avoiding this confusion.

Aquele cara achou a cerveja muito cara.

Expanding your vocabulary beyond 'cara' allows for more precise and varied expression in Portuguese. There are several synonyms and related terms that convey the idea of high cost, each with its own slight nuance. One formal synonym is 'dispendiosa'. This word is used to describe something that requires a large expenditure of money, often used in written or formal contexts, such as business reports or academic papers.
Dispendiosa
A formal synonym meaning costly or requiring great expense.

A manutenção da máquina é bastante dispendiosa, ou seja, muito cara.

Another related word is 'custosa'. While it can mean expensive, it often carries the additional connotation of being difficult, arduous, or requiring a lot of effort, not just financial cost. For example, a task can be 'custosa'.
Custosa
Means costly, but often implies effort or difficulty as well.

Foi uma vitória custosa, que exigiu muito sacrifício.

In informal, everyday Portuguese, especially in Brazil, you might hear the word 'salgada' (literally 'salty') used metaphorically to mean expensive. If a bill or a price is 'salgada', it means it is unpleasantly high, much like food with too much salt.
Salgada
An informal, metaphorical way to say a price is painfully high.

A conta de luz veio bem salgada este mês, está muito cara.

Another word to consider is 'valiosa' (valuable). While 'cara' simply means it costs a lot of money, 'valiosa' implies that the item has high intrinsic worth or value. An item can be 'cara' without being 'valiosa' (overpriced), and it can be 'valiosa' without being 'cara' (a bargain or a sentimental item).

A pintura não é apenas cara, é uma obra de arte extremamente valiosa.

Lastly, the expression 'pela hora da morte' is a dramatic idiom used to describe something that is outrageously expensive. It translates literally to 'at the hour of death', implying the price is so high it could kill you.

A gasolina está pela hora da morte, absurdamente cara.

By integrating words like dispendiosa, custosa, salgada, and valiosa into your vocabulary, you can express the concept of 'expensive' with much greater accuracy and cultural flair.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Noun-Adjective Gender Agreement

Noun-Adjective Number Agreement

Adjective Placement (Pre-noun vs Post-noun)

Verbs Ser vs Estar with Adjectives

Comparatives of Superiority (mais + adjetivo + que)

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수준별 예문

1

A maçã é cara.

The apple is expensive.

Feminine singular agreement with 'maçã'.

2

A roupa está cara.

The clothing is expensive (right now).

Using 'estar' for temporary price.

3

A casa é muito cara.

The house is very expensive.

Adding 'muito' for intensity.

4

Esta bolsa é cara?

Is this bag expensive?

Question structure.

5

A água não é cara.

The water is not expensive.

Negative sentence.

6

Uma viagem cara.

An expensive trip.

Noun + adjective phrase.

7

A bicicleta é cara.

The bicycle is expensive.

Feminine noun agreement.

8

A comida aqui é cara.

The food here is expensive.

Using location 'aqui'.

1

A carne é mais cara que o frango.

Meat is more expensive than chicken.

Comparative structure 'mais... que'.

2

As passagens estão muito caras.

The tickets are very expensive.

Plural feminine agreement 'caras'.

3

Esta é a loja mais cara da cidade.

This is the most expensive store in the city.

Superlative structure 'a mais cara'.

4

A televisão ficou cara de repente.

The television became expensive suddenly.

Using 'ficar' for change of state.

5

A mensalidade é um pouco cara.

The monthly fee is a little expensive.

Using 'um pouco' as a modifier.

6

A blusa não é tão cara assim.

The blouse is not that expensive.

Structure 'não é tão... assim'.

7

Comprei uma câmera muito cara.

I bought a very expensive camera.

Past tense context.

8

A gasolina está cada vez mais cara.

Gasoline is getting more and more expensive.

Expression 'cada vez mais'.

1

A vida em São Paulo é bastante cara.

Life in São Paulo is quite expensive.

Abstract noun 'vida'.

2

Foi uma decisão cara para a empresa.

It was an expensive decision for the company.

Metaphorical use of 'cara'.

3

Acho que a cirurgia vai ser muito cara.

I think the surgery is going to be very expensive.

Future tense with 'vai ser'.

4

A manutenção deste carro é super cara.

The maintenance of this car is super expensive.

Using 'super' as an informal prefix/modifier.

5

Apesar de ser cara, a qualidade é excelente.

Despite being expensive, the quality is excellent.

Concessive clause 'Apesar de'.

6

A conta de luz veio absurdamente cara este mês.

The electricity bill came absurdly expensive this month.

Adverb 'absurdamente' modifying the adjective.

7

Se a viagem for muito cara, não iremos.

If the trip is too expensive, we won't go.

Future subjunctive 'for'.

8

Ela sempre compra a marca mais cara.

She always buys the most expensive brand.

Superlative modifying 'marca'.

1

Minha cara amiga, essa bolsa é muito cara.

My dear friend, that bag is very expensive.

Contrast between pre-noun (dear) and post-noun (expensive).

2

Duvido que a reforma da casa seja tão cara.

I doubt the house renovation is that expensive.

Present subjunctive 'seja'.

3

A educação de qualidade é uma mercadoria cara hoje em dia.

Quality education is an expensive commodity nowadays.

Complex noun phrase.

4

Por mais cara que seja, eu vou comprar a passagem.

However expensive it may be, I will buy the ticket.

Concessive structure 'Por mais... que'.

5

A fatura do cartão de crédito está incrivelmente cara.

The credit card bill is incredibly expensive.

Advanced adverb modifier.

6

Trata-se de uma tecnologia cara e de difícil acesso.

It is an expensive technology that is difficult to access.

Formal structure 'Trata-se de'.

7

A ignorância é a doença mais cara da sociedade.

Ignorance is the most expensive disease in society.

Philosophical/metaphorical usage.

8

A menos que a taxa fique menos cara, cancelaremos o contrato.

Unless the fee becomes less expensive, we will cancel the contract.

Subjunctive with 'A menos que'.

1

A inflação tornou a cesta básica proibitivamente cara.

Inflation has made the basic food basket prohibitively expensive.

Verb 'tornar' + adverb 'proibitivamente'.

2

Foi uma vitória cara, que custou a reputação do político.

It was a costly victory, which cost the politician's reputation.

Metaphorical 'costly/pyrrhic'.

3

A ineficiência governamental é uma conta cara que todos pagamos.

Government inefficiency is an expensive bill we all pay.

Extended metaphor.

4

Essa brincadeira vai sair muito cara para os responsáveis.

This joke is going to end up being very expensive for those responsible.

Idiom 'sair cara' (to end up costing a lot).

5

A soberania de um país é uma joia cara que deve ser protegida.

A country's sovereignty is an expensive jewel that must be protected.

Poetic/rhetorical usage.

6

Mesmo sendo uma obra cara, o retorno sobre o investimento é garantido.

Even though it is an expensive project, the return on investment is guaranteed.

Business/economic register.

7

A vaidade é uma amante cara e exigente.

Vanity is an expensive and demanding mistress.

Literary personification.

8

Não há justificativa plausível para uma tarifa tão exorbitantemente cara.

There is no plausible justification for such an exorbitantly expensive fare.

Highly formal vocabulary.

1

A paz, quando comprada com a submissão, revela-se uma mercadoria demasiadamente cara.

Peace, when bought with submission, proves to be an overly expensive commodity.

Complex philosophical syntax.

2

A negligência ambiental é uma fatura cara que legaremos às futuras gerações.

Environmental negligence is an expensive invoice we will bequeath to future generations.

Elevated register, verb 'legar'.

3

Embora a iguaria fosse cara, o seu sabor efêmero não justificava o dispêndio.

Although the delicacy was expensive, its ephemeral taste did not justify the expenditure.

Literary vocabulary ('iguaria', 'efêmero', 'dispêndio').

4

A arrogância intelectual é, sem dúvida, a mais cara das ilusões humanas.

Intellectual arrogance is, without a doubt, the most expensive of human illusions.

Rhetorical assertion.

5

Custou-lhe a própria sanidade, uma moeda assaz cara para qualquer mortal.

It cost him his own sanity, a rather expensive coin for any mortal.

Archaic/literary adverb 'assaz'.

6

A infraestrutura, outrora considerada cara, provou ser o alicerce do desenvolvimento.

The infrastructure, once considered expensive, proved to be the foundation of development.

Use of 'outrora'.

7

A lealdade não é cara; ela é, por definição, inegociável e impagável.

Loyalty is not expensive; it is, by definition, non-negotiable and priceless.

Semantic contrast.

8

Pagou uma pena cara pelos seus desvios de conduta na juventude.

He paid an expensive penalty for his youthful misconduct.

Metaphorical 'pena cara'.

자주 쓰는 조합

muito cara
mais cara
super cara
vida cara
roupa cara
casa cara
passagem cara
conta cara
mensalidade cara
decisão cara

자주 쓰는 구문

sair cara
ficar cara
estar cara
ser cara
cada vez mais cara
a mais cara de todas
uma brincadeira cara
uma lição cara
uma vitória cara
pagar caro (adverbial)

자주 혼동되는 단어

cara vs Caro (Masculine form of expensive)

cara vs Cara (Noun meaning face)

cara vs Cara (Slang noun meaning guy/dude)

관용어 및 표현

"custar os olhos da cara"
"pela hora da morte"
"um absurdo de cara"
"preço de ouro"
"faca de dois gumes (contextual)"
"pagar o pato (contextual cost)"
"sair o tiro pela culatra (expensive mistake)"
"sangrar o bolso"
"deixar as calças"
"preço salgado"

혼동하기 쉬운

cara vs

cara vs

cara vs

cara vs

cara vs

문장 패턴

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사용법

pre vs post noun

Post-noun (uma bolsa cara) = expensive bag. Pre-noun (uma cara amiga) = dear friend.

literal vs figurative

Literally means high financial cost. Figuratively means a high cost in effort, emotion, or consequences (e.g., uma vitória cara).

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'caro' with a feminine noun (e.g., saying 'A casa é caro' instead of 'A casa é cara').
  • Forgetting to make 'cara' plural when the noun is plural (e.g., saying 'As roupas são cara' instead of 'caras').
  • Placing 'cara' before the noun when trying to say 'expensive' (e.g., 'uma cara bolsa' means 'a dear bag', not an expensive one).
  • Changing the adverb 'caro' to 'cara' when modifying a verb (e.g., 'A viagem custou cara' is wrong; it should be 'custou caro').
  • Confusing the adjective 'cara' with the slang noun 'cara' (dude) in spoken Portuguese.

팁

Always Check the Noun

Before writing or saying 'cara', look at the noun it belongs to. If the noun ends in 'o' or uses the article 'o', you probably need 'caro'. If it ends in 'a' or uses 'a', use 'cara'.

Soft 'R' Sound

The 'r' in 'cara' is a soft, tapped 'r', similar to the 'tt' in the American English word 'butter'. Do not use a hard, guttural 'r' sound, or it will sound like a different word.

Pre-noun vs Post-noun

Remember the golden rule of placement. 'Bolsa cara' = expensive bag. 'Cara amiga' = dear friend. The position changes the meaning completely.

Learn the Antonym

Always learn adjectives in pairs. The opposite of 'cara' is 'barata' (cheap). They follow the exact same rules for gender and number agreement.

Use 'Tá' for 'Está'

In casual spoken Portuguese, especially in Brazil, people rarely say 'A carne está cara'. They shorten it to 'A carne tá cara'. Practice this for a more natural flow.

Boost with 'Super'

A very common, informal way to say something is very expensive is to use 'super' before it. 'A viagem foi super cara'. It sounds very natural in daily conversation.

Eyes of the Face

If something is unbelievably expensive, use the idiom 'custa os olhos da cara'. It literally means it costs the eyes of the face, equivalent to an arm and a leg.

Avoid Adverb Confusion

When modifying a verb (e.g., it cost a lot), use the invariable adverb 'caro': 'A casa custou caro'. Do not change it to 'cara' even if the noun is feminine.

Context is King

If you hear 'cara' and it doesn't make sense as 'expensive', check if it's being used as a noun (the face) or slang (the guy). The surrounding words will tell you.

Supermarket Practice

Next time you go to the supermarket, mentally label the feminine items as 'cara' or 'barata' in Portuguese. 'A maçã é cara', 'A banana é barata'. It builds instant recall.

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Think of a CAR that ends in A (CAR-A). Cars are usually very EXPENSIVE.

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In Brazil, you will often hear 'salgada' used as a slang synonym for 'cara'.

In Portugal, the expression 'pela hora da morte' is frequently used to describe something outrageously 'cara'.

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"Você não acha que a comida aqui é muito cara?"

"Qual foi a coisa mais cara que você já comprou?"

"A gasolina na sua cidade também está cara?"

"Você prefere comprar uma roupa cara que dure muito, ou várias baratas?"

"Por que a vida nas capitais é sempre mais cara?"

일기 주제

Escreva sobre uma vez que você comprou algo muito caro. Valeu a pena?

Como você lida com as coisas ficando mais caras no supermercado?

Descreva a casa dos seus sonhos. Ela seria muito cara?

Qual é a diferença entre algo ser 'caro' e algo ser 'valioso' para você?

Você acha que a educação deveria ser cara ou gratuita? Por quê?

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In Portuguese, adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they describe. 'Casa' is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine adjective 'cara'. 'Carro' is a masculine noun, so it takes the masculine adjective 'caro'. This is a fundamental rule of Portuguese grammar. Always check the noun's gender first.

Yes, 'cara' has multiple meanings depending on its grammatical role. As an adjective placed before a noun (minha cara amiga), it means 'dear'. As a noun ('a cara'), it means 'the face'. As a slang noun ('o cara'), it means 'the guy' or 'dude'. Context is key.

You can say 'muito cara' or 'super cara'. The word 'muito' acts as an adverb here, so it does not change gender; it remains 'muito' even though 'cara' is feminine. You can also use the suffix '-íssima' to say 'caríssima' (extremely expensive).

'Ser cara' implies that the item is inherently or permanently expensive, like a diamond or a luxury mansion. 'Estar cara' implies a temporary state, usually due to market conditions or inflation, like tomatoes being expensive this week. This distinction is very common in Portuguese.

Yes, 'cara' as an adjective meaning expensive is standard Portuguese and is used universally in both Portugal and Brazil, as well as in other Portuguese-speaking countries. The slang noun 'cara' (dude) is mostly Brazilian, but the adjective is universal.

To make 'cara' plural, you simply add an 's' to the end, making it 'caras'. You must do this whenever the feminine noun it describes is also plural. For example, 'a bolsa cara' becomes 'as bolsas caras'.

If you use 'cara' to describe a person financially, it sounds strange, like they cost a lot of money to maintain. However, if you place it before the noun ('minha cara esposa'), it means 'my dear wife'. Do not use it after a person's name to mean rich; use 'rica' instead.

In formal or academic writing, 'dispendiosa' or 'onerosa' are excellent synonyms. They convey the idea of requiring a large expenditure of money without sounding too colloquial. 'Custosa' is also a good option.

'Sair cara' is an idiomatic expression that translates to 'end up being expensive'. It is often used when a situation, a mistake, or an event ends up costing more money or causing more trouble than anticipated. For example, 'Essa brincadeira vai sair cara'.

To say 'less expensive', you use the comparative structure 'menos cara'. For example, 'A água é menos cara que o vinho' (Water is less expensive than wine). You can also simply use the antonym 'mais barata' (cheaper).

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