alto preço

You use alto preço when you want to emphasize the scale of cost.

Usually, it functions as a noun phrase in a sentence.

You might say something has or carries an alto preço.

Speaker A: "Esse relógio é maravilhoso, não acha?"

Speaker B: "Sim, mas ele tem um alto preço para o meu bolso!"

Note how Speaker B uses it to set a boundary on their budget.

It sounds more sophisticated than just saying something is "too much money."

It is like wearing a suit to a conversation about your bank account.

Let's look at how this pops up in your daily digital life.

You might see a TikTok about a luxury travel destination.

The caption says: "Beleza infinita, mas um alto preço por noite."

Or maybe you are reading a business article on a news app.

The headline reads: "O alto preço do petróleo afeta os mercados."

In a WhatsApp group, a friend might complain about a new iPhone.

"O novo modelo é incrível, mas o alto preço me desanima."

It even works when talking about your health or your time.

"Trabalhar 15 horas por dia tem um alto preço para a saúde."

Use this phrase when the cost is objectively or subjectively significant.

It is perfect for professional settings like job interviews or meetings.

If you are discussing project budgets, alto preço sounds very professional.

It is also great for philosophical moments with your friends.

When discussing life choices, it adds a layer of dramatic weight.

Use it when you want to sound educated and precise about value.

It is the "grown-up" way to talk about being expensive.

Don't use alto preço for small, everyday items like a pack of gum.

Saying a piece of candy has an alto preço sounds like a joke.

Unless that candy is made of gold, stick to caro for small things.

Also, avoid using it when you are talking about people's traits.

You wouldn't say a person has an alto preço to mean they are valuable.

That sounds like you are trying to buy them, which is awkward.

Keep it for items, services, consequences, and abstract concepts like freedom.

Learners often mix up adjectives and nouns when talking about money.

If you say preço caro, natives will know you are a beginner.

It's a redundancy, like saying "wet water" or "cold ice."

Stick to alto for the price and caro for the object itself.

"O carro é caro, por isso tem um alto preço."

If you want to sound more like a local, try preço salgado.

This literally means "salty price" and is very common in Brazil.

It implies the price is so high it leaves a bad taste.

For a very formal report, use custo elevado instead.

Custo elevado sounds like something a CEO would say in a board room.

On the flip side, caríssimo is just a very intense way of saying expensive.

Each one has its own flavor, so choose based on your audience.

You will often see the verb pagar (to pay) combined with this phrase.

Pagar um alto preço is a very common idiom for facing consequences.

"Ele pagou um alto preço por sua desonestidade."

You can also use preço altíssimo for something truly astronomical.

In advertising, you might see preço justo (fair price) as an opposite.

Knowing these variations helps you navigate a Portuguese menu or contract.

It's like having a map for the world of Portuguese commerce.

Is alto preço formal? It is neutral but leans towards professional usage.

Can I use it for a salary? We usually say salário alto instead.

What is the opposite? The opposite is baixo preço or preço baixo.

Does it work for sacrifices? Yes, it is very common for metaphorical costs.

Is preço grande ever used? Almost never, it sounds very unnatural to natives.