Meaning
To state that something has a high price.
Cultural Background
The 'Custo Brasil' refers to the high prices of electronics and cars due to heavy import taxes. Brazilians often travel abroad just to buy these items cheaper. In Portugal, it's common to use 'caríssimo' or 'um balúrdio' when complaining about the rising cost of housing in Lisbon and Porto. Luanda has frequently been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world for expats, making 'é muito caro' a daily phrase for many. Bargaining (pechinchar) is a social skill. Saying 'é muito caro' is not an insult to the seller, but the start of a social interaction.
The 'Estar' Trick
Use 'Está muito caro' when you want to complain to a vendor. It implies the price is high *right now* and they should lower it for you.
Adverb Alert
Never say 'muita cara'. Adverbs like 'muito' don't change for gender when they describe an adjective.
Meaning
To state that something has a high price.
The 'Estar' Trick
Use 'Está muito caro' when you want to complain to a vendor. It implies the price is high *right now* and they should lower it for you.
Adverb Alert
Never say 'muita cara'. Adverbs like 'muito' don't change for gender when they describe an adjective.
The 'Nossa' Factor
In Brazil, always start the phrase with 'Nossa!' to show genuine shock. It makes your Portuguese sound much more natural.
Test Yourself
Complete with the correct form of 'caro' or 'cara'.
A casa é muito ____.
'Casa' is a feminine singular noun.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the right option:
'Muito' is an adverb (invariable) and 'cara' agrees with 'blusa'.
Match the item with the correct phrase.
Items: 1. O relógio, 2. As bolsas, 3. A caneta
Matching gender and number is key.
Complete the dialogue.
Vendedor: 'Custa 1000 euros.' Cliente: 'Nossa, ____!'
1000 euros is a high price for most common items.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ser vs Estar with Caro
Synonyms for Expensive
Neutral
- • Muito caro
- • Custa muito
Slang
- • Salgado
- • Uma facada
Idiom
- • Olhos da cara
- • Uma fortuna
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA casa é muito ____.
'Casa' is a feminine singular noun.
Select the right option:
'Muito' is an adverb (invariable) and 'cara' agrees with 'blusa'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching gender and number is key.
Vendedor: 'Custa 1000 euros.' Cliente: 'Nossa, ____!'
1000 euros is a high price for most common items.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's very formal. 'Caro Sr. Silva' is common in business, but for friends, use 'Querido'.
Because 'muito' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'caro'. Adverbs are invariable.
No, it's a neutral statement of fact. However, your tone of voice can make it sound like a complaint.
The opposite is 'barato' (cheap).
You can say 'caro demais' or 'muito caro'. Both work well.
The phrase is the same, but Brazilians use it more often in casual negotiation.
It's better to say 'O preço é alto' or 'É caro'. 'Preço caro' is slightly redundant.
It's the absolute superlative, meaning 'extremely expensive'.
Only in formal addresses (Dear Sir). Using it to mean 'expensive' for a person is slangy and can be rude.
It's a common Brazilian slang for expensive, literally meaning 'salty'.
Related Phrases
É barato
contrastIt is cheap
Custa uma fortuna
similarIt costs a fortune
É uma pechincha
contrastIt's a bargain
Está salgado
slangIt's salty
